Comparative Study of Cultures

This course is designed to offer perspectives for understanding other cultures. Major theories and methodologies will be discussed.
 

Critical Issues in Anthropology

This course will provide an introduction to critical issues in anthropology such as the study of culture, power, gender, class, race, and the state. The course aims to illustrate the usefulness of basic anthropological concepts and approaches for the study of contemporary cultural issues.
 

Principles of Anthropology

Some topics in the history of anthropological theory and an introduction to the basic concepts of anthropology, with special attention to the material aspects of culture, social structure and organization, symbolic aspects of culture and culture change.
 

Anthropology and Gender Studies

This course will provide an introduction to anthropological approaches to gender studies.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Anthropology of Religion

Theories of religion in anthropology, as well as special problems in the relation of religion to society. Includes Asian, African and American Indian societies. Prerequisite: either PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY or PRINCIPLES OF ANTHROPOLOGY.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Culture and Economy

This course examines how cultural values, such as religious attitudes or ideas about the prestige or Stigma of commerce, have influenced the development of capitalism in the west and in east and southeast Asia.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Culture in Contemporary Japan

This course will critically examine anthropological studies of culture in contemporary Japan.
 

Environment and Human Life

This course comprehensively analyzes the mutually-influencing relationship between humans and their environment.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Medical Anthropology

This course provides a general introduction to medical anthropology. It first focuses on how humans have biologically adapted to diseases in their environment. It then examines the multiple ways in which medicine, illness, healing, and mental illness are conceived in different societies.
 

Psychological Anthropology

This course explores the relationship between anthropology, psychology and psychiatry. It examines anthropological debates regarding the socio-cultural construction of mental health and mental illness; the interplay between psychology and culture; and the implications of an interdisciplinary approach in analyzing empirical cases in cross-cultural settings.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Readings in Anthropological Texts

Readings of works selected in advance, seminar reports by each student, followed by group discussion.
 

Readings in Comparative Culture

In order to enhance anthropological perspectives for making cultural comparison, students will be assigned to read and discuss ethnographies.
 

Society and Culture in Asia

Analysis of historical development, the characteristics of change, and the present state of Asian society and culture.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Society and Culture in the U.S.A.

Analysis of historical development, the characteristics of change, and the present state of American society and culture.
 

Demographic anthropology

This course focuses on demographic issues from anthropological perspectives. Students will learn basic concepts and indicators in demography as well as the cultural meanings of the demographic phenomena in particular societies.
 

Anthropological Fieldwork

Practice of anthropological theories and methods in communities of different cultures from ours. Students are to engage in an intensive live-in survey for a few weeks during summer vacation. Prerequisite: Field Training in Anthropology I and II. (Field work during summer vacation; official registration by the instructor.)
(Offered Alternate Years)

Anthropological Studies of Inequality

This course will examine the different ways in which inequality is constructed in different societies, ranging from gender differences, differencies in knowledge and literacy, and differential access to the means of production.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Anthropological Theories

Development and comparison of major European and American anthropological theories such as evolution, diffusion, functionalism, symbolism and structuralism.
 

Area Studies in Ethnology

This course provides students with an in-depth examination of anthropological studies of specific areas of the world.
 

Field Training in Anthropology I

Field research methods of cultural anthropology involving participation in field studies. Students have to take another course to spend a few weeks in research localities. Students are required to have taken Principles of Anthropology. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Field Training in Anthropology II

Field research methods of cultural anthropology involving participation in field studies. Students have to take another course to spend a few weeks in research localities. Students are required to have taken Principles of Anthropology. The course extends over more than a single prerequisite to younger number.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Qualitative Research Methods in Anthropology

This course will provide the basic knowledge of and the practical opportunity to learn anthropological methods: participant observation and interviewing. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Special Topics in Anthropology

This course will provide an in-depth examination of topics of extensive theoretical research and debate contemporary anthropology. Language of instruction differs by year.
 

Key Figures and Critical Texts in Anthropology

This course will involve the in-depth examination of a small number of classic anthropological texts from different periods in the history of anthropology. The approach taken will include detailed studies of the authors' biographies, the intellectual context in which the authors wrote, and the construction of their texts. Through it, students will gain a deeper understanding of anthropology's history as well as the challenges involved in the writing of compelling ethnographies.
 

Advanced Studies in Anthropology I

Advanced study in selected topics in anthropology.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Advanced Studies in Anthropology II

Advanced study in selected topics in anthropology.
(Offered Alternate Years)

Senior Thesis

Senior students, under the guidance of an advisor, will select a subject related to their major and prepare a senior thesis. The final product should represent the efforts of one year of sustained and rigorous thinking, research, and writing. Required of all students in their senior year.