COURSES OFFERED

Anthropology 1
Introduction to Physical Anthropology

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC; (CAN ANTH 2)

This course explores and emphasizes the evolution and physical diversity of the human species.  Topics include genetics, mechanisms of evolutionary change, human variation, and the reconstruction of human evolutionary history through examination of the fossil record and comparative studies of the living non-human primates.

Anthropology 2
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation:  eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC; (CAN ANTH 4)

This course will provide students with an introduction to anthropological theory as well as a cross-cultural understanding of human behavior.  Emphasis will be placed on subsistence strategies, marriage, kinship, sociopolitical, economic and religious systems along with the effects of cultural change.

Anthropology 3
Introduction to Archeology

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC; (CAN ANTH 6)

This course is a survey of the history, ideas, issues, and research methodologies within the field of archeology. Students will be introduced to basic techniques of archaeological data analysis.

Anthropology 4
Language and Culture

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC

This course introduces students to the anthropological study of language and non-verbal human communication. Using a cross-cultural perspective, students will examine the relationship between culture and the ways in which humans communicate. Topics include language structure, acquisition, diversity, and change.

Anthropology 5

Physical Anthropology Laboratory

This course uses laboratory exercises and other assignments to explore the primary topics of physical anthropology. Topics will include principles of evolution, human genetics, forensic anthropology, behavior and anatomy of nonhuman primates, human variation, and fossil evidence for human evolution.

Anthropology 6
Native Peoples of North America

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the origins, culture areas, and culture characteristics of native peoples north of Mexico.  Topics include the prehistory of these aboriginal New World populations, cultural adaptations to various environments, and interactions with non-native during and following the period of European expansionism.

Note:  Approved by State Department of Education as an Ethnic Studies Course.

Anthropology 7
Native Peoples of South America

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC

The course will focus on the study of native peoples of South America, including their prehistory, social, political and religious beliefs.  The impact of European contact and resultant adaptations, as well as current life situations of tribal descendants in contemporary society, will also be examined.

Anthropology 8
Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU,UC
This course is a survey of ancient Indian cultures of North, Central and South America, including their prehistory, and social, political and religious beliefs.  The role which Central America played in the development of pre-Columbian societies will be examined.  The impact of European contact and resulting adaptations will be evaluated, as will current life situations of indigenous descendants in contemporary society.

Anthropology 9
Women, Culture, and Society

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC

This course is a cross-cultural survey of women in various types of societies including band, tribal, chiefdom and state level societies.  Topics will include women’s roles in subsistence strategies, economics, kinship, marriage and the family, political organization, religion and expressive culture.  The changing status of women in diverse cultures will be examined as well as the factors that contribute to these changes.  The impact of biology and culture on sex roles will also be evaluated.

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Anthropology 10
Medical Anthropology

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

This course is a cross-cultural survey of healing systems in traditional as well as modern societies.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding culture specific perceptions of disease.  Topics include healers and healing roles, perceptions of the body, the role of power in the organization of medical institutions, and applied medical anthropology.

Anthropology 11
Anthropology of Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft

3 units; 3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for English 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC

This course is a cross-cultural and evolutionary survey of the supernatural.  It includes an examination of magic and witchcraft practices and the different functions they play in various world societies including hunting and gathering groups, tribal level and state level societies.  Additionally, religious beliefs, symbolism and ritual are explained from an anthropological perspective.

Anthropology 20A (formerly 20abcd)
Introduction to Museum Studies

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 1 hour lab plus 2 hours to be arranged
Recommended Preparation: Anthropology 2
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

This course examines careers in museums, including curation, conservation, registration, the design of exhibits, collections management and educational programs.  Participants in the course will plan, design and install an exhibit in the Anthropology Museum involving two- and three-dimensional artworks, and participate in all aspects of curation.

Note: No background in Anthropology is required.

Anthropology 20B
Advanced Museum Studies

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 1 hour lab plus 2 hours to be arranged
Prerequisite: Anthropology 20A with a minimum grade of C
Recommended Preparation: Anthropology 2
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

This course offers advanced professional training in areas of museum work.  Directed, specialized projects will be undertaken in areas of curation, registration, conservation, exhibits design or facility management.  Course participants will assume a position of greater responsibility in the planning and execution of an exhibit in the Anthropology Museum.

Anthropology 50
Special Topics in Anthropology

Units determined by individual course;
lecture/lab hours determined by individual course
Credit status determined by individual course

This course is designed to explore topics in Anthropology more specific than provided in other courses in the regular departmental curriculum.  Students are referred to the current schedule of classes for details of specific courses.

Anthropology 96abcd
Cooperative Career Education

2-4 units; hours to be arranged
Enrollment Limitation: 
Parallel Plan (Work and Attend School at the Same Time):
Enrollment in a minimum of seven units, including Cooperative Career Education;
employment in a job related to the major or career goal by the third week of the semester;
completion of or current enrollment in one course from the major
Alternate Plan (Work and Attend School Alternately):
Successful completion of one semester at El Camino College including
one course from the major before initial enrollment in plan;
enrollment limited to one other class during the semester;
employment in a job related to the major or career goal by the third week of the semester;
successful completion of at least seven units of other class work at El Camino before re-enrolling in plan
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU-limitations apply

Through a set of learning objectives established by the student, employer, and instructor, each student will work with and learn from experts in the Anthropology field.  These experiences will enable students to improve job skills, analyze career opportunities and requirements, and compare these to personal potential and expectations.

Note:  The maximum total units earned for CCE under both plans may not exceed 16 units.

Anthropology 99abc
Independent Study

1-3 units; hours to be arranged
Enrollment Limitation:  two courses in Anthropology with a minimum grade of B
in each and acknowledgment by the instructor with whom the student will work
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC - limitations apply

This course provides advanced studies in a subject field of Anthropology not covered in the regular departmental offerings.  Regular conferences will be held with the instructor to discuss and coordinate the assigned projects (60 hours per unit).

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