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2018-2019 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Course Descriptions
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Course Numbering
The College of Wooster uses a five-digit course numbering system. The first three digits indicate the primary course number. The next two digits are the secondary course number and indicate whether there is a special focus for the course. For example:
The first letters are the department or program abbreviation. The next three digits are the primary course number (101 is the primary course number for all Introduction to Historial Study courses). The last two digits are the secondary course number. These two digits indicate that the special focus for this HIST 101 course is The History of Islam. A course with a given three-digit primary course number can only be taken once for credit unless specifically indicated otherwise by the department.
The following policy has been used in assigning primary course numbers:
- 100-level courses are usually introductory courses; some 100-level courses do have prerequisites, and students are advised to consult the description for each course.
- 200-level courses are usually beyond the introductory level, although many 200-level courses are open to first-year students and to majors and non-majors.
- 300-level courses are seminars and courses primarily for majors but open to other students with the consent of the instructor.
- The following numbers are for Independent Study: I.S. 40100 (Junior Independent Study), I.S. 45100 and I.S. 45200 (Senior Independent Study).
In addition to the regular course offerings, many departments offer individual tutorials under the number 40000 and internships under 41000. On occasion, departments will offer a course on a special topic as approved by the Educational Policy Committee, designated 19900, 29900, or 39900.
Abbreviation
In keeping with the general education requirements of the College’s curriculum
(see Degree Requirements ), course listings employ the following abbreviations:
W Writing Intensive
C Studies in Cultural Difference
R Religious Perspectives
Q Quantitative Reasoning
AH Learning Across the Disciplines: Arts and Humanities
HSS Learning Across the Disciplines: History and Social Sciences
MNS Learning Across the Disciplines: Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Except where otherwise noted, all courses carry one course credit.
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Anthropology |
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ANTH 11000 - Introduction to Anthropology Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY An introduction to the five fields used by anthropologists to explore broadly the variety of human groups that have developed across the globe and throughout time. The five fields include biological, cultural, linguistic, applied anthropology, and archaeology. The course will prepare students to take a holistic perspective on contemporary human cultures. It will also foster an appreciation of cultural relativity in the sense of understanding other cultures in their own terms as coherent and meaningful designs for living. Annually. Fall and Spring. [C, HSS]
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ANTH 19900 - Topics in Anthropology Course Credit: 1
TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY A seminar focused on a special topic in anthropology. Topics are chosen by the instructor and announced in advance. [HSS]
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ANTH 20500 - Political Anthropology Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY A comparative analysis of politics as the cultural process through which people make binding decisions for groups. The course examines this process in western and non-western cultures at all stages of complexity from bands to stages within an evolutionary model. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 21000 - Physical Anthropology Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY An introduction to the role of physical anthropology in defining humans as biological and cultural entities. This course examines a variety of topics, including the genetic basis for evolution, primate behavior, the process of primate and human development, and contemporary variation among human populations. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor Annually. [C, HSS, MNS]
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ANTH 21107 - Museum Anthropology Course Credit: 1
MUSEUM ANTHROPOLOGY This course explores a variety of kinds of museums from anthropological perspectives. The topics covered include the origins of the modern museum; the cultural and political contents of building ethnographic collections and displays; the emergence of the museum as a focus for anthropological inquiry; the contemporary role(s) of museums as part of identity formation; the legal and ethical issues surrounding the development and use of collections; and the relationships between museums and communities. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000; or permission of instructor. [HSS]
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ANTH 22000 - Linguistic Anthropology Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, COMD, SOCI)
LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY A critical analysis of language and all other forms of human communication within the context of culture and society, human thought, and behavior. Special attention is paid to the relationships between culture and language, the social uses of language, language as a model for interpreting culture, language and all forms of non-verbal communication within speech interactions. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000; or permission of instructor. [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23000 - Magic, Witchcraft & Religion Course Credit: 1
(SOCI)
MAGIC, WITCHCRAFT, AND RELIGION Focuses on anthropological approaches to the study of cultural beliefs in the sacred: analysis of what is religious in many cultures; covers a variety of anthropological topics related to these practices, including myth, ritual, totemism, magic, and shamanism. Examination of the role that the study of religion, magic, and witchcraft has played in the theoretical development of anthropology. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS, R]
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ANTH 23100 - Peoples & Cultures Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, EAST, LAST, SOCI)
PEOPLES AND CULTURES An exploration of the richness and diversity of a particular world culture. Readings and lectures provide the historical background for each culture area and an examination of the contemporary cultures. Generally focused on religious beliefs, economics, politics, kinship relationships, gender roles, and medical practices. Consideration of this culture area in the world economic system. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor Annually. Fall and Spring. [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23101 - Peoples & Cultures: Japan Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, EAST, SOCI)
PEOPLES AND CULTURES: JAPAN Exploration of the richness and diversity of a particular world culture. Readings and lectures provide the historical background for each culture area and an examination of the contemporary cultures. Generally focused on religious beliefs, economics,politics, kinship relationships, gender roles, and medical practices. Consideration of this culture area in the world economic system. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000; or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23104 - Peoples & Cultures: Latin America Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, LAST, SOCI)
PEOPLES & CULTURES: LATIN AMERICA. Exploration of the richness and diversity of a particular world culture. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23108 - Peoples & Cultures: The Amish Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
