Courses

Anthropology and Geography Course descriptions

Not all courses are offered on a regular schedule. See the Class Schedule on MaineStreet for courses offered each semester. To find a certain course description, scroll down or click on the links below.

ANT 100 Level Courses
ANT 200 Level Courses
ANT 300 Level Courses
ANT 400 Level Courses
ANT 500 Level Courses
Geography Courses


ANT 101* – Introduction to Anthropology: Human Origins and Prehistory

A survey course focusing on the evolution of humankind, the development of culture, and the beginnings of civilization.
*Required for Anthropology majors.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 102* – Introduction to Anthropology: Diversity of Cultures

A survey course focusing on the nature of culture, similarities and differences among the world’s cultures, relationships among cultures, and culture change.
*Required for Anthropology majors.

Satisfies the General Education Ethics and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 120 – Religions of the World

A survey of the distinctive features of the major world religions and the most studied Native American, African and aboriginal Australian religions. Focuses on the fit between myth and ritual, the problems involved in trying to understand both “from the believer’s point of view,” and what generalizations can be made about religion in general.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 140 – Cities of the Ancient World

This course explores ancient urbanism in a global context. It includes theoretical approaches to the concept of ‘city’ and weekly explorations of urban landscapes among ancient civilizations of the world.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 170 – Popular Archaeology

Many popular ideas about the past are at odds with what professional archaeologists think they know. Most of us find the past inherently interesting, without embellishment. But we are commonly confronted by intriguing beliefs in visits by ancient astronauts, the lost continent of Atlantis, etc. While some of these ideas may have merit, many do not. Develops methods for evaluating critically the archaeological record, sorting out science from pseudoscience and distinguishing that which is plausible from that which is unlikely.

Credits: 3
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ANT 207 – Introduction to World Archaeology

An overview of the human record as determined by archaeology using examples drawn from the global experience.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 210 – Biological  Anthropology

Introduces current topics in human biology and evolution including human origins and the fossil record, human genetics and population variability, and human and non-human primate behavior.

Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 212 – The Anthropology of Food

Food is the most direct and meaningful connection people have with the environment, a connection that addresses both biological and cultural needs. This course aims at exposing students to the different ways in which anthropologists think about food across its sub-disciplines as a way to understand human origins, behavior, and cultural diversity. Themes include food procurement strategies, influence on human evolution, religious traditions and food, food as pertains to power dynamics, warfare, gender relations and identity, and the role of food in environmental and sustainable development policy-making.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives and Population & the Environment Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 221 – Introduction to Folklore

A survey of the different genres of folklore, its forms, uses, functions and modes of transmission. Emphasis on belief, custom and legend.

Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition and the Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 225 – Climate Change, Societies, and Cultures

Surveys the human dimensions of climate change from a cultural perspective: the interactions among societies, cultures, and climate change. Reviews climate change futures and their human implications around the world; Drivers of climate change; and technological, social, and cultural mitigation and adaptation strategies.  Perspective throughout is universalistic (all human societies, past and present) and holistic (all realms of thought and behavior, though with particular emphasis on social, political, and cultural dimensions).

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 102 or Permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 235 – Cultural Perceptions of Nature

Examines the concept of nature in a variety of cultural  contexts. Emphasis is on the development of contemporary views and their impacts on environmental management.

Satisfies the General Education Population & Environment

Credits: 3


ANT 245 – Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective

An exploration into the commonality and diversity of sex and gender roles in cross-cultural perspective and an examination of cultural and bio-sociol explanations for why such diversity exists. Foci include contemporary approaches to sex and gender, changing views about men’s and women’s roles in human evolution, the conditions under which gender roles vary in contemporary societies and the issues surrounding gender equality, power and politics.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Ethics Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 249 – Religion and Violence

Explores the anthropology of contemporary political violence. The ethnographic study of terrorism, guerilla warfare, state terror and human rights will be complemented by examination of the ethical and methodological concerns that arise in this special area of investigation.

