HSSA: Anthropology (S) (ANTH)

Examines human adaptation and diversity as well as the development and variety of economic, political, religious, family, gender and expressive institutions.

Examines the changing political, economic, and cultural orders in East Asia. (NOTE: formerly Intro to East Asian History)

Introduces the major figures, tenets, and cultural adaptions of Islam from Muhammad to the present day.

Explores modern Chinese history from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) to the present day.

Analyzes the relations among health, illness, social institutions and cultural representations.Students must consider intellectually challenging materials on health and disease cross-culturally as well as reconsider their own social beliefs about bodies and the causes and responses to their vulnerabilities.

Examines the concept of addiction - a frequently used yet rather imprecise term -- from a variety of perspectives to better understand this complex term and cultural concept.

Examines food as a focus for deeper inquiry into culture, identity, national development, globalization and social change.

Examines how race and racism persist as influential and divisive forces in contemporary life. Considers the historical, biological, and cultural dimensions of these topics with the goal of developing a clear understanding of how racism persists and identifying avenues to challenge its corrosive societal influences.

Analyzes cultural, social, and sacred significance of faith-based practices, ritualists, and holy places.

Examines the production and consumption of pop culture in China including literature, music, film, and print media.

Introduces students to China's "official" religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism) and the rich faith-based belief systems that are prominent in contemporary China (Shamanism, local deities, etc.).(NOTE: Formerly Asian Religions and Philosophy)

Introduces contemporary Japan from an anthropological perspective with an emphasis on the contradictions between hyper-modernity and traditionalism.

Provides students a firm grounding in Western intellectual engagement with Japan, particularly from an anthropological perspective. Considers how Japan has been created and framed as a site of study through close readings of relevant ethnographic literature.

Examine Japanese culture in various aspects (e.g., society, arts, history, education, media, and pop culture).

Explores Tokyo from its origins to contemporary place as a "global capital" through history, geography, and culture.

Examines the localization of Islam among China's ten officially recognized Muslim ethno-national groups.

Introduces students to the concepts of ethnic group, ethnicity, and nationalism and explores how ethnonational identity is institutionalized, constructed, and negotiated in contemporary China.

This course surveys the historical events, personages, and socio-political movements that shaped and shape meanings of Tibetan-ness.

Examines a selected topic in one of the HSSA disciplines in depth. A particular offering may require a prerequisite.

Allows for individual study of an HSSA topic selected by the instructor and the student(s). A plan of study, regular meetings with the instructor, and a major term project are required.