Select a category from the list below to jump to courses.
- Introductory Courses
- Cultural Anthropology: Undergraduate, Mixed, Graduate
- Archaeology: Undergraduate, Mixed, Graduate
- Biological Anthropology: Mixed, Graduate
- Laboratory and Field Training: Undergraduate, Mixed
- Integrative Courses, Research and Reading: Undergraduate, Mixed, Graduate
Introductory Courses
[ACE-SLO-6][ACE-SLO-9][ES] 110 [110c]. Introduction to Anthropology (3 cr)
Introduction to the study of society and culture, integrating
the four major subfields of anthropology: archaeology, cultural
anthropology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.
NOTE: Students who have previously
taken ANTH 100 may not receive credit
for ANTH 110.
[ACE-SLO-6][ES] 130 [130c]. Anthropology of the Great Plains (3 cr)
An introductory survey of the peoples and cultures who have
lived in the Great Plains. It assumes no detailed knowledge of
anthropological concepts and methods. North American and
Euroamerican Plains life-styles from the prehistoric past, early
historic, and modern periods. Emphasis on the ways different
people used and adapted to the Plains. Common themes and
artifacts of Plains people given special treatment.
[ES] 170. Introduction to Great Plains Studies (GEOG,
GPSP, NRES, SOCI 170) (3 cr)
Required for Great Plains Studies majors and minors.
For course description, see GPSP 170.
[ES][IS] 189H. University Honors Seminar (3 cr) Lec.
Prereq: Good standing in University Honors Program or by
invitation. University Honors Seminar is required of all students in
the University Honors Program.
Topics vary.
[ACE-SLO-6][ES][IS] 212 [212c]. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (ETHN 212) (3 cr)
Introduction to ethnology and its subfields. Standard topics,
problems, and theories considered in ethnology, social anthropology,
culture and personality, and applied anthropology.
[ACE-SLO-4][ES][IS] 232 [232c]. Introduction to Prehistory (3 cr)
Introduction to what archaeologists do and what they have
learned about human prehistory. The first half of the course
emphasizes the methods archaeologists use to study the past.
The second half traces the record of human developments up
to the rise of cities.
[ACE-SLO-4][ES][IS] 242. Introduction to Physical Anthropology (3 cr)
Prereq: Parallel ANTH 242L
The scope and objectives of physical anthropology, the
primate life cycle, human biology, fossil man, contemporary
races, techniques of anthropometry.
[ES] 242L. Introduction to Physical Anthropology Laboratory (1 cr) Lab.
Prereq: Parallel ANTH 242.
Laboratory exercises and analyses that complement material
covered in ANTH 242.
Cultural Anthropology
[ES] 104. Native Language I (ETHN 104) (5 cr) Lec, lab.
Introduction to the fundamentals of an indigenous language.
Emphasis on conversational speaking and listening skills.
Historic and contemporary writing systems. The indigenous
community's society, culture, and history through interface
with the language. Specific languages include the following:
A.Omaha I (ETHN 104A) (5 cr)
[ES] 105. Native Language II (ETHN 105) (5 cr) Lec, lab.
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 104.
Continuation of ANTH/ETHN 104. Continued conversational
speaking and listening skills with emphasis on syntax
and pragmatics. Expanded reading and writing. Traditional
oral narratives and written texts, norms, beliefs, and values.
Contemporary indigenous community's society, culture, and
history through interface with the language. Specific
languages include the following:
A.Omaha II (ETHN 105A) (5 cr)
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 104A.
[ES] 204. Native Language III (ETHN 204) (3 cr) Lec, lab.
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 105.
Continuation of ANTH/ETHN 105. The written indigenous
language. Key theories of translation and linguistics.
Contemporary indigenous language revival and language
maintenance efforts. Collaborative language curriculum work
with the indigenous community. The indigenous community's
contemporary society and culture. Specific languages include
the following:
A.Omaha III (ETHN 204A) (3 cr)
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 105A.
[ES] 205. Native Language IV (ETHN 205) (3 cr) Lec, lab.
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 204.