Satisfies the General Education Ethics, Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 250 – Conservation Anthropology: The Socio-Cultural Dimension of Environmental Issues

Conservation is fundamentally a socio-cultural problem. Examines the different types of human/nature relationships that emerge across various cultural, environmental, socio-economic, and political contexts. Through a comparative approach this course is designed to illustrate how culture is an important variable when creating viable conservation strategies. Themes covered in class include protected areas, indigenous and traditional knowledge, resource management, market-based conservation, environmental economics, and political ecology. Case studies: United States, Africa, Australia, Latin America, and Papua New Guinea.

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 252- Civilization in South Asia

An exploration into the nature of civilization in South Asia, focusing on India. The central religious tradition of Hinduism and the caste order are investigated, with complementary perspectives provided by non-Hindu traditions. The impact of colonialism and development of national identities are also considered. Anthropological views are distinguished from and supplemented by other disciplinary perspectives.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 256 – Ethnic Conflict

An exploration of ethnic conflict and revival today including a survey of anthropological theories of ethnicity, focusing on ethnic revival in the modern world. European and other ethnic groups of the industrialized West provide the major cases to be considered.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 260 – Forensic Anthropology

Provides an introduction to the application of the theory and methods of physical anthropology to medicolegal investigations and problems. The field consists of four basic topics: 1) human skeletal anatomy, 2) developing a biological profile, 3) the science of decomposition, and 4) forensic anthropology in the court system.

Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 261 – Islamic Fundamentalism

A survey of the distinctive ideological and social features of Islamic fundamentalist movements.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 270 – Environmental Justice Movements in the United States

Examines how poor and racialized communities have responded to the incidence, causes, and effects of environmental racism and injustice. Special attention will be given to how the critiques offered by these communities challenge the knowledge and procedural forms of justice embedded in environmental policy and democracy in the United States. Case studies will be drawn from readings on African-Americans, European-Americans, Chicano and Latino Americans, and Native Americans.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 290 – Special Topics in Anthropology

Intermediate treatment of specialized problems in anthropology with emphasis on analysis in frontier areas of anthropological research. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit.

Credits: 3


ANT 295 – American Indians and Climate Change

Introduces students to the Indian cultures of the United States and U.S. territories in the South Pacific, paying particular attention to the issues of climate change and how it is impacting indigenous peoples in these regions; also examines climate effects on natural resource conditions as it relates to Indian cultures and the roles indigenous groups play in policy responses to climate change.

Cross-listed as NAS 295

Credits: 3
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ANT 300* – Basic Theory in Cultural Anthropology (changed to ANT 400 as of 5/1/2016)

A seminar in which the most important theories shaping modern cultural and social anthropology will be presented through the analysis of key monographs. Emphasis placed on developing critical thinking and library research skills. Required of all Anthropology majors.
*Required for Anthropology majors.

Satisfies the General Education Social Context and Institutions, Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Writing Intensive Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: Permission, and ANT 102 and ANT major standing.

Credits: 3


ANT 311 – Geography of Climate Change

Introduces students to theories of environmental sustainability transitions and resource use in the context of climate change.

Prerequisites & Notes: Any ANT course or GEO course or permission.

Cross listed as GEO 311

Credits: 3


ANT 316 – Shipwreck Sites: Archaeological and Historical Investigations

The process of a complete shipwreck site investigation, from initial research though publication. ANT 316 and HTY 316 are identical courses.

Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: 3 credits of History or permission.

Cross listed as HTY 316

Credits: 3


ANT 317* – Fundamentals of Archaeology

Techniques of excavation and analysis; theoretical basis of methods and fundamental principles; application to specific case studies; the use of geological, biological, chemical and other tools in archaeological research. A one-day compulsory weekend field trip to local archaeological sites.
*Required for Anthropology majors.

Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 170 or ANT 207 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 328 – S/He: Rituals & Folk Traditions of Gender

This course will explore and examine several aspects of traditional cultural practices and rituals of women and men.  We will look at how women and men express, question and negotiate gender in everyday face-to-face interactions, ritual celebration, and various forms of public display.  Folklore, as narrative, material culture, and social practices, will also illuminate how gendered spaces, languages, and experiences provide a unique way of expressing the everyday.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 221 or WST 101.

Credits: 3


ANT 330 – The US Folk Experience

Examines how disenfranchised groups respond through their traditional expressive folklore to the incidences, causes and effect of racism and injustice found in the United States, as well as maintaining and conveying their values, and sense of identity at simultaneous levels (individual, communal, regional) to each other and the larger society. Groups we will read and examine will be Afro-American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Euro-American.

Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition and Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


ANT 372 – North American Prehistory

The history of North American native peoples from the first evidence to the arrival of the Europeans. Emphasis on major issues such as glacial and postglacial adaptation, development of agriculture, and the emergence of sedentism.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 207 or ANT 317 or permission.

Credits: 3
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ANT 400* – Basic Theory in Cultural Anthropology (Formerly ANT 300. Changed as of 5/1/2016)

A seminar in which the most important theories shaping modern cultural and social anthropology will be presented through the analysis of key monographs. Emphasis placed on developing critical thinking and library research skills. Required of all Anthropology majors.
*Required for Anthropology majors.

Satisfies the General Education Social Context and Institutions, Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and Writing Intensive Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: Permission, and ANT 102 and ANT major standing.


ANT 410 – Human Dimensions of Climate Change

Multi-disciplinary overview of selected social science topics on humans and climate change. Critical anthropological attention to what this literature overlooks and how these omissions can be dealt with.

Credits: 3


ANT 420 – Human Impacts on Ancient Environments

Designed to challenge students to critically evaluate the relationship between humans and their environment, and to assess the local, regional, and global impact of humans on our planet. The long, diachronic approach taken here, particularly over the past 10,000 years, will serve to broaden our understanding of how humans have effected change in our landscapes and resource distribution in the past, and ultimately how this perspective may be integrated with contemporary resource management and environmental policy for the future. Historical ecology is also introduced as a research program structured to evaluate the historical role human agency has played in shaping contemporary landscapes.

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or EES 100 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 421 – Inca Society and Peasants of the Andes

Explores the nature of Inca civilization of South America as it began to form in the 15th century. Also explores the organization of Andean peasant communities, which constituted the foundation of Inca society in the past and continues to dominate Andean landscapes today.

Satisfies the General Education Writing Intensive Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 207, or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 425 – Recorded Interviewing Techniques and Methods

This course will introduce students to the theory and methodology of ethnographic and oral history fieldwork as it is practiced by social scientists and humanities researchers. Students will learn to prepare research plans, develop questions, and conduct and record interviews. They will learn how to navigate the essential practices of permissions, understand the concepts of copyright of research materials as it pertains to interviews, and fulfill the requirements of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) – Required Training at the University of Maine. Students will learn about the practices of archiving research materials and how to interpret and incorporate interview research into a research paper or documentary.

Satisfies the General Education Ethics Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: Permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 426 – Native American Folklore

An overview of folklore and folklife covering various genres of traditional expressive culture.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 430 – Who Owns Native Cultures?

The answer to the simple question of who owns Native American/American Indian/indigenous cultures and cultural productions is surprisingly complex and engages the history of anthropology and the nature of anthropological knowledge itself. This course will examine the evolving relationships between anthropologists, historians, and other researchers with indigenous peoples (in particular American Indians) and what kinds of ethical and legal relationships have evolved over time to address this question. It will also look at the ways in which contemporary cultural resource management by indigenous peoples serves as a key articulation of indigenous nationhood and sovereignty. Special attention will be given to recent scholarship by indigenous researchers that decolonizes standard academic practices and roots the ownership of Native cultures and research in Native communities.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts & Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or NAS 101 or permission

Credits: 3


ANT 431 – Folklore, the Environment and Public Policy

Examines the interaction of humans with the environment from the perspective of folklore, and reviews its impact on public policy at the local, state, federal and international levels.

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 441 – People and Cultures of the Pacific Islands

Topics include Pacific geography, the history and prehistory of the Pacific islands, cultural traditions of the ancient Polynesians with special reference to the political evolution of their societies, cultural traditions of the Melanesians with special reference to art, warfare and ritual, cultural traditions of the Micronesians with special reference to the problems of these Oceanic people in the modern world.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 300 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 448 – Ethnography Through Film

A critical analysis of film from an anthropological perspective. Students will be introduced to the history of the use of ethnographic film in anthropology, and they will consider how professional anthropologists living at different times have used motion pictures to capture aspects of human cultural behavior. Students will also examine how ethnographic films, documentaries, and popular motion pictures (past and present) have been used to represent people in a variety of cultures. We will ask how professional anthropologists may differ from other types of filmmakers in their treatment of the same cultural groups and/or subjects.

