2023-2024 Academic Catalog

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Anthropology (ANTH)

ANTH 5000 -  Special Topics in Anthropology  (1-6 Credits)  

Designed to give students a chance to evaluate critically some practical or theoretical problem under faculty supervision and to present results of their thinking to fellow students and instructors for critical evaluation. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Restriction: Restricted to Anthropology graduate students. Cross-listed with ANTH 4000. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Anthropology graduate students

ANTH 5014 -  Medical Anthropology: Global Health  (3 Credits)  

This course is concerned with the underlying biological and cultural determinants of health throughout the human life cycle in global and cross-cultural perspective. Note: The first of a two-course sequence in medical anthropology and global health studies; the second is ANTH 5024. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4010. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5053 -  Quantitative Methods in Anthropology  (3 Credits)  

Surveys the ways of deriving meaning from anthropological data by numerical means, including, but not confined to basic statistical procedure. Note: this course assumes that students have completed a college-level algebra course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4050. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5080 -  Global Health Practice  (3 Credits)  

A travel-study course that provides students the opportunity to work on global health issues in the context of a supervised internship experience. In addition to a formal internship placement or directed research opportunity, students attend formal lectures and participate in seminars devoted to addressing those health issues most relevant to the country in which the course is being taught. Note: this course assumes that students have completed HBSC/ANTH 4010/5014, HBSC/ANTH 4020/5024, HLTH 6070 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4080 and PBHL 4080. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5121 -  Zooarchaeology  (3 Credits)  

Introduction to the theory and methods of zooarchaeology through lectures, readings, and hands-on lab work identifying and analyzing mammalian skeletal material. Students will learns what mammalian remains indicate about biological and cultural evolution of humans. Cross-listed with ANTH 4121. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5200 -  Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective  (3 Credits)  

A comparative analysis of gender-based status and social roles of women and men, with women's status and roles emphasized due to their near-universal construction as the "other" sex. Examines, in cross- and sub-cultural context, the relations among women's status and their subsistence and reproductive activities; and the division of labor by sex, ideology and political economy. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4200. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5230 -  Fieldwork Methods  (3 Credits)  

This experiential course explores anthropological critiques, decolonizing approaches, and multi-media strategies to fieldwork methods with a focus on oral histories, visual narratives, community based participatory research, and indigenous ways of knowledge creation. At the end of the course, the student should have the cultural understanding and the methodological skills to complete a team-based fieldwork project successfully. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4230. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Typically Offered: Fall.

ANTH 5260 -  Human Reproductive Ecology  (3 Credits)  

Considers the determinants of fertility variation within and among traditional human societies. Biocultural and ecological perspectives on pubertal timing, marriage patterns, birth seasonality, duration of birth intervals and reproductive senescence. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1303 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4260. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5270 -  Anthropology of the Body  (3 Credits)  

Explores how society, through culture, creates collective and individual bodies; embodied experience across the life course; and the body as an expression of social power, bodily modification and adornment. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with ANTH 4270. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5290 -  Anthropology and Public Health  (3 Credits)  

This course critically explores anthropological approaches to public health problems. Through a number of key issues and case studies, we examine how public health practice can be enhanced through anthropological research, theory and methodology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4290. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5300 -  Migrant Health  (3 Credits)  

This course examines health issues associated with transnational migration from an anthropological point of view. Drawing upon case studies, we examine the health of migrant communities in both host and sending nations. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4300. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5320 -  Archaeology of Mexico and Central America  (3 Credits)  

Surveys the major prehistoric and protohistoric cultures and societies of that area of Mexico and Central America identified with the evolution of Meso-American civilization. Major topics include early human colonization of the Americas, the domestication of plants and animals, the emergence of regionally-based cultures and societies, trade and exchange and the evolution of urbanism and the state. Primary emphasis on such ancient cultures and societies as those of the Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Toltec and Aztec. Note: this course assumes that students have completed an introductory archaeology course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4320. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5330 -  Lithic Analysis  (3 Credits)  

Examines the theoretical basis and methodological tools used by archaeologists in the analysis of prehistoric stone tools. Topics of discussion include the mechanics of stone fracture, typologies, use wear analysis and core reduction techniques. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1302 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4330. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5350 -  Anthropology of Globalization  (3 Credits)  

This course provides an overview of anthropological contributions to the study of globalization. Particular attention is devoted to: transformations in global capitalism, state and immigration policy, transnational families, health and transnationalism. Note: previous coursework in anthropology is strongly recommended for success in this course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4350. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5380 -  Archaeology of Hunters-Gatherers  (3 Credits)  

