SOC 113 Cultural Anthropology

3 credit hours

Cultural Anthropology focuses on the description and analysis of learned and shared behaviors and ideas (e.g. culture). Learning how and why groups (micro-cultures; macro-cultures) are different and resemble each other are major goals in anthropology. This course begins with an introduction to anthropology, its methods and the concept of culture. Social stratification, cultural change, and interactions between cultures and their natural environments serve as underlying themes woven into the cross-cultural comparisons of technological systems, economic organizations, social reproduction, political organizations, and symbolic systems. A section on contemporary cultural change and the various roles played by anthropologists in these processes concludes the course. Research conducted on past and present cultures throughout the world is used to illustrate these concepts. Students use anthropological frameworks and methods to enhance their understandings of creative processes. This includes the refinement of empathic skills and the further development of their critical thinking abilities, using social justice perspectives. A variety of interactive educational methodologies, including service-learning assignments, are used in the course.

Prerequisite: None
Liberal Arts: Social Science
Course is Offered: FA and WI Every Year