Satisfies the General Education requirements for Ethics, and Writing Intensive (fall 2016).

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 451 – Native American Cultures and Identities

Covers both traditional culture patterns and modern developments and problems. Includes consideration of traditional culture areas, emphasizing adaptations and cultural dynamics, past and present.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or NAS 101 or permission.

Cross-listed as NAS 451

Credits: 3
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ANT 454 – Cultures and Societies of the Middle East

Each semester, a specific Middle Eastern conflict will be examined with particular attention to the different ways it is understood by the parties involved. The course will attempt to demonstrate the importance of understanding conflict from the insider’s point of view.

Satisfies the General Education Writing Intensive, Social Contexts and Institutions, and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 300 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 458 – Anthropology of War

Surveys war in human prehistory and history and the anthropological theories developed to explain it. The primary focus is on pre-industrial warfare, especially the contact-era Pacific. Throughout the course, however, this comparative perspective will be brought to bear on what pre-modern warfare tells us about war in the modern world.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 459 – Peoples and Cultures of South America

Social, political, economic and religious institutions of native and mestizo peoples of South America, using examples from selected areas (Amazonian lowlands, Andean highlands, southern cone.) Traditional culture patterns and modern developments and problems, including syncretism of European and native systems and role of modern beliefs about pre-European lifeways.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 462 – Numerical Methods in Anthropology

Introduction to how numerical methods are used in anthropological research. Topics include: survey and history of numerical methods in anthropology, presentation and description of quantitative and qualitative anthropological data, probability, testing anthropological hypotheses using parametric and nonparametric statistics, the pitfalls and potential of numerical methods in anthropology.

Satisfies the General Education Quantitative Literacy (Mathematics) Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: One course in Anthropology or Sociology or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 464 – Ecological Anthropology

Comparative study of human populations in ecosystems. Topics include the adaptive nature of culture, implications of the ecological approach for anthropological theory, sociocultural evolution and change, and contemporary problems. Case studies from simple and complex societies.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions, and Population and the Environment, and Writing Intensive Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 250 or permission. ANT 464 & ANT 564 cannot both be taken for degree credit.

Credits: 3


ANT 465 – Political Anthropology

A study of mechanisms and institutions for mediating disputes and allocating public power in selected non-Western societies.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 300 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 466 – Economic Anthropology

Comparative study of production, consumption and exchange in selected Western and non-Western societies. Emphasis on factors influencing economic decisions in a variety of social and cultural settings.

Satisfies the General Education requirements for Social Contexts and Institutions, and Writing Intensive (fall 2016).

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 300 or permission. ANT466 & ANT 566 cannot both be taken for degree credit.

Credits: 3


ANT 469 – Theories of Religion

Considers various anthropological approaches to religion including evolutionary, historical, psychological, functional, structural, and symbolic. Emphasis on the appropriateness of these theories for the wide range of cross-cultural material available.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 470 – Religion and Politics

A study of religion and politics in a wide variety of human societies, past and present with particular emphasis on 1) the interrelationships among religion, culture, and political ideology as systems of belief and value, 2) the relationship between religious and national identity and 3) the role of interests and values in determining political action.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions, Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives, and Writing Intensive Requirements.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 102 or ANT 120 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 475 – Environmental Archaeology

Introduces historical and current theoretical literature which addresses cultural environmental relationships in prehistoric contexts. Emphasis on outlining the kinds of environmental data that survive in the historical record (geological, floral, faunal, soils, etc.), the sampling methods used to collect different kinds of data and types of inferences that can be made from surviving data regarding fossil cultural environmental relationships.

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 317 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 476 – Ancient Maya

Examines the origins and development of ancient Maya civilization beginning with precursors to Maya culture in the first two millennia BC and ending with the final conquest of the last independent Maya kingdom in 1697. Among the topics covered will be the rise of complex society in the Maya region, the history of individual Maya city-states and rulers, social and political organization, art and religion, craft production and economy, commoner life, hieroglyphic writing, human-environment dynamics, and the Classic Maya collapse.