Continuation of ANTH/ETHN 204. Production of oral and
written language materials for academic and indigenous
community applications. Contemporary indigenous community's
society and culture through dialogues with community
leaders. Specific languages include the following:
A.Omaha IV (ETHN 205A) (3 cr)
Prereq: ANTH/ETHN 204A.
350. Peoples and Cultures of Native Latin America
(ETHN 350) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 6 hrs social science.
Introduction to the ethnography of native Latin America
outlining the history and lifeways of indigenous peoples of the
region. Indigenous culture, and change and resistance to
European colonialism from the pre-Columbian through
modern periods. Contemporary indigenous political organizing
around issues of human and culture rights, the effects of
globalization, and the environment.
[ES] 351. Indigenous Peoples of North America (ETHN
351) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 3 hrs of ANTH.
Overview of the pre-contact, contact and post-contact
experiences of indigenous peoples of North America.
[ES] 352. Indigenous Peoples of the Great Plains
(ETHN 352) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 3 hrs ANTH.
Overview of the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial
experiences of indigenous peoples of the Great Plains region
in North America.
[ES] 353. Anthropology of War (3 cr)
Causes, conduct, and consequences of socially organized
aggression and combat; an evolutionary survey of "warfare" as
conducted by insects, nonhuman primates, and human societies
from simple hunting and gathering bands to modern states;
anthropological, sociological, psychological, and evolutionary
biological theories of the causes of warfare; the relationship
between warfare and demography, disease, ideology, colonialism,
technology, economy and child rearing; and the nature of
societies with no record of war and the mechanisms utilized
by warlike societies to create peace. Warfare in different times,
places, and levels of social complexity.
[ACE-SLO-6][ES] 362. Peoples and Cultures of Africa (ETHN 362)
(3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 3 hrs ANTH.
Introduction to the ethnological complexity and cultural
diversity of the native ways of life based on the ethnographies
of several differing peoples in relation to the areal cultural
patterns in contrasting geographical regions. Relations to
other portions of the world in culture history and colonial
relations.
363. Peoples and Cultures of the Arctic Regions (3 cr)
Advanced survey of indigenous cultural adaptations to boreal
environments.
[ES] 366. Peoples and Cultures of East Asia (3 cr)
Prereq: 6 hrs of social sciences.
Survey of the historic and recent cultural diversity of the East
Asian cultural sphere. The historical development of Chinese,
Japanese, and Korean cultures through recent modernization is
reviewed and other neighboring and minority cultures are
described. Recognizing the central role of Chinese
civilization, a main emphasis is upon the interaction between it and
surrounding cultures.
Undergraduate/Graduate Cultural Anthropology
[ACE-SLO-8]408/808. Cross-Cultural Mentoring I (WMNS 408/808) (3 cr)
Fld. Requires weekly meetings with mentee. Pairs UNL student
with a refugee and/or immigrant and/or minority K-12 student
or adult.
Work with a refugee and/or immigrant and/or minority K-12
student or adult to assist them with the culture transition process, the educational process, problem-solving techniques, and
community resources.
409/809. Cross-Cultural Mentoring II (WMNS 409/809) (3 cr)
Fld. Prereq: ANTH/WMNS 408/808.
Requires weekly meetings with mentee. Continuation of ANTH/WMNS 408/808.
Continuation of work with a refugee and/or immigrant and/or
minority K-12 student or adult to assist them with the educational process and/or culture transition.
410/810. Women and Men: An Anthropological
Perspective (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH.
Cross-cultural meaning and impact of gender definition, with
emphasis on women. Gender as a correlate of biology,
language, economic systems, social and political structures,
and belief systems.
[IS] 412/812. Social Structure (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ANTH 212.
Social structure, kin, and local groups.
416/816. Topics in Cultural Anthropology (3 cr)
Prereq: ANTH 212 or permission.
Advanced study of selected topics in cultural anthropology.
418/818. Ethnology and Museums (3 cr)
Prereq: 12 hrs anthropology.
An approach to the museum as it relates to the growth of
anthropology in general and ethnological studies in particular.
Emphasis on the study of non-Western technology and its role
in the modern museum.
