Cascade Campus
Cascade Hall (CH), Room 208
971-722-5251
Rock Creek Campus
Building 5, Room 245
971-722-7327
Sylvania Campus
Social Science (SS), Room 201
971-722-4289
pcc.edu/programs/anthropology/
Description
What is Anthropology? The term anthropology comes from the Greek Anthropos, meaning “man” and logos for “study”. In more modern terms anthropology can be defined as the study of human beings or humankind. This study encompasses literally everything about human life. Anthropologists are interested in discovering where, why and when human beings first appeared on earth, as well as understanding how human societies have developed or changed over time. In order to achieve these aims, anthropology often draws on the knowledge and methods of other disciplines such as genetics, biology, history, politics and economics. It also seeks to be holistic, comparative and practical. Anthropologists study differences and similarities among all societies throughout the world.
In addition to identifying features which many societies share, this comparative research highlights the vast diversity of human expression and experience. How individuals impact and are impacted by their society is another prime concern. While anthropologists traditionally concentrated on the study of non-Western cultures today many researchers are investigating the shape of their own society. Because the scope of anthropology is so broad, most anthropologists specialize in one of four sub fields. These fields are biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistic anthropology and cultural anthropology. The anthropology department at Portland Community College offers classes in all four of these sub-fields.
ATH 101. Introduction to Biological Anthropology. 4 Credits.
Introduces biological anthropology and the study of evolution in the context of modern genetics and primate behavior studies. Examines human fossil record, diversity, and commonality of present and past populations of humankind. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/ASOT-B.
ATH 102. Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory. 4 Credits.
Introduces archaeology as the anthropological study of humans in the past and the present through the examination of cultural materials and human remains. Considers archaeological theories and methods and ethical issues related to cultural resource management and excavation. Examines systems of power and social justice related to ancient societies and compares them wit h similar systems and issues in contemporary societies from an anthropological perspective. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/ASOT-B.
ATH 103. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. 4 Credits.
Considers contemporary human cultures from an anthropological perspective. Covers fieldwork, language, race, gender, sex and marriage, kinship, politics, world view, religion, economics, and globalization from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS.
ATH 104. Language and Culture. 4 Credits.
Introduces basic concepts, approaches, and perspectives of linguistic anthropology. Explores how language defines the relationship of the individual to society and the role language plays in constituting power, hierarchy, ethnicity, gender, ideology, and other aspects of social identity. Explores how language can also affect the ways that speakers conceptualize actions and organize the world. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
ATH 207. Anthropological Theories, Methods, and Fieldwork. 4 Credits.
Examines different schools of anthropological thought from a historical perspective. Covers the work of pioneering anthropologists and their contributions to the discipline. Analyzes and describes theories and methods of anthropological fieldwork used by contemporary anthropologists. Covers concepts of culture and the process of cultural marginalization. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT.
ATH 208. Ethnocentrism, Ethnography, and Ethology. 4 Credits.
Examines classic and contemporary ethnographies selected from different areas of the world from an anthropological perspective. Considers the ethics of anthropological research and the effect of anthropological fieldwork on indigenous communities and cultures. Covers anthropologists' role in the field as advocates and activists as well as scientific observers. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/ASOT-B.
ATH 209. Culture, Change, and the Individual. 4 Credits.
Examines the processes of cultural growth, change, and complexity related to the development of contemporary anthropological theory and applied anthropology. Uses ethnographic techniques to study cultural change in developing nations and evaluate its effects on women and other marginalized groups. Includes analyzing the impact of cultural change on United States society and the individual. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAOT.
ATH 212. Introduction to Shamanism. 4 Credits.
Examines shamanism as it is practiced in various cultures around the world. Students will be introduced to the shamanic cosmologies, values and world views of different tribal societies and use participant-observation to explore different styles of shamanic journeying. Core shamanism and the interface of shamanism and modern medicine and psychotherapy will be explored. Prerequisite: WR 121 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement, and ATH 103 or instructor permission. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/AS.
ATH 214. Environment, Animals, and Culture. 4