Satisfies the General Education Writing Intensive Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 101 or ANT 170 or ANT 207 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 477 – Field Research in Archaeology

Introduction to archaeological field techniques through excavation of an archaeological site. Intensive training in site survey, excavations techniques, recording, analysis and preliminary interpretation of archaeological materials. Generally conducted on prehistoric and historic sites in Maine. Admission by application only.

Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements. (Offered summers only.)

Prerequisites & Notes: Permission.

Credits: 2-6


ANT 478 – Zooarchaeology

A laboratory course covering techniques for analysis and interpretation of osteological remains from archaeological sites. Rec 2, Lab 2.

Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 317 or permission.

Credits: 4


ANT 479 – Laboratory Techniques in Prehistoric Archaeology

Hands-on experience in lab techniques using real archaeological materials. Includes analysis, classification and synthesis of the data. Rec 1, Lab 2.

Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge Requirement.

Credits: 3


ANT 480 – Andean Prehistory

Prehistoric archaeology of the Andean region of western South America from the first arrival of people to the Spanish Conquest. Changing lifeways as Andean peoples adapted to and with new and changing environments and technologies. Origin and development of complex society in the region, culminating with the Inca Empire.

Satisfies the General Education Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives and the Population and Environment Requirements.

Prerequisites: ANT 101 or ANT 170 or ANT 207 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 490 – Topics in Anthropology

Advanced treatment of specialized problems in anthropology with emphasis on analysis in frontier areas of anthropological research. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit.

Credits: 3


ANT 493* – Capstone in Anthropology: What does it mean to be human?

Capstone course for Anthropology and International Affairs in Anthropology majors. Addresses five themes concerning anthropology and what it means to be human. (1) Debate and Argumentation in Anthropology; (2) Science, Theory, and the Applications of Anthropological Inquiry; (3) Race and Human Variation; (4) Climate, Environment, and Culture; and (5) Religion and Warfare in Human Society. Emphasis on topics of relevance to contemporary society. Faculty from all anthropological sub-disciplines of Anthropology will contribute lectures.
*Required for Anthropology, International Affairs/Anthropology, and Human Dimensions of Climate Change majors.

Satisfies the General Education Capstone Experience Requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes: Junior or Senior standing in the Anthropology or International Affairs in Anthropology majors.

Credits: 3


ANT 494 – Methods and Theory in Archaeology

The history of, and current debates in, archaeological methods and theory, with a focus on Americanist archaeology.

Prerequisites: ANT 317 or ANT 300 or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 497 – Department Projects

A special project course. Specific content, scheduling and credit hours proposed by student in consultation with instructor. Maximum of 3 credit hours.

Form: Independent Study In Anthropology (PDF)

Credits: Arr
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Dual level for graduate students and advanced undergraduates

ANT 500 – Advanced Social Theory

Seminar for students with and without exposure to social science theory at undergraduate level. Brief, intensive review of basic, undergraduate-level, social theory followed by advanced social theory. Emphasis on core ideas relevant to environmental policy. Focus on basic ideas and frameworks rather than minutiae.

Credits: 3


ANT 510 – Climate, Culture, and the Biosphere

Explores the coupled dynamics of humans and the biosphere through time, from hominid evolution more than 2.5 million years ago to the present era.  Curriculum draws from anthropology, geography, paleoecology, and climate science to inform on the integrated human-environment relationship in the context of global change.  This course is identical to BIO 510.

Prerequisites & Notes: Graduate standing or permission.

Cross-listed as BIO 510

Credits: 3


ANT 530 – Human Dimensions of Climate Change

Multi-disciplinary overview of selected social science topics on humans and climate change. Critical anthropological attention to what this literature overlooks and how these omissions can be dealt with.

Credits: 3


ANT 550 – Anthropological Dimensions of Environmental Policy

Seminar on basic principles of environmental policy and analysis in both industrialized and Third World societies. Covers policies and institutions of states, local governments and co-management systems. Emphasis on anthropological case studies on the management of key common-pool resources, including fisheries, wildlife, irrigation systems and forests.

