Anthropology Course Descriptions

APG 140X

Anti-Black Racism and White Supremacy

(1 cr.) Cross-listed (SOC), APG 140X. Examine key causes and consequences of anti-black racism and white supremacy in the United States. Reflect and engage with a learning community on these issues. (Online) S/U only.

APG 200

Language and Culture

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (APG), LIN 200. Introduction to anthropological approaches to the study of language. Focuses on cross-cultural language diversity, taking into account how geography, history, colonization, gender, racial, ethnic identities shape linguistic and cultural practices. (Lec. 3) (A2) (C3)

APG 201

Human Origins and Evolution

(3 crs.) The biocultural evolution of humans. An investigation into humankind's place in nature, including a review of the living primates, human genetics and development, evolutionary theory, and the human fossil record. (Lec. 3/Online) (A1) (C3)

APG 202

Introduction to Archaeology

(3 crs.) Archaeological perspectives on the major developments in humanity's past, from the evolution of the earliest humans to the emergence of agriculture and the earliest urban civilizations. (Lec. 3) (A2) (C2)

APG 203

Cultural Anthropology

(3 crs.) Anthropological approaches to the study of peoples and cultures around the world. (Lec. 3) (A2)

APG 282G

Sapiens: The Changing Nature of Human Evolution

(3 crs.) Cross-listed with (BIO), APG 282G. Study of human origins and history in order to understand Homo sapiens as a significant cause of evolutionary change, including an in-depth description of our widespread influence on Earth's systems. (Lec. 3) Pre: Sophomore or higher standing. (A1) (C2) (GC)

APG 302

Methods of Anthropological Inquiry

(3 crs.) Logic, techniques, and problems in obtaining true information in anthropological inquiry. Problems from anthropological field work and use of cross-cultural data. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 203 or permission of instructor. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

APG 303

Archaeology of the Americas

(3 crs.) Archaeology of the Americas before and during the period of European contact, including evidence for the earliest human occupation, social complexity, and human impacts on the environment. (Lec. 3)

APG 304

Coastal Archaeology

(3 crs.) Exploration of issues and controversies in coastal archaeology, including human adaptation through time, oceanic colonization, the preservation and study of coastal sites, and relevance to current environmental and social issues. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 202 or permission of instructor.

APG 308

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Cultures

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (APG), SOC, GWS 308. Comparative study of sustainable food systems and cultures focusing on the sociocultural dynamics of production, distribution, and consumption. Areas include comparative food systems, indigenous food cultures, gender and food, food equity, and food movements. (Lec. 3) Pre: sophomore standing.

APG 308H

Honors Section of APG/SOC/GWS 308: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Cultures

(3 crs.) Honors Section of APG/SOC/GWS 308: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Cultures. (Lec. 3) Pre: 3.40 overall gpa and sophomore standing.

APG 310

Topics in Anthropology

(3 crs.) Analytical study of selected topics in anthropology. Subjects will vary according to the expertise and availability of instructors. (Lec. 3) Pre: one anthropology course or permission of instructor. May be repeated with different topic.

APG 310H

Honors Section of APG 310: Topics in Anthropology

(3 crs.) Honors section of APG 310: Topics in Anthropology. (Lec. 3) Pre: 3.40 overall gpa and one anthropology course, or permission of instructor. May be repeated with different topic.

APG 311

Native North Americans

(3 crs.) Survey of selected North American Indian groups from before European contact to the present. Modern reservation life; influence of the federal government on Indian life. (Lec. 3)

APG 316

U.S. Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs: Anthropological Approaches

(3 crs.) Introduction to Latinas/Latinos/Latinxs in U.S. culture, history, politics, and everyday life. Course examines how a heterogeneous and changing Latino/a/x population shapes, and is shaped by life in the United States. (Lec. 3) Pre: sophomore standing.