419/819. Art and Anthropology of Native North
Americans (3 cr)
Survey of Native American art, its prehistoric origins,
historical development and recent artistic activity in the principal
regions of North America. The context of art in traditional
culture and the cultural milieu in which change took place.
Artistic media considered are: ceramics, textiles, sculpture,
basketry, bead and quill work. Powwows and fairs as
important venues for presentation of contemporary Native
American art.
420/820. Ethnic Identity and Ethnic Conflict (3 cr)
Concept of ethnicity and ethnic groups. Reviews how ethnic
groups emerge and ethnic relations affect the modern nation
state. Several ethnic conflicts reviewed and examined,
accompanied by discussion of the dynamics of each of these
situations. How ethnic identity is formed, adjusted and recreated.
[IS] 451/851. Contemporary Issues of Indigenous
Peoples in North America (ETHN 451) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ANTH 351 or 352.
Political, economic, and social issues concerning indigenous
peoples in North America.
454/854. Traveling Ethnographic Field School (3-6 cr)
Prereq: ANTH 212 or upper division anthropology course,
and permission.
Advanced comparative study of the contemporary populations
in a selected area of North America (occasionally outside of
the US) that combine the traditional survey of ethnographic
literature with personal observation and participation in rural,
urban, or traditional settings. Ethnographic focus (e.g., Native
Americans or recent immigrants to the US) changes
depending on research opportunities.
472/872. Belief Systems in Anthropological
Perspective (3 cr)
Prereq: 12 hrs anthropology.
Cross-cultural examination of the structure, form, and
functions of belief systems. Emphasis on the interrelationship
between the ideological subsystem of a culture and its social,
political, and economic organization. Primitive and
contemporary societies.
473/873. Ecological Anthropology (NRES *873) (3 cr)
Lec.
Human adaptive systems and their ecological contexts. The
dynamic inter-relationships between subsistence, technology,
social behavior, human demography, and ecological variability.
[ACE-SLO-6]474/874. Applied and Development Anthropology (3 cr)
Lec 3.
Prereq: ANTH 212.
Efforts by anthropologists and other trained specialists to
influence the process of development and socioeconomic change
in the modern world.
475/875. Primitive Technology (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH.
Survey of the major technologies and industrial complexes of
the prehistoric and primitive worlds. Through examination of
artifacts, gain familiarity with the ways preindustrial people
have manipulated the environment. Develop skills necessary
to analyze technology within its cultural setting.
[IS] 476/876. Human Rights, Environment, and
Development (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ANTH 212.
Human rights from an anthropological perspective.
International human rights, development, and the environment;
Western and non-Western perspectives on human rights;
individual rights and collective (group) rights; social, economic,
and cultural rights; women's rights; gay rights; indigenous
peoples and minority groups' rights; and planetary
(environmental) rights. Rights to food, culture, development, and a
healthy ecosystem.
[IS] 477/877. Hunters-Gatherers (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH including ANTH 212.
Survey of hunter-gatherer society and its ecological and social
adaptations. Hunters-gatherers and their important role in
human history and evolution.
Graduate Cultural Anthropology
915. Seminar in Ethnology (3 cr)
Prereq: Complete undergraduate coursework.
Intensive study of theory and method in ethnology, with special attention to current research literature.
Archaeology
[ES][IS] 252. Archaeology of World Civilizations (CLAS
252) (3 cr)
Introduction to complex societies, called civilizations, in both
the Old and the New Worlds. Anthropological theories and
models dealing with the evolution of cultural complexity and
review of archaeological data from specific regions, e.g. Near
East, Far East, Mediterranean, Europe, Mesoamerica, Peru, etc.
[ES] 272. Introduction to Historical Archaeology (3 cr) Lec 3.
Archaeological study of peoples and cultures in recorded history,
material remains, and written evidence. Fuses theoretical
and methodological approaches of anthropology, archeology,
and history to understand local historical events and broader
social processes of the recent past.
Undergraduate/Graduate Archaeology
[IS] 432/832. History and Theory of Archaeology (3 cr)
Lec 3.
Prereq: 12 hrs ANTH.
Current concepts and theories used in archaeology to
interpret the archaeological record.
433/833. North American Archaeology (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH including ANTH 232.