Explores the theory and methods used by archaeologists to investigate prehistoric hunter gatherers. Topics of concern include mobility, subsistence, procurement, and socio-political organization. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1302 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4380. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5400 -  Archaeology of Power and Inequality  (3 Credits)  

Addresses inequality and power through a long-term archaeological and theoretical perspective. Discusses explanations for the origins of power and inequality and their role in early small-scale societies and emerging complex politics. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1302 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4400. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5440 -  Museums in the 21st Century  (3 Credits)  

This is an advanced course on natural history/anthropology museums. It will examine practical issues facing museums, and consider the complex questions that museums raise. The class includes lectures, discussions, and hands-on collection work, and exhibit/ outreach development. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree majors. Cross-listed with ANTH 4440. Term offered: spring. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Typically Offered: Spring.

ANTH 5500 -  Advanced Issues in Human Evolution  (3 Credits)  

This flexible course offers an advanced treatment of issues in human biological evolution. Topics may emphasize morphological evolution, behavioral evolution, the environment of human evolution, non-human primate comparative information. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4500. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5560 -  Human Ecology  (3 Credits)  

Studies demographic and ecological variables as they relate to human populations. Aspects of natural selection, overpopulation and environmental deterioration are considered. Note: this coures assumes that students have a background in biological or physical anthropology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4560. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5570 -  Landscape Archaeology  (3 Credits)  

Introduces spatial archaeology through intrasite analysis and regional studies. Methods treated include site location and quantitative spatial organization. Theoretical topics include definitions of community, ancient urbanism and the impact of subsistence and politics on relations to the landscape. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1302 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4570. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5580 -  Neanderthals and the Origin of Modern Humans  (3 Credits)  

Focuses on the human fossil record for the taxon Homo sapiens, including the earliest members of this group ("early" or "Archaic" Homo sapiens), the Neanderthals and so-called "Anatomically modern" Homosapiens. The goal of the course is to survey the major issues within the area of modern human origins, and to learn about the evolutionary relationships, lifeways and behaviors of these groups. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1303 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4580. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5590 -  Primate Behavior  (3 Credits)  

Studies nonhuman primate behavior with emphasis on understanding social behavior, ecology and issues related to human evolution. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 1303 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4590. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5600 -  Medical Anthropology  (3 Credits)  

Introduces students to the theories and concepts of medical anthropology, the study of human health and illness. Explores conceptions of the body, modalities of healing, the clinical encounter, and new medical technologies. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4600. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5650 -  Disability Anthropology  (3 Credits)  

Drawing from anthropology and interdisciplinary disability studies, this course explores disability and impairment across time and space. Course materials integrate ethnography, archives, novels, films, podcasts, and social media to develop a holistic, empirically grounded understanding of disability as part of human diversity. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors. Cross-listed with ANTH 4650. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5800 -  Special Topics in Medical Anthropology  (3-9 Credits)  

Seminar series on current issues in medical anthropology. Faculty offer a range of different courses, including the political economy of drugs, health and human rights, and reproductive health. Prereq: graduate standing. Repeatable. Cross-listed with ANTH 4800. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5810 -  Integrating Anthropology  (3 Credits)  

Designed to build on specialized course work in the subdisciplines of anthropology, this course emphasizes the basic concepts that integrate and unite the discipline and give it unique perspective. These are the concepts of culture, adaptation and human evolution. In the last several weeks of the course, students consider the applicability of the anthropological perspective to specific human issues. Note: Centers on the critical examination and discussion of presentations made by department faculty and graduate students. Restriction: Restricted to Anthropology graduate students. Cross-listed with ANTH 4810. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Anthropology graduate students

Typically Offered: Fall.

ANTH 5840 -  Independent Study  (1-6 Credits)  

Directed study based on a specific subfield of anthropology. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Permission of instructor required. Repeatable. Max hours: 12 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 12.

ANTH 5880 -  Directed Research  (1-6 Credits)  

Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

ANTH 5910 -  Field Experience in Archaeology  (3-6 Credits)  

Students participate in archaeological field research and data recovery and conduct laboratory analysis of materials recovered in the field. Emphasis is placed on excavation technique and accuracy of record keeping. Note: this course assumes that students have a background in archaeology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with ANTH 4910. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 5939 -  Internship  (1-6 Credits)  

Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Department consent required. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

ANTH 5995 -  Global Study Topics  (3-9 Credits)  

This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. The course topic will vary based on the location and course content. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Additional Information: Global Education Study Abroad.