APG 319

Cultural Behavior and Environment

(3 crs.) Cultural adaptations made by traditional and industrial societies to natural and human environments using examples from prehistory and ethnography. (Lec. 3)

APG 320

Sociolinguistics

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (LIN), APG 320. Presentation of the major areas of micro- and macro-sociolinguistics: speech acts, registers, repertoires, language attitudes, social correlates of phonological and syntactic features and changes. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG/LIN 200 or 220.

APG 325G

American Dilemma: Who "Owns" Native America?

(3 crs.) Examines researchers’ perceived rights to ownership of Native American bodies, languages, and human remains. Ultimately, we seek to answer the question: Who “owns” Native America? (Lec. 3) (A2) (C3) (GC)

APG 328

Gender and Culture

(3 crs.) Analytical study of gender in a cross-cultural context, discussion of the possible origins of gender and subsistence modes, and an examination of societies with flexible or unusual gender systems. (Lec. 3) Pre: one APG course or permission of instructor.

APG 329

Contemporary Mexican Society

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (SOC), APG 329. Examines the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of contemporary Mexico. Demographic composition, economic and political development, civil society and women's political participation, indigenous issues and rights, U.S.-Mexico relations and bilateral issues, and human rights. (Lec. 3) Pre: SOC course at the 200-level or APG 203.

APG 345

Introduction to Medical Anthropology

(3 crs.) Overview of the perspectives, theories, and methods used by contemporary medical anthropologists. Cross cultural approach to human health and disease with emphasis on biological, ecological, political, economic, and cultural factors. (Online)

APG 370

Decolonial Ecologies

(3 crs.) Examines Afro-descendant and Indigenous lives, cultural ecology, local ecological knowledge, environmental justice, and initiatives and organizing efforts to resist on-going threats to coastal livelihoods throughout the Americas. (Seminar) Pre: Sophomore standing and APG 200 or APG 203; or permission of instructor

APG 377

Undergraduate Teaching Experience in Anthropology/Sociology

(1-3 crs.) Cross-listed as (APG), SOC 377. Introduces students to various aspects of college level teaching while working under the supervision of course instructors and/or faculty members in Anthropology or Sociology. (Practicum 1-3) Pre: Permission of instructor. Not for major credit. S/U only.

APG 392G

The URI Campus: A Walk Through Time

(3 cr.) Cross-listed as (HIS), APG 392G. This course explores the complexities of the land upon which URI sits. The University of Rhode Island (URI) was founded in 1892, but the history of the land and this space is much older and intertwined with the history of the Narragansett People. This course highlights some of this history. (Lec. 3) (A3) (C3) (GC)

APG 392X

The URI Campus: A Walk Through Time

(1 cr.) Cross-listed as (HIS), APG 392X. Exploration of the complexities of place and power through time. URI was founded in 1892, but the history of this space is much older and intertwined with the Narragansett People. (Online) S/U only.

APG 396

Archaeology Field School

(3-6 crs.) Cross-list as (HIS) APG 396. Archaeology field experience, usually provided through a terrestrial or underwater field school. (Lec. 3-6, Lab.) Pre: permission of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.

APG 399

Sex and Reproduction in Our Species

(3 crs.) An investigation of the biological, behavioral, and cultural components of human reproduction, including mating and parenting behaviors, as well as making, growing, and raising offspring, all in an evolutionary context. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 201, or permission of instructor.

APG 401

Anthropological Theory and Practice

(3 crs.) Overview of historical and contemporary anthropological theory; read major theoretical works by anthropologists to examine how they inform cultural theory, help us formulate cultural analysis and understandings of sociocultural life. (Seminar) Pre: APG 200 or 203, and junior standing; or permission of instructor.

APG 411

(300) Paleoanthropology

(3 crs.) Investigation into the biocultural evolution of hominins, beginning with hominoids 23 million years ago; course based on evidence from fossil bones and teeth, artifacts, and paleoecological reconstruction. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 201 and 202, or permission of instructor. Not for graduate credit.

