Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


 The department offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. Specific offerings for each term may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Course Renumbering Project

Effective the Fall 2017 semester, all undergraduate and graduate courses at Oakland University have been renumbered from 3 digits to 4 digits.

Most subject codes will remain the same, but the new four-digit course numbers may in some cases be similar to the previous three-digit course numbers and in other cases be different because academic departments have resequenced their course numbers.

Follow this link to the conversion list.

This searchable PDF is a guide to see how the course numbers have changed. Each row represents a course, and the columns represent: the subject code, the previous three-digit course number,and the new four-digit course number for that course, beginning in Fall 2017.

To search this PDF for a specific course using the old number, you can just hit “Control” (or “Command” if on Mac) and “F,” then type in a specific course (e.g. “WRT 160”) to find the new course number .

The following subject codes have changed:

  • Studio Art (SA) changed to (ART)
  • Some English (ENG) courses changed to Creative Writing (CW)
  • Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Computer and Information Technology (CIT) changed to Computer Science and Informatics (CSI)
  • Music Theory and Composition (MUT) changed to either Applied Music (MUA) or Musicology and Music Education (MUS)

For more information, please contact your academic adviser. Graduate students, please contact your academic department for advising.

NOTE: If you enrolled or transferred after fall 2014 please be sure to search the 2017-18 catalog courses and review the 3 to 4 digit conversions list.

 

Anthropology

  
  • AN 1111 - Culture and Human Nature

    (4)
    Introduction to cultural and social anthropology with emphasis on the continuing human adaptation to the environment and especially the interactions among culture, society and natural environment. (Formerly AN 102) Satisfies the university general education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area or global perspective knowledge exploration area, not both.
  
  • AN 1511 - Human and Cultural Evolution

    (4)
    Introduction to physical anthropology and archaeology as applied to human and cultural evolution. Stress placed on human adaptation to environment. (Formerly AN 101) Satisfies the university general education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area.
  
  • AN 2000 - Current Issues in Anthropology

    (1 OR 4)
    Designed for the general student, this course examines issues of current interest in anthropology. Topic will be announced at the time of offering. (Formerly AN 190)
  
  • AN 2130 - Global Human Systems

    (4)
    Introductory survey of the world-wide distribution, variation, and interconnections of cultural, economic and political systems. Basic concepts in the field of human geography and other social sciences, as relevant, are introduced as are techniques and tools used in carrying out and expressing geographic analysis. Identical with (IS 200 or IS 2000 ) and (GEO 200 or GEO 2000 ). (Formerly AN 200) Satisfies the university general education requirement in the global perspective knowledge exploration area.
  
  • AN 2140 - Applied Anthropology

    (4)
    Introduces applied anthropology through an examination of cross-cultural training in various fields, such as business, education, economic development, cultural resource management and medical anthropology. Various data collection methods and techniques as well as interpretive strategies are examined. (Formerly AN 210)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3000 - Current Problems in Anthropology

    (4)
    Seminar in which a topic or problem is studied in depth. Each seminar requires independent readings and writing. May be repeated for credit under different subtitle for up to 8 credits. (Formerly AN 392)
    Prerequisite(s): (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 ) or (SOC 205 or SOC 2200 ) and instructor permission.
  
  • AN 3110 - Culture, Society and Technology

    (4)
    Technology has played a critical role in all human evolution. This course provides an historical overview of the ways in which culture has shaped technology and how technology changes cultures. It emphasizes the impact of technology on modern cultures, especially technology emanating from the Western industrial revolution. (Formerly AN 300) Satisfies the university general education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area or the Western civilization knowledge exploration area, not both.
  
  • AN 3120 - Psychological Anthropology

    (4)
    Focuses on the relationship of culture and the individual; considers personality, perception, dreams, and other areas of psychological functioning in cross-cultural perspective and in relation to culture and personality theory. (Formerly AN 310)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3123 - Magic, Witchcraft and Religion

    (4)
    Anthropological theories of magic, witchcraft and religion: human interaction with beings, creatures and forces that manifest extraordinary powers; folk beliefs of non-literate people; and transformation of social systems by religious movements. Identical with (REL 271 or REL 3460 ).  (Formerly AN 271)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3127 - Racial and Ethnic Relations

    (4)
    Identical with (SOC 331 or SOC 3610 ). (Formerly AN 331) Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity. Satisfies the university general education requirement in the knowledge applications integration area. Prerequisite for knowledge applications integration: completion of the general education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area.
    Prerequisite(s): (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 ) or (SOC 205 or SOC 2200 ) or (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3130 - The Life Course in Anthropological Perspective

    (4)
    Socialization from infancy to old age will be considered with examples drawn from a variety of non-industrial societies as well as the literature on primates. Theories of human development across cultures will be viewed in light of this evidence. Identical with (WGS 305 or WGS 3840 ). (Formerly AN 305)
  
  • AN 3132 - Women’s Lives in Cross-Cultural Perspective

    (4)
    The lives of women in a variety of tribal and peasant societies, noting how beliefs, rituals and taboos shape the stages of the female life course and how culture influences women’s reproductive and economic roles. Identical with (WGS 337 or WGS 3815 ). (Formerly AN 337)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (WGS 200 or WGS 1000 )
  
