Graduate Courses

A602 Proseminar in Cultural Anthropology
Examines major concepts, findings, and theories in cultural anthropology. Topics covered include kinship, social structure, political organization, symbols and ceremonies, cultural change, and cultural integration. Core offering for graduate program.

A605 Proseminar in Biological Anthropology
Methods and techniques of and theoretical approaches to topics in biological anthropology. Includes the study of evolution, human genetics, primate biology and behavior, human evolution, and statistical interpretation of biological data.

A611 Proseminar in Archaeology
A survey of the practice and techniques of modern archaeological data collection and analysis designed for graduate students, professionals, and other serious students. Case studies, class discussions based on readings, and student presentations emphasized with a focus upon the archaeology of prestate/nonstate societies.

A615 Advanced Applied Anthropology
Usually stacked with A415. The methods, theory, and history of the application of cultural anthropology to sociocultural issues and problems with an emphasis on the circumpolar north. In addition to meeting all requirements for A415, graduate students will be required to make mixed-media class presentations based on literature research or interviews with local practicing anthropologists. Offered Alternate Fall Semesters.

A627 Ethnohistory of Alaska Natives
Usually Usually stacked with A427. Examines major changes in Alaskan Native societies from contact through 1940 including initial contacts, disease, trade, warfare, education, missionization, economic development and political mobilization. Integrates different sources of information including oral traditions, historical narratives, government documents, and archaeological evidence. In addition to meeting all requirements for A427, graduate students will be required to prepare a research paper from primary sources (oral, written, or both) and give a presentation of findings to the class.

A629 Contemporary Alaska Native Society, 1940-Present
Usually stacked with A429. Examines continuity and change in Alaska Native society from 1940 to present covering militarization, Alaska statehood, Alaska Native Land Claims, subsistence, tribal movements, cultural revitalization, and impacts of state and federal policies; regional, economic, political, and cultural changes addressed, and key events and players discussed.

A630 Advanced Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology
Usually stacked with A430. Modes of scientific data gathering, analysis, and interpretation related to sociocultural systems. Includes the logic of scientific inquiry, research design, data recording, computer assisted qualitative data analysis, field work strategies, ethnographic and report writing, ethics in social science research and grant proposal preparation. In addition to meeting all requirements for A430, graduate students will be required to complete a research grant proposal and engage in computer-assisted qualitative data analysis.

A631 Field Methods in Archaeology
Usually stacked with A431. Advanced methods of archaeological field research, including site survey, site excavation, data recovery and recording, laboratory processing, and preliminary analysis of archaeological materials. Graduate students will supervise the work of less experienced undergraduates under the overall supervision of the project directory. They will be responsible for the quality of the excavation and recording of their undergraduate crew. They will be critically evaluated as potential professionals (1-8 CR).

A645 Advanced Evolution of Humans and Disease
Usually stacked with A445. Methods, techniques, and theoretical approaches to human skeletal identification, description, and analysis. Encompasses principles of growth, development, and remodeling as well as identification of age, sex, and racial attributes, and interpretation of pathological changes in human bone. Includes methods and theory of statistical interpretation of skeletal data. In addition to meeting all requirements for A445, graduate students will be assigned more extensive reading and will be required to pursue a major semester-long research project, to deliver a presentation of their research findings to the class, and to report their results in written form. Not available for credit to students who have completed A445.

A655 Advanced Medical Anthropology
Usually stacked with A455. Study of the relationship of human culture to health and disease. Includes ancient disease and impact on human evolution, interrelationship between biology and culture, alternative health systems, and applicability to contemporary problems. In addition to meeting all requirements for A455, graduate students will be required to research the literature on a current topic in medical anthropology or to conduct independent research in medical anthropology, and to submit an extensive, detailed paper summarizing their findings in a rigorous analytical framework. Additional class readings may also be assigned. Not available for credit to students who have completed A455.

A657 Nutritional Anthropology
Usually stacked with A657. Relationship of human culture to food and nutrition. Includes the history of human diet and its relationship to biological and cultural evolution, contemporary human nutrition in cross-cultural perspective, dietary adequacy and nutritional pathology, food-getting and food-preparation technology, and relationship between food and population. In addition to meeting all requirements for A457, graduate students will be required to research the literature on a current topic in nutritional anthropology or to conduct independent research in nutritional anthropology, and to submit an extensive, detailed paper summarizing their findings in a rigorous analytical framework. Additional class readings may also be assigned. Not available for credit to students who have completed A457.

A564 Culture and Globalization
Advanced exploration of the relationship between culture and globalization. Examines global capitalism and ethnographic experiences in the workplace; in the context of transnational migration and diasporas; and through the influence of new information technologies and media on values, beliefs, and practices.

A675 Cultural Resource Management
An integrated anthropological perspective on historic preservation and the management of cultural resources in the United States. Includes the history of resource protection legislation, the design and implementation of cultural resource management projects, proposal writing, field research strategies, resource evaluation, report preparation, and business and personnel practices.

A676 Ethical Issues in Archaeology
Usually stacked with A476. Examination of the ethical issues that confront archaeologists and the responsibilities they have to the public, the discipline, their colleagues, and members of the cultures with whom they are working. Students will encounter ethical dilemmas likely to appear on the job.

A680 Advanced Analytical Techniques in Archaeology
Usually stacked with A480. Advanced methods and techniques of description, classification, and analysis of archaeological data. Laboratory work with archaeological specimens and data is emphasized. In addition to meeting all requirements for A480, graduate students will be assigned more extensive reading and will be required to pursue a major semester-long research project, to deliver a presentation of their research finds to the entire class, and to report their results in written form. The focus of this class will alternate to cover the following topics:

• Zooarchaeology
  Methods and techniques for, and theoretical approaches to, the description, analysis, and interpretation of animal bone assemblages from archaeological sites. Includes identification and quantification of animal remains, paleoenvironmental and dietary reconstruction, seasonality of site occupation, hunting and herding strategies, and the role of animals in the economy and ideology of human societies.

• Lithic Technology
  Analysis of stone tool assemblages from archaeological sites, focusing on tool manufacture, use, and discard processes. Includes tool replication as part of learning the manufacturing process.

• Human Osteology
  Human skeletal identification, description, and analysis. Methods and techniques of the applications of human osteology, including paleopathology, bioarchaeology, and forensic anthropology. Includes identification and analysis of age, sex, and population attributes from human skeletal remains. Lecture and laboratory format.

A681 Advanced Museum Studies in Anthropology
Usually stacked with A481. History and practice of anthropology in museums. Anthropological and metaphysical dimensions of museums and material culture; the history of ethnographic collecting and research (particularly in North America); critical theory and practice of exhibitions and cultural representation; repatriation and indigenous museums in historical context. In addition to doing the work assigned to undergraduates, graduate students will be expected to undertake an extensive collection research or exhibition preparation project which will constitute a significant portion of their grade.

A690 Special Topics in Anthropology
Topics in anthropology presented by members of the professional community (1-3 CR).

A692 Graduate Seminar in Anthropology
Examination of advanced concepts, theory, and/or methodology in one of the four subfields of anthropology.

A695 Anthropology Practicum
Anthropology practicum in the public or private sector. Emphasis on the application of anthropological skills under the supervision of an approved field instructor.

A699 Thesis Research
Independent research conducted under the supervision of a student's graduate committee (1-6 CR).