An areal survey of North American archaeology,
methodology, history, and current trends of research. North American
prehistory from earliest occupations to the Contact Period.
434/834. Introduction to Great Plains Archaeology (3
cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH including ANTH 232.
Introduction to the history of archaeological research, taxonomic issues, cultural sequences, and current research topics
within the Great Plains area of North America.
435/835. Introduction to Heritage Management
Archaeology (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: ANTH 232.
Introduction to the nature and purpose of historic preservation as it pertains to resource management and archaeological
research. Legislation that forms the basis for: cultural resource
management principles; integration of state programs; and
archaeological contractors; within the overall framework of
land modification planning.
436/836. The Ancient Maya (LAMS 436) (3 cr) Lec.
Introduction to the prehistory of the Maya region and its
periphery. Features of the Ancient Maya political, economic,
religious, gender and material structures. Main substantive,
theoretical and political debates in Mesoamerican scholarship.
Interdisciplinary research and the types of methods used to
create knowledge about Maya civilizations.
438/838. Topics in Old World Prehistory (CLAS 438/
838) (3 cr)
Prereq: 12 hrs anthropology.
Offers advanced archaeology students in-depth exposure to
selected topics drawn from the wide breadth of Old World
prehistory. Through lectures, seminar discussions, and student
presentations, the class reviews archaeological data relevant to
selected theoretical or topical problems.
[ES] 439/839. Archaeology of Preindustrial Civilizations (3 cr)
Prereq: 12 hrs anthropology.
Development and organizational variability of past preindustrial civilizations. State formation and their evaluation through
use of the archaeological record. Exposure to general archaeological and anthropological problems posed by complex societies. Data bases include preindustrial civilizations from
Mesopotamia, Africa, Egypt, India, China, Japan, Polynesia,
Mexico, and Peru.
481/881. Landscape Archaeology (4 cr) Lec, lab.
Survey of theory, method, and practice in describing and interpreting archaeological landscapes.
487/887. Analysis of Archaeological Materials (4 cr, max
16) Lec, lab.
Prereq: ANTH 232. ANTH 487/887 may be
repeated. Topics vary by semester.
Survey of vocabulary, techniques, and ideas needed to research
major materials found in archaeological sites.
A. Ceramics (4 cr)
B. Lithics (4 cr)
D. Archaeofauna (4 cr)
E. Historic Material Culture (4 cr)
*894. Internship in Professional Archaeology (1-6 cr,
max 6) Fld.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH.
Graduate Archaeology
935. Seminar in Archaeology (3 cr)
Prereq: Complete undergraduate coursework.
Theory and method in prehistory and historic archaeology. Current research literature in the field.
Biological Anthropology
[ACE-SLO-4] 374 Primate Behavior and Ecology (3 cr) Lec 3. Prereq: ANTH 110 and 242.
Physical and behavioral diversity of primates through the evolutionary framework
[IS] 422/822. Medical Anthropology (3 cr)
Culture as it affects health care, disease transmission and
prevention and health education.
[ACE-SLO-9][ACE-SLO-10][IS] 442/842. Human Variation (3 cr) Lec 3.
Biological variation of modern humans worldwide through
time and space. Standard measurements of phenotypic, e.g.
elementary anthropometry. Biological adaptation to environment using recent theoretical perspectives.
Graduate Biological Anthropology
945. Seminar in Physical Anthropology (3 cr)
Prereq: Complete undergraduate coursework.
Intensive study of theory and method in physical anthropology, with special attention to current research literature.
Laboratory and Field Training
290. Fieldwork (1-6 cr, max 24) Fld.
Prereq: Permission.
Only 6 cr hours of ANTH 290 are allowed toward the ANTH
major.
Participation in research projects to learn basic field techniques
and the relationship between research design and execution.
291. Laboratory Work in Archaeology (1-6 cr, max 24)
Lab, fld.
Prereq: Permission. Only 3 hours of ANTH 291 are
allowed toward the ANTH major.
Practical experience in the preparation and manipulation of
archaeological materials. Experience gained through participation in faculty-guided laboratory projects.
Undergraduate/Graduate Laboratory and Field Training
483/883. Advanced Field Methods (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission.