  • AN 3133 - The Food Quest

    (4)
    Relationship of environment, subsistence activities and food-related technologies in a variety of non-industrial societies, including both of food collectors and food producers. Identical with (ENV 322 or ENV 3220 ). (Formerly AN 322)
  
  • AN 3140 - Culture and Society Through Film

    (4)
    The systematic study of selected peoples from different cultures through the ethnographic film and appropriate readings, lectures and discussions. Students learn to evaluate cultural data according to various anthropological concepts and methodologies. (Formerly AN 307)
  
  • AN 3220 - Medical Anthropology

    (4)
    Interaction between biological, ethnopsychiatric and sociocultural environments in health, illness and treatment. Includes historical, organizational, demographic, ecological and other problems in health care delivery. (Formerly AN 333)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 ) or (PSY 100 or PSY 1000 )
  
  • AN 3222 - Forensic Anthropology

    (4)
    Broad overview of topics relevant to forensic anthropology, an applied field of physical anthropology, including basic anatomy and physiology of the human skeleton, various methods of analyzing skeletal remains, and other approaches used by the forensic anthropologist to aid in the identification of decomposed human remains. The role of the forensic anthropologist in matters of interest to law enforcement officials and the medicolegal community.
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ) or (CRJ 100 or CRJ 1100 ) or permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 3230 - Law and Society

    (4)
    Identical with (SOC 320 or SOC 3460 ). (Formerly AN 320)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 ) or (SOC 205 or SOC 2200 )
  
  • AN 3240 - World Regional Geography

    (4)
    Comparative study of the world’s major geographic regions, applying data, methods and theory of geographical analysis. Students will acquire familiarity with these regions and the geographic factors that help to account for their similarities and differences Interaction between regions will also be examined. Identical with (IS 350 or IS 3000 ) and (GEO 350 or GEO 3000 ). (Formerly AN 350)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 200 or AN 2130 ) or (IS 200 or IS 2000 ) or (GEO 200 or GEO 2000 )
  
  • AN 3250 - Peoples and Cultures of China

    (4)
    An anthropological study of China, stressing the variety of cultural and ecological adaptations characteristic of that complex society. (Formerly AN 362)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (IS 210 or IS 2100 )
  
  • AN 3255 - Peoples and Cultures of India

    (4)
    A survey of contemporary society and culture on the Indian subcontinent, with focus on India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; emphasis on social structure, folk religion and the problems of socio-cultural change. (Formerly AN 361)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (IS 240 or IS 2400 )
  
  • AN 3260 - Peoples and First Nations of North America

    (4)
    The cultures of certain Native Americans and Inuit (Eskimo) societies both in traditional times and in their relationship with Western society. (Formerly AN 381) Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity.
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3350 - Peoples and Cultures of Mexico and Central America

    (4)
    Anthropological studies of Indian and Mestizo societies in Mexico and Guatemala, including their separate socio-economic patterns and their integration into a dualistic social system. (Formerly AN 371)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (IS 250 or IS 2500 )
  
  • AN 3360 - Indians of South America

    (4)
    A survey of the native South Americans. Includes warriors of the jungles, peasants and herders of the mountains, nomads of the plains and forests, and subsistence fishermen of the southern coasts. (Formerly AN 372)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (IS 250 or IS 2500 )
  
  • AN 3381 - Anthropological Research Methods

    (4)
    Techniques of anthropological research emphasizing field research methods in cultural anthropology. May include some field work practice. (Formerly AN 302)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 )
  
  • AN 3410 - Museum Studies in Archaeology

    (4)
    The organization, goals and funding of archeological museums. Career preparation including hands-on practical experience in acquisitions, cataloging, preservation, display design and preparation, display evaluation, museum education and outreach programs. (Formerly AN 384)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ) or (AN 383 or AN 3581 ) or permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 3430 - The Archaeology of Civilizations

    (4)
    Analysis of archaeological and written evidence to explain how civilizations developed and declined in the Old World and the New World. Examines cultural evolution from early farming and settlement to the rise and fall of complex civilizations. (Formerly AN 282)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 )
  
  • AN 3450 - Archaeology of North America

    (4)
    Explores the archaeological heritage of North America beginning with founding prehistoric Native American populations and continuing into historical periods. (Formerly AN 380)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 )
  
  • AN 3460 - Pre-Columbian Art

    (4)
    Identical with (AH 309 or AH 3060 ). (Formerly AN 309)
    Prerequisite(s): 4 credits in art history or (IS 250 or IS 2500 )
  
  • AN 3463 - Native American Art

    (4)
    Identical with (AH 308 or AH 3070 ). (Formerly AN 308)
    Prerequisite(s): 4 credits in art history.
  