PEOPLES AND CULTURES: THE AMISH Exploration of the richness and diversity of a particular world culture. Readings and lectures provide the historical background for each culture area and an examination of the contemporary cultures. Generally focused on religious beliefs, economics, politics, kinship relationships, gender roles, and medical practices. Consideration of this culture area in the world economic system. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23109 - Peoples & Cultures: Mediterranean Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
PEOPLES AND CULTURES: MEDITERRANEAN Exploration of the richness and diversity of a particular world culture. Readings and lectures provide the historical background for each culture area and an examination of the contemporary cultures. Generally focused on religious beliefs, economics, politics, kinship relationships,gender roles, and medical practices. Consideration of this culture area in the world economic system. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 23110 - Peoples & Cultures: Contemporary US Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
PEOPLE AND CULTURES: CONTEMPORARY U.S. This course is designed as a general survey of some of the rich cultural traditions found in contemporary America. Each of these cultures is a product of their unique heritage combined with the influences of the colonial and contemporary elite power structures of Euro-American traditions. The readings and lectures focus on the multiplicity of beliefs that comprise an American culture, particularly those aspects that are concerned with the interrelationships between social structure, economics, politics, and religion. The readings and movies also provide differing perspectives on the cultural construction of festivals, landscape, gender, and race in terms of these social institutions. In addition, this course offers you an opportunity to explore many aspects of the discipline of cultural and social anthropology. Major theoretical issues in the anthropological consideration of the United States presented in this course include: fieldwork methodologies, symbolic anthropology, visual anthropology; applied anthropology, the use of oral and family histories; tourism; and culture change. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor [C, HSS]
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ANTH 29900 - Adv Topics in Anthropology Course Credit: 1
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ANTHROPOLOGY. A seminar focusing on a specialized area of anthropology. Topics are chosen by the instructor and announced in advance. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 [HSS]
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ANTH 29901 - Gbl Politics of Reproduction Course Credit: 1
(WGSS)
GLOBAL POLITICS OF REPRODUCTION This course will look at experiences and expectations of reproduction to explore how reproductive politics are intricately linked with the politics of nations, as well as cultural norms and expectations. We will consider how approaches to contraception, fertility, childbirth, and childcare differ across cultures, and often vary within cultures as a result of race-, class-, age-, gender-, and sexuality-based inequities. How, for instance, has the advent of new reproductive technologies (such as medicalized abortion and contraception, in vitro fertilization, and amniocentesis) affected our expectations and experiences of reproduction? How are women’s bodies racialized through pregnancy and prenatal care? How has uneven access to reproductive technologies throughout the world affected reproductive options and choices? How has the medicalization of childbirth affected traditional birthways and why are we seeing a resurgence of interest in midwifery and holistic healthcare in North America and Europe? How do approaches to sex, childbirth and childcare vary throughout the world-and who determines the right way to conceive, give birth, or raise a child? Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 [HSS]
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ANTH 29902 - Anth. Perspective on Contmptry Politics Course Credit: 0.5
ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CONTEMPORARY POLITICS This class will examine current political events in the US and abroad using a comparative anthropological approach. Comprehending the current political scene requires consideration of the historical and cultural context. As a seminar the class will require active discussion by all members.
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ANTH 29903 - The Politics of Populism Course Credit: 0.5
THE POLITICS OF POPULISM This class will cover political developments around the world that students will examine using the background they gained in Political Anthropology with an emphasis on developments in the US and Europe in particular. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-20500; or permission of instructor
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ANTH 35200 - Contemporary Anthropological Theory Course Credit: 1
(ARCH, SOCI)
CONTEMPORARY ANTHROPOLOGICAL THEORY An examination of key theoretical perspectives in anthropology from the mid-1900s to the present day. Among the perspectives examined in this course are: evolutionary theory, historical particularism, functionalism, culture and personality, cultural and ecological materialism, ethnoscience, symbolic anthropology, feminist anthropology, practice theory, and postmodernism. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of the relevance of these theories for the critical analysis of contemporary social and cultural issues. Over the course of the semester all students will use relevant concepts and theorists to develop a theoretical perspective on a research question or topic that they will examine in their Senior Independent Study thesis. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor Annually. Spring. [HSS]
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ANTH 40000 - Tutorial Course Credit: 1
TUTORIAL A tutorial course on a special topic(s) offered to an individual student under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-11000 or permission of instructor. The approval of both the supervising faculty member and the chairperson is required prior to registration.
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ANTH 41000 - Internship Course Credit: 0.25
Maximum Credit: 1
INTERNSHIP In close consultation with a faculty member in the department, students may arrange for credit for a supervised work situation that relates to their major course of study. It is expected that in addition to the work experience itself, this course will include both regular discussion of a set of readings chosen by the faculty member and written assignments that allow the students to reflect critically on their work experiences. Internship credit will be approved by the chairperson of the department on a case-by-case basis. May be repeated. S/NC. Prerequisite(s): SOCI-10000 and ANTH-11000; or permission of instructor
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ANTH 45100 - Independent Study Thesis Course Credit: 1
SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY–SEMESTER ONE The first semester of the Senior Independent Study project, in which each student engages in creative and independent research guided by a faculty mentor and which culminates in a thesis and an oral examination in the second semester. The student will normally do the thesis during the Fall and Spring semesters of the senior year. Suggested fields include papers or projects in any of the standard subcategories of anthropology, such as kinship, politics, economics, religion, education, media, gender, or ethnicity. The student is assigned to an appropriate adviser by the chairperson following submission of a proposal. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-35200 Annually. Fall and Spring.
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ANTH 45200 - Independent Study Thesis Course Credit: 1
SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY–SEMESTER TWO The second semester of the Senior Independent Study project, which culminates in the thesis and an oral examination. Prerequisite(s): ANTH-45100
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