Preparation for fieldwork through study of the philosophical
and practical problems of anthropological field research. When
appropriate, small-scale fieldwork exercises are planned,
executed, and analyzed.
[IS] 484/884. Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
(3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH; STAT 218 or equivalent.
Collection, management, and analysis of quantitative anthropological data. Methods of exploratory and confirmatory data
analysis. Computer-assisted analysis.
[IS] 486/886. Community-Based Research and Evaluation (ETHN 487) (3 cr)
Prereq: ANTH 212.
Qualitative ethnographic field and research projects. The
observation, documentation, data analysis, and theory behind
selected research designs. Community-based organizations,
agencies, and development advocacy projects.
490/890. Advanced Fieldwork (1-6 cr, max 24) Fld.
Prereq: ANTH 290 or equivalent. Credit toward the ANTH
major may be earned in only one of: ANTH 290 or 490.
Further practical experience in field research.
491/891. Advanced Laboratory Work (1-6 cr, max 24)
Lab, fld.
Prereq: Permission. Only 3 credit hours of ANTH 491
will count toward the major in ANTH.
Open only to advanced
students wishing to complete a research project they have developed
with ANTH faculty guidance.
Integrative Courses, Research and Reading
[ES] 261. Conflict and Conflict Resolution (POLS,
PSYC, SOCI 261) (3 cr)
For course description, see POLS 261.
396. Advanced Readings (1-6 cr, max 6)
Prereq: 6 hrs of
social science.
Tutorial course in areas of special interest.
399H. Honors Course (1-4 cr)
Prereq: Open to candidates
for degrees with distinction, with high distinction, and with
highest distinction in the College of Arts and Sciences. Good
standing in the University Honors Program and permission.
Undergraduate/Graduate Integrative Courses, Research and Reading
417/817. History of Anthropological Theory (3 cr) Lec
3.
Prereq: 9 hrs ANTH.
Origins and developments of anthropological theory, method
and thought. Historical growth of the discipline and schools of
thought from the Enlightenment through the Contemporary
Period.
[IS] 478/878. Pro-seminar in Latin American Studies
(LAMS 478; EDPS, GEOG, HIST, MODL, POLS, SOCI
478/878) (3 cr, max 6)
Prereq: Junior standing and permission. Topical seminar required for all Latin American Studies majors.
An interdisciplinary analysis of topical issues in Latin American
Studies.
479/879. Pro-seminar in International Relations I
(AECN *467; ECON, POLS, SOCI 466/866; GEOG 448/
848; HIST 479/879) (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission. Open to
students with an interest in international relations.
For course description, see POLS 466/866.
482/882. Research Methods in Anthropology (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission. Is strongly recommended to graduate students in
all subfields before starting thesis work.
Introduces advanced students to practical and theoretical issues
involved in designing and undertaking anthropological
research. The logic and organization of research emphasized.
485/885. Pro-seminar in Anthropology (1-3 cr)
Prereq:
Permission.
488/888. Contentious Issues in Anthropology (3 cr)
Prereq: 9 hrs of anthropology beyond ANTH 110.
Recent controversial issues through the integration of biological, cultural, and archaeological branches of anthropology.
495/895. Internship in Anthropology (1-6 cr, max 6) Fld.
Prereq: Sophomore standing.
A structured professional experience outside the traditional
academic setting designed to allow students to learn and use
anthropological skills and knowledge and to develop professional networks.
496-896. Special Readings in Anthropology (1-6 cr)
498/898. Advanced Current Topics in Anthropology
(3 cr)
Prereq: Permission.
Seminar on current issues and problems in anthropology.
499. Senior Research Thesis (1-6 cr, max 6) Ind.
Prereq:
Senior standing and permission.
899. Masters Thesis (6-10 cr)
Graduate Integrative Courses, Research and Reading
994. Seminar in Anthropology and Geography (GEOG 994) (1-3 cr, max 6)
Prereq: Complete undergraduate coursework.
996. Research Other Than Thesis (1-6 cr)
Prereq: Complete undergraduate coursework.
Research or reading in selected problems in anthropology, including the preparation of research for publication.
