Correspondence Directory

Majors and Courses of InstructionSociology/Anthropology221. Archaeology of North America (Peoples)(Alternate years. Offered 2010-2011)Covers the prehistory of the Americas north of the Rio Grande. Discusses the latest evidence anddebates about the initial settlement of the Americas. Most of the course is devoted to three specificregions and periods of North America: the Adena and Hopewell of the Midwest, the AncientPueblo Peoples (“Anasazi”) of the southwest, and the Mississippians and Cahokians from the GulfCoast up to Missouri. The development of complex social and cultural forms in these three areasis emphasized, along with their remarkable subsistence achievements, exchange networks, politicalorganizations, and artistic creations. S.242. Self and Society (Durst, Howard)Social and cultural forces that shape formation of individual identity are considered. Particular focusgiven to stigma and the management of spoiled identity. Social Service Institutions designed to helpor control homelessness, mental illness and mental retardation are critically examined.279. Methods of Social Research (Cohen)The logic of scientific inquiry, theoretical considerations fundamental to social research, andselected methods of formulating and conducting social research. Students have the option of takinga second term of this course in which they would formulate and execute supervised research as ameans of gaining practical experience with the entire research process. The second term option maybe taken with any faculty member in the department. Double majors in politics and governmentand sociology/anthropology may use PG 279 to satisfy requirement of this course. Prerequisite: 110or 117 plus 111, SOAN major or minor, or consent of instructor. F.291. Perspectives on Africa (Howard)Examination of a few communities in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Topics coveredinclude indigenous and subsistance cultures, the impact of European colonialism, economic andpolitical change, urbanization, environmental and health problems, gender and kinship, expressiveculture (art, music, literature, religious beliefs). Critical attention is paid to various perspectives onAfrica including those of Africans and those found in the West. Prerequisite: 111. S.292. Cultures of the Pacific (Peoples)The societies and cultures of the islands of New Guinea, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia areexamined. We give special attention to the first human colonization of the islands of Oceania; malecults and gender relations in New Guinea and Melanesia; relationships between humans and theenvironment of various islands; the Polynesian cultures of Hawaii and Rapa Nui (Easter Island);and the historic role of the United States in the tiny coral atolls of Micronesia. F.293. East Asia Yesterday and Today (Peoples)An overview of the traditional and modern civilizations of East Asia, focusing on China, Japan, andKorea. Provides a broad knowledge of the historical and geographical forces shaping contemporarylife in these regions. Specific topics include rural village life, family structures, gender roles,economic development, religion, and contemporary social problems. F.294. Peoples & Cultures of the Middle East (Yalçinkaya)A sociological and anthropological overview of diverse cultures and social structures of the MiddleEast emphasizing changes in social, political, and economic institutions. The course deals with260