Introduction to Anthropology

ATH 101

This course provides an introduction to anthropology, the study of human beings across the globe today and as they existed deep into the far reaches of the past. Humans are complex beings, both biologically and culturally. This is why anthropology is holistic—which means it studies all aspects of the bio-cultural systems that comprise humanity—and comparative, meaning anthropology looks at human cultures across the world side by side. In order to understand ourselves, anthropologists join many disparate methods and tools to explain how humans interact with each other and how they function. Anthropologists examine our biological and evolutionary roots and explore the developments of culture from both prehistoric and historical periods. They also probe the unique human ability to develop culture through communication. In the United States, anthropology is divided into four subfields that have specialized in these different aspects of human complexity: cultural anthropology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. In this course you will learn about these four fields, their unique methods, and how they are applied to solve global issues in today's complex and rapidly changing world.