The Anthropology Curriculum
Sociocultural
Anthropology
*Cultural
Anthropology
*People and Cultures of the World
*Introduction
to Field Methods and Research Design
Biological Anthropology
*Race, Sex,
and Human Evolution
Archaeology
*Discovering
Archaeology
*Field
Archaeology
*Laboratory
Methods in Archaeology
*Czech-American Archaeological
Field School
Special Topics Courses
*North American
Archaeology
*High
Civilizations of Antiquity
*Survey
of Medieval Archaeology
*Field
Laboratory in Archaeology
*Hominid Evolution
Anthropology is the study of the human condition. This includes the study of living and recently extinct societies (sociocultural anthropology), human communications (anthropological linguistics), human origins and biology (biological anthropology), and past societies (archaeology). Importantly, anthropologists also study and learn how to apply their knowledge to the world around them. Today you can find anthropologists in every segment of the world's businesses, from traditional roles as teachers and researchers to serving as consultants for fortune 100 companies and national governments. Similarly, a significant number of anthropologists have found their skills in demand in fields such as management, medicine, and education.
Because anthropologists study such a wide variety of topics and apply their findings to the world around them we call the field holistic. Unlike disciplines that seek to fine a prime mover or principal cause to an event, anthropologists seek to understand all of the variables that go into the development of a given situation or event. As a result anthropologists often find themselves in the unique position to help direct elements of both the private and public sectors in how best to allocate their resources to accomplish specific goals and aims.
At the College of DuPage we focus on three elements in our courses. To begin with we try to ensure that students develop competency in the approaches and ideas that anthropologists use. Secondly, we try to foster critical thinking skills designed to help students question and explore their worlds. Finally, we try to illustrate ways in which anthropological ideas can be applied through critical thought to help students achieve their own goals and ambitions. In this sense anthropology is very much a participant discipline here.
Sociocultural
Anthropology
(A view of modern Prague)
(An illuminated frame narrating a London joust)
Biological Anthropology
(Pan troglodytes staring at
the tourists)
Archaeology
(Dr. Mirek Smid,
Czech-American Archaeological Field School, with a Funnel-Beaker Pot from
Rmiz, Czech Republic)