Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Anthropology

Catalog

Print Options

Download entire catalog

Anthropology

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using the perspective of cultural relativism. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Anthropology
A.A. in Anthropology

Dean Dennis Lee
Department Chair Michael Grofe
Phone (916) 558-2401
Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.

Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using a cultural relativism perspective. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

A ”P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ANTH 300	Biological Anthropology (3)	3
or ANTH 480	Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)	3
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323	Introduction to Archaeology	3
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
ANTH 301	Biological Anthropology Laboratory (1)
ANTH 331	The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 334	Native Peoples of North America (3)
ANTH 341	Introduction to Linguistics (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ANTH 303	Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
or ADMJ 332	Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 324	World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 332	Native Peoples of California (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
or SOC 482	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
SOC 345	Global Women's Issues (3)
or WGS 302	Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units:		18

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
demonstrate content knowledge in broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropologists with baccalaureate or graduate degrees work as archaeological technicians or project directors for private, state or federal organizations, museum managers, forensic specialists in police departments and crime labs, primatologists and zoo curators, teachers, consultants or analysts for private, government or educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Anthropology

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ANTH 300	Biological Anthropology (3)	3
or ANTH 480	Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 301	Biological Anthropology Laboratory	1
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)	3
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323	Introduction to Archaeology (3)	3
or ANTH 324	World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 341	Introduction to Linguistics	3
A minimum of 12 units from the following:		12
ANTH 303	Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
or ADMJ 332	Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 325	Archaeology of Mesoamerica (3)
ANTH 331	The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 332	Native Peoples of California (3)
ANTH 334	Native Peoples of North America (3)
ARTH 304	Ancient Art (3)
or ARTH 484	Ancient Art-Honors (3)
ETHNS 320	Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 330	Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 351	Native American Policy and Law (3)
ETHNS 360	Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOL 310	Historical Geology (3)
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 360	History of African Civilizations (3)
HIST 364	Asian Civilization (3)
HIST 373	History of Mexico (3)
HIST 380	History of the Middle East (3)
SOC 310	Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
or SOC 482	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
WGS 302	Global Women's Issues (3)
or SOC 345	Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units:		25

The Anthropology Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
demonstrate content knowledge in the broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropology (ANTH) Courses

ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B2; IGETC Area 5B
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to the science of biological anthropology. The topics to be covered will include: the field of anthropology; the scientific method; genetics and inheritance; natural selection; principles and mechanics of evolution; evidence of evolution; modern human variation; living primates; and the fossil evidence for human evolution.

ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory

Units:1
Hours:54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:ANTH 300 or 480 with a grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in ANTH 300 or 480.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B3; IGETC Area 5B
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 115L
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This introductory laboratory course is designed to familiarize students with the methods and materials of biological anthropology. Topics of significance covered in the course will include human osteology, forensic anthropology, genetics and evolutionary theory, biological classification, primatology, and the fossil evidence for the evolution of humans and their ancestors.

ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

Same As:ADMJ 332
Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ANTH 300 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area IV
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an overview of forensic anthropology, an applied field of physical anthropology. Forensic anthropology uses the analysis of human skeletal remains to answer medico-legal questions. This course emphasizes current techniques used in analysis of human skeletal remains, medico-legal procedures, and the role of the anthropologist in the investigative process. It examines the basics of bone biology, methods of skeletal analysis, and recognition of bone pathology and trauma. Students may earn credit for either ANTH 303 or ADMJ 332 but not for both.

ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to the variety of customs, traditions, and forms of social organization in societies around the world. The main goal of the course is to understand the importance of culture for both the individual and societies. Anthropological concepts that will be stressed include human culture and language, cultural relativism, holism, ethnocentrism, cross-cultural comparisons, field work, and theory. Topics include the nature of culture, subsistence methods, religion, linguistics, economic systems, political systems, arts, kinship, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, illness and healing, and globalization and culture change.

ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 150
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introduction to the concepts, methods, and theoretical perspectives employed in the scientific study of archaeology. Emphasis will be placed on how data is retrieved from the archaeological record and how it can be used to address questions about the development and evolution of human social systems. Topics will include archaeological theory, survey and excavation methods, laboratory analysis, reconstructing past environments, and drawing conclusions about the past from archaeological data. This course will draw upon examples worldwide archaeological sites.