ANTH 6000 -  Seminar in Current Research Topics  (1-3 Credits)  

An inquiry into current research of critical and general interest to anthropologists. Variable format. Note: students should receive permission from the instructor prior to registering for this course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6040 -  Advanced Topics in Medical Anthropology  (1-4 Credits)  

A flexible seminar format for dealing with topics of special interest in medical anthropology on an advanced graduate level. Topics to be considered vary from semester to semester. Examples include high altitude adaptation, anthropological perspectives on substance abuse, epidemiology, environmental and occupational health, the health consequences of cultural change and cross-cultural psychiatry. Note: Topics vary from semester to semester. Note: students should receive permission from the instructor prior to registering for this course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max Hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6041 -  Human Genetics: Legal, Ethical and Social Issues  (3 Credits)  

Examines legal, ethical and social issues that have come about with advances in human genetics. Topics include privacy, informed consent, discrimination, forensics, medical malpractice and property rights. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with HBSC 6320 and 7320. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6063 -  Qualitative Research Design and Methods  (3 Credits)  

Much of the data collected in the social sciences is interview and text-based. This course explores methods for collecting and analyzing these data and theoretical paradigms that underlie these methods. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6103 -  Current Theory in Ethnography  (3 Credits)  

An in-depth inquiry into important theories in cultural anthropology through extensive primary source reading. Practice in formulating theory, critical thinking and theoretical writing are emphasized. Note: First course in a two-course required graduate sequence. Note: this course assumes that students have completed undergraduate coursework in cultural anthropology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6133 -  Anthropological Perspectives on Language  (3 Credits)  

An intensive introduction to linguistic anthropology. Following a brief survey of technical linguistics, focus is on: the roles of language in society; multilingualism; language and identity; language and worldview; language, gender, class and power; language as social action; and other topics. Students carry out investigations based on models from their reading, as well as responding to the theoretical approaches of the field. Note: this course assumes that students have completed undergraduate coursework in cultural anthropology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6307 -  Contemporary Perspectives in Archaeology  (3 Credits)  

Explores contemporary theoretical methodological perspectives in archaeology. Structured to proceed from a survey of the history of archaeological thought based on recent retrospectives, to an analysis of works reflecting current perspectives and directions. Topics include: archaeological interpretation, classical versus scientific archaeology, versus culture-history, functionalist and materialist paradigms, ethno-archaeological and text-based studies, neo-evolutionism, interactionist models, Marxist perspectives, processual theory. Note: this course assumes that students have completed undergraduate coursework in archaeology. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6317 -  Archaeological Research Design and Analysis  (3 Credits)  

Examines the methods and techniques used in archaeology, including theory-building, hypothesis testing and middle range theory. Core materials emphasize the learning and critique of basic archaeological assumptions and the methods and theories used to scrutinize the collection and interpretation of data. Topics include chronometric applications and paleo-environmental reconstruction. Note: this course assumes that students have completed ANTH 6307 or equivalent. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6503 -  Biological Anthropology Core: The Fossil Record  (3 Credits)  

Examines the historical development and modern practice of biological anthropology, including the theoretical and methodological foundations of this field. Emphasis is placed on the evidence for human and non-human primate evolution and the processes that influenced this evolution. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6513 -  Biological Anthropology Core: Modern Human Variation  (3 Credits)  

Considers the theory and methods used in investigations of biological variation in contemporary human populations. This includes the biological and cultural sources responsible for creating and maintaining contemporary variation as well as their functional consequences. Methods of research design and how to write a grant and scientific articles are considered. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6520 -  Seminar: Selected Topics in Physical Anthropology  (3 Credits)  

A flexible seminar format for dealing with topics of special interest in physical anthropology on an advanced graduate level. Topics vary from semester to semester. Examples include: anthropology of nutrition, paleoecology, primate evolution, field experience in paleontology, advanced osteology and advanced human ecology. Note: This course assumes that students have completed undergraduate work in biological/physical anthropology. Prereq: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree students. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

ANTH 6840 -  Independent Study: ANTH  (1-3 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Repeatable. Max hours: 12 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 12.

ANTH 6950 -  Master's Thesis  (1-6 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Term offered: fall, spring, summer. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

Additional Information: Report as Full Time.

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.