This is an archived copy of the 2014-2015 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu.

Anthropology

http://www.miracosta.edu/ANTH

Anthropologists study human behavior from a biological, historical, cultural, and social perspective. Students take anthropology courses to prepare for a major or to fulfill general education requirements. A bachelor's degree in anthropology can lead to a career in data analysis, social services, education, journalism, advertising, international relations, government service, field research, contract archaeology, museums, zoological parks, and nonprofit organizations.

Contact Information

Chairs: Lynne Miller (Fall 2014), Herschel Stern (Spring 2015)

Dean: Carlos Lopez

www.miracosta.edu/ANTH

Department: Social Science

Office: Building OC3600, 760.757.2121 x6924

Full-Time Faculty

Lynne Miller
How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

ANTH 101: Biological Anthropology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in ANTH 101H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course examines the biological basis for animal forms and behaviors, including basic genetics and evolution theory; primate classification, ecology, and social behavior; the fossil and archaeological evidence for early human life; and the evolutionary basis for modern human variation in appearance and behavior.

ANTH 101H: Biological Anthropology (Honors)

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in ANTH 101.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course examines the biological basis for animal forms and behaviors, including basic genetics and evolution theory; primate classification, ecology, and social behavior; the fossil and archaeological evidence for early human lifeways; and the evolutionary basis for modern human variation in appearance and behavior. As an honors course, it offers expanded analysis of lecture materials, increased dependence upon student participation on a daily basis, and the opportunity for students to conduct research in relevant areas of interest, and thus targets highly motivated students who are looking for a more challenging academic experience. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for ANTH 101 or ANTH 101H.

ANTH 101L: Biological Anthropology Laboratory

Units: 1
Prerequisites: ANTH 101 or ANTH 101H.
Corequisite: ANTH 101 or ANTH 101H if prerequisite not met.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Laboratory 3 hours. (2202.00)

Designed to accompany Anthropology 101, this laboratory allows students to garner practical, hands-on experience with the scientific method, genetic models, simulations of evolutionary processes, primate skeletal anatomy, primate behavior and ecology, human osteology, and casts and tools representing selected stages in human evolution.

ANTH 102: Cultural Anthropology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in ANTH 102H.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course explores the fundamental characteristics of culture, including its structure, function, and means of change; the science of studying human culture; and human cultural variation in major topics, such as mode of subsistence, gender roles, kinship structures, political organizations, art, ritual, and celebrations of the human life cycle.

ANTH 102H: Cultural Anthropology (Honors)

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in ANTH 102.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC Credit limitation
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This honors course offers highly motivated students an advanced introduction to the study of human culture, including its structure, function, and means of change; the science and practical applications of studying human culture; and human cultural variation in major topics, such as mode of subsistence, gender roles, language, kinship structures, political organizations, art, and ritual. UC CREDIT LIMITATION: Credit for ANTH 102 or ANTH 102H.

ANTH 103: Introduction to Archaeology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.20)

This course explores archaeological theory and method, including techniques of field excavations and laboratory research. It also uses archaeological data to understand cultures of the past, including Stone Age lifeways, early farming cultures, and emergent civilizations around the world, such as the ancient Egyptians, Maya, and Inca.

ANTH 104: Native American Cultures

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course explores the diversity of Native American cultures, including paleoindians (known largely from archaeological evidence) and more recent groups (known from ethnographic accounts). The course employs the perspective of cultural ecology to investigate how environments influence many facets of human culture, including economic systems, social systems, family structure, and art and ritual.

ANTH 190: Primate Behavior and Ecology

Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU, UC
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course explores principles of animal behavior and ecology from an evolutionary perspective. Topics include predator avoidance, foraging strategies, mating behaviors, mother-infant bonding, the development of social groups, and cognition. The course also addresses research methodology and requires an observational project of primates at the San Diego Zoo and/or San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

ANTH 292: Internship Studies

Units: 0.5-3
Prerequisites: None
Corequisite: Complete 75 hrs paid or 60 hrs non-paid work per unit.
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor, dept chair, and Career Center approval. May not enroll in any combination of cooperative work experience and/or internship studies concurrently.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU

This course provides students the opportunity to apply the theories and techniques of their discipline in an internship position in a professional setting under the instruction of a faculty-mentor and site supervisor. It introduces students to aspects of the roles and responsibilities of professionals employed in the field of study. Topics include goal-setting, employability skills development, and examination of the world of work as it relates to the student's career plans. Students must develop new learning objectives and/or intern at a new site upon each repetition. Students may not earn more than 16 units in any combination of cooperative work experience (general or occupational) and/or internship studies during community college attendance.

ANTH 296: Topics in Anthropology

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 1 hour.
Lecture 2 hours.
Lecture 3 hours. (2202.00)

This course gives students an opportunity to study topics in Anthropology that are not included in regular course offerings. Each Topics course is announced, described, and given its own title and 296 number designation in the class schedule.

ANTH 298: Directed Study in Anthropology

Units: 1-3
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment Limitation: Instructor and department chair approval and successful completion of 12 units of college work with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Laboratory 3 hours
Laboratory 6 hours
Laboratory 9 hours. (2202.00)

This course allows students to pursue a special area of interest in order to achieve specific goals beyond the scope of existing courses within the discipline. Students work independently and interact directly with an instructor on an individual basis and as prescribed by the Directed Study Agreement.