APG 412

Primatology

(6 crs.) Investigation of the behavior of wild and captive prosimians, monkeys, and apes, and anthropological application of primate data for conservation and reconstructing human origins. (Lec. 5, Lab.1) Pre: APG 201 or permission of instructor. (A2)

APG 413

Peoples of the Sea

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (APG), MAF 413. Examination of human sociocultural adaptation to the seas. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 203 or MAF 100 or graduate status. Open only to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

APG 414

Culture and Cognition

(3 crs.) Explores relationship between human society, human culture and human thought through an examination of biocultural aspects of human cognition and their implications for the understanding of culture. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 200 or APG 201 or APG 202 or APG 203. Not for graduate credit.

APG 415

Migration in the Americas

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (APG), SOC 415. Contemporary trends in migration in the Americas with a focus on migratory flows from Latin America to the United States. Migration theories, unauthorized migration, anti-immigration discourses, inter-migration in Latin America, gender dynamics, transnationalism, refugees and the internally displaced, and immigration policies in the Americas. (Lec. 3) Pre: open only to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

APG 417

Archaeological Method and Theory

(3 crs.) Theoretical and methodological approaches in archaeology, with an emphasis on skills and knowledge needed by professionals in the field, including ethical responsibilities. Laboratory demonstrations. (Lec. 3) Pre: APG 202 and junior standing; or permission of instructor.

APG 427

Senior Seminar: Unity of Anthropology

(4 crs.) Capstone course for anthropology program, with emphasis on all four subfields. Majors will integrate subfields and apply anthropological thinking to contemporary environmental, social, or health issues. Includes career development component. (Seminar, Indp. Study) Pre: APG 200, APG 201, APG 202, APG 203 and senior standing, or permission of instructor. (D1)

APG 465

Seminar in Cultural Heritage

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (ART), APG 465. Investigates how global development, commercialization, and conflicts affect humankind's cultural heritage. Examines some ethical issues and legal strategies for protecting cultural sites, artifacts, and traditional folkways. (Lec. 3) Pre: at least 3 credits at the 300-level in anthropology, art history, or history; or permission of the instructor.

APG 470

Directed Research in Anthropology

(3-6 crs.) Self-guided study and research, seminar, or individual program. (Independent Study) Pre: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit for a total of 6 credits.

APG 471

Critical Island Studies

(3 crs.) Cross listed as (MAF), APG 471. A critical approach to island studies with a focus on Caribbean and Pacific small islands and the history of island studies. Topics include tourism, climate change, development, culture, and conservation. (Seminar)

APG 472

Critical Studies of Tourism and Ecotourism

(3 crs.) Cross listed as (MAF), APG 472. Analysis of domestic and international case studies emphasizing concepts and critical thinking around issues pertaining to coastal tourism, recreation, ecotourism, the history of tourism, and consumption. (Seminar)

APG 475G

Global Perspectives on Reproduction

(3 crs.) Cross-list with (SOC), APG, GWS 475G. Explores the impact of inequalities of race, class, age, gender and sexuality on global variations in contraception, fertility, childbirth, and parenthood, and the ethical issues and social forces affecting reproduction. (Seminar) Pre: 300-level coursework in sociology, anthropology, gender and women's studies, or health studies; or permission of the instructor. (A2) (C2)

APG 477

Internship

(3 crs.) Supervised professional experience with a relevant agency or organization. Activities and expectations to be determined between site supervisor and intern and approved by a faculty advisor, prior to registration. Not for graduate credit. S/U only.

APG 490

Underwater Historical Archaeology

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (HIS), APG 490. Methodological and theoretical foundations of underwater historical archaeology. Examines the contribution of shipwrecks and other inundated sites to our understanding of the global nature of modern life. (Seminar) Pre: at least 3 credits of course work at the 300-level in history, anthropology or art history, or permission of instructor.

APG 565

Seminar in Cultural Heritage

(3 crs.) Cross-listed as (ART), APG 565. Investigates how global development, commercialization, and conflicts affect humankind's cultural heritage. Examines some ethical issues and legal strategies for protecting cultural sites, artifacts, and traditional folkways. (Lec.) Pre: 300-level coursework in anthropology, art history, or history; or permission of instructor.