  • AN 3550 - Archaeology of Mesoamerica

    (4)
    The pre-Hispanic culture of Mexico and Guatemala, the Aztecs and Mayas, and their neighboring and derivative cultures. Detailed discussion of the major archaeological sites. (Formerly AN 370)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ) or (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 3560 - Historical Archaeology

    (4)
    Study of historic cultures, lifeways, and processes of change through combined analysis of documents and material culture, such as settlement patterns, architecture, gravestones, and excavated ceramics, glass, or metal. Special attention given to intersecting cultural structures of gender, race, ethnicity, and class. Identical with (WGS 385 or WGS 3826 ). (Formerly AN 385) Satisfies the university general education requirement in the knowledge application integration area. Prerequisite for knowledge application integration: completion of the university general education requirement in the social science knowledge exploration area. Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity.
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ) or (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (WGS 200 or WGS 1000 ) or permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 3562 - Archaeology of Israel

    (4)
    Ancient cultures found in the ancient Near East with an emphasis on ancient Israel, the history of archaeological research in Israel and the region. Periods reviewed and case studies include the Neolithic (c. 10,000 BCE) to the early Roman Period (c. 1st century CE). (Formerly AN 386)
  
  • AN 3563 - Archaeology, Ideology and Sacred Sites in the Ancient Near East

    (4)
    Archaeology of sacred sites in the wider Near East beginning in the Neolithic period. Anthropological models concerning the archaeology of religion as a discipline are explored. Case studies include sacred sites relevant to Judaism, Christianity and Islam with an emphasis on the history of Jerusalem. (Formerly AN 387)
  
  • AN 3571 - Archaeological Methods and Theory

    (4)
    Introduces the field of anthropological archaeology through examination of theory, data collection methods and techniques, and interpretive strategies used to understand human histories, life-ways and cultural processes. (Formerly AN 222)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 )
  
  • AN 3581 - Archaeological Field School

    (4 OR 8)
    Instruction and field research including site location, excavation, artifact analysis, and conservation. May be repeated for a total of 8 credits, at least 4 of which must be at an approved U.S. archaeological field school. (Formerly AN 383)
    Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 3620 - Primate Behavior

    (4)
    Various bio-social factors that aid the nonhuman primates in their adaptation to the environment, implications for human behavior, classroom discussions and field studies. (Formerly AN 391)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ) or (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) or (PSY 100 or PSY 1000 ) or (SOC 100 or SOC 1000 )
  
  • AN 3720 - Human Adaptation

    (4)
    Examines current theory on the cultural and biological adaptation of human groups to natural and social environments. Identical with (ENV 410 or ENV 4100 ). (Formerly AN 410)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 ), (AN 102 or AN 1111 ), or (AN 322 or AN 3133 )
  
  • AN 3900 - Special Topics in Anthropology

    (4)
    Study of a special topic for which no regular course offerings currently exist. May be repeated for credit under different subtitle. May be used for approved course work taken during study abroad. (Formerly AN 395)
    Prerequisite(s): Anthropology major or permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 3930 - Field Experience in Anthropology

    (4)
    Field experience in anthropology with faculty supervision. An academic project related to the departmental discipline that incorporates student performance in an occupational setting. May not be repeated for credit. (Formerly AN 399)
    Prerequisite(s): Junior/Senior standing; 16 credits in anthropology, of which at least 8 must be at the 3000-4000 level, and permission of the instructor.
  
  • AN 4320 - Social Anthropology

    (4)
    Examines social structure and social organization in anthropological perspective. Entails the study of economic, political, religious and kinship systems in the social life of man. (Formerly AN 401)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 4330 - Systems of Wealth and Power in Anthropological Perspective

    (4)
    Concepts and methods of political and economic anthropology, emphasizing the interrelated state of political and economic phenomena, with particular reference to pre-industrial, non-Western societies. (Formerly AN 430)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 )
  
  • AN 4391 - Anthropological Theory

    (4)
    Surveys the major developments in the history of anthropological theory and traces their impact on present trends in the field. Introduces current theoretical perspectives. (Formerly AN 470) Satisfies the university general education requirement for the capstone experience. Satisfies the university general education requirement for a writing intensive course in the major. Prerequisite for writing intensive: completion of the university writing foundation requirement.
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 102 or AN 1111 ) and junior/senior standing or permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 4720 - Advanced Physical Anthropology

    (4)
    The emergence and diversification of the human species in relation to the morphology and ecology of both modern and fossil man, including physical and physiological variation (sex, race and age), climatic adaptation and population genetics. (Formerly AN 382)
    Prerequisite(s): (AN 101 or AN 1511 )
  
  • AN 4810 - Language and Culture

    (4)
    Identical with (ALS 375 or ALS 4375 ). (Formerly AN 375)
  
  • AN 4830 - Cross Cultural Communication

    (4)
    Identical with (ALS 374 or ALS 4374 ). (Formerly AN 374) Satisfies the university general education requirement in U.S. diversity.
  
  • AN 4996 - Independent Study and Research

    (2 OR 4)
    A tutorial in which the student will pursue a course of reading and research with the instructor. May be repeated only once for credit. (Formerly AN 480)
    Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
  
  • AN 4997 - College Teaching Apprenticeship

    (2 OR 4)
    Supervised participation in teaching an undergraduate course in anthropology, combined with readings and discussion of teaching objectives and methods appropriate for anthropological presentation. May be taken once for credit toward a major. (Formerly AN 497)
    Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.