ANTH 324 World Prehistory

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC (Effective Summer 2020-2021)
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an archaeological survey of World Prehistory from the emergence of human culture through the development of early civilizations. By examining the archaeological record of cultures in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands, students will explore the trajectory of human cultures through several key developments including early ice age adaptations, origins of agriculture, establishment of permanent settlements, the rise of complex social organization, and specialized technologies.

ANTH 325 Archaeology of Mesoamerica

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is a survey of the anthropology and archaeology of Mesoamerica. It includes an anthropological perspective of the characteristics of past and present Mesoamerican cultures, including languages, writing systems, mythological and religious traditions, social and political organization, gender roles, economic systems, agriculture and astronomy. The course reviews history from the pre-Columbian period through colonization and the current era, including contemporary ethnography and issues of representation.
Students who took this course as ANTH 499 are not eligible to take this course.

ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU (formerly ANTH 330); UC (formerly ANTH 330)
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area I; AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 3B; IGETC Area 4A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course surveys the forms and functions of supernatural belief systems and their associated rituals in various societies. Ethnographic examples are utilized in order to study beliefs and rituals within their sociocultural contexts. Comparisons are then drawn in order to understand the functions of religious and magical beliefs and rituals in human life.

ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides a study of the Native inhabitants of California from the prehistoric period to the present time, in addition to offering an introduction to the diversity and complexity of aboriginal California. It includes the environmental adaptation, material culture, social structure, ideology, and response to change. In addition to gaining perspectives on the great diversity of aboriginal cultures in California, the student will examine the impact of the other Native and non-Native groups on those cultures. This course meets the SCC Multicultural Graduation Requirement for comparative examination of diverse culture groups in the U.S.

ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is an introductory survey of traditional Native American societies. In this course students will gain an understanding of the peoples and cultures of North America and evaluate native ecological adaptations, languages, social organizations, religion, mythologies and world view, and artistic representations. Perspectives on changes in traditional life and Native Americans' current social roles and statuses will be included.

ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 130
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course will involve the student in the exploration of language from an anthropological perspective, including the biological basis of language, the role of language in social interaction and world view, minority languages and dialects, bilingualism, literacy, the social motivation of language change, and the impact of language loss. The student will also be introduced to the analytical techniques of linguistics and the demonstration of their relevance to language in sociocultural issues.

ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area IV; CSU Area B2; IGETC Area 5B
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is a seminar-style honors-level introduction to the science of biological anthropology. Topics will include: the field of anthropology; the scientific method; genetics and inheritance; natural selection; principles and mechanics of evolution; evidence of evolution; modern human variation; living primates; and the fossil evidence for human evolution. Honors courses are open to students who demonstrate an ability to write carefully reasoned, well-organized essays of varying lengths, are prepared to make clear oral presentations in class, and are able to actively contribute to seminar discussions. Credit may be earned for ANTH 480 or ANTH 300 but not for both.

ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D1; IGETC Area 4A
C-ID:C-ID ANTH 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course is a seminar-style introduction to the variety of customs, traditions, and forms of social organization in a variety of western and non-western societies. The main goal of the course is to understand the importance of culture for both the individual and societies. Anthropological concepts will be emphasized including human culture and language, cultural relativism, holism, ethnocentrism, cross-cultural comparisons, fieldwork, and theory. Topics include the nature of culture, subsistence methods, religion, linguistics, trade and economic systems, arts, kinship, marriage and family systems, technology, and change. This honors section uses an intensive instructional methodology designed to challenge motivated students. Honors courses are open to students who demonstrate an ability to write carefully reasoned, well-organized essays of varying lengths, are prepared to make clear oral presentations in class, and are able to actively contribute to seminar discussions.

Credit may be earned for ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology, but not for both.

ANTH 495 Independent Studies in Anthropology

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This course provides an opportunity to take a course in anthropology that covers topics that are not part of the regular curriculum. UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions.

ANTH 499 Experimental Offering in Anthropology

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
Catalog Date:August 1, 2024

This is the experimental courses description.