Credits: 3


ANT 553 – Institutions and the Management of Common Pool Resources

Focuses on the various social science theories concerning the generation of institutions and rules including action theory, the IAD approach (Institutional Analysis and Development), rational choice theory and topics from political economy. Emphasis will be placed on the development of institutions governing the use of fisheries with some discussion of the management of other common pool resources such as forests, rangeland, air and petroleum reserves.

Prerequisites & Notes: Senior or Graduate Standing

Cross-listed as SMS 553

Credits: 3


ANT 555 – Resource Management in Cross-cultural Perspective

Examines the institutions used to reduce risk and uncertainty in selected societies dependent on renewable resources. Emphasis on fishing societies around the world with some discussion of the utilization of forests and rangeland by different societies. Studies the governance structures used to manage common pool resources including state systems, local level management systems and co-management systems.

Prerequisites & Notes: Senior or Graduate Standing

Cross-listed as SMS 555

Credits: 3


ANT 564 – Ecological Anthropology

Comparative study of human populations in ecosystems. Topics include the adaptive nature of culture, implications of the ecological approach for anthropological theory, sociocultural evolution and change, and contemporary problems. Case studies from simple and complex societies.

ANT 464 and ANT 564 cannot both be taken for degree credit.

Prerequisites & Notes: Graduate standing or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 566 – Economic Anthropology

Comparative study of production, consumption and exchange in selected Western and non-Western societies. Emphasis on factors influencing economic decisions in a variety of social and cultural settings.

ANT 466 and ANT 566 cannot both be taken for degree credit.

Prerequisites & Notes: Graduate standing or permission.

Credits: 3


ANT 576 – Method and Theory in Archaeology

The history of and current debates in archaeological methods and theory, with a focus on Americanist archaeology.

Prerequisites & Notes: ANT 317, ANT 372.

Credits: 3


ANT 597 – Advanced Topics in Anthropology

Advanced students study selected topics with a staff member. Credits to be arranged with instructor.

Prerequisites & Notes: Graduate student standing and advanced undergraduates by permission.  Departmental approval required.

Form: Independent Study In Anthropology (PDF)

Credits: 1-3


ANT 699 – Graduate Thesis/Research
Graduate thesis or research conducted under the supervision of student’s advisor.
Prerequisites & Notes: INT 601, CMJ 600 or alternative “Responsible Conduct of Research” course approved by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Graduate School is required before or concurrently with completion of 3rd ANT 699 credit.
Credits: 1-6

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GEO 100 – World Geography

Introduces students to the major world cultural regions and their characteristics, development and interaction. It focuses particularly on the relationship between cultural groups and the environment within and between each region. Students will be challenged to acquire factual knowledge of cultural regions necessary for geographic literacy and to critically evaluate explanations of these patterns.

Satisfies the General Education Population and Environment and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Credits: 3


GEO 212 – Geography of Maine

This course provides a geographical perspective on the historical development of Maine over the last 500 years. The course begins with European contact in the early 1500s, and then examines the evolution of Maine as a borderland during the colonial period, the American settlement of Maine in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the growth of industrial manufacturing and tourism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the de-industrialization and development of a service economy in Maine today. The course pays particular attention to environmental, cultural, and cross-border issues. (GEO 212 and HTY 212 are identical)

Satisfies the General Education Population and the Environment Requirement

Cross-listed as HTY 212

Credits: 3


GEO 275 – Geography of Globalization

Examines changing demographic, economic, political, and cultural connections across the globe over the past 500 years; their representation through maps, and our current awareness of the globe and the Earth’s environment. (GEO 275 and HTY 275 are identical)

Satisfies the General Education Population & Environment and Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives Requirements.

Cross-listed as HTY 275

Credits: 3


GEO 311 – Geography of Climate Change

Introduces students to theories of environmental sustainability transitions and resource use in the context of climate change.

Prerequisites: Any ANT course or GEO course or permission.

Cross listed as ANT 311

Credits: 3


GEO 349 – Early Modern North America in Atlantic Perspective

Reflecting the increasing globalization of modern society, this course employs an Atlantic perspective to understand the international history of early modern North America. Focuses on the geography of the European empires that shaped North America, beginning with the Spanish and the French, and then focusing on the British and the revolt of the American colonies. (GEO 349 and HTY 349 are identical)

Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Tradition and Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Requirements.

Cross-listed as HTY 349

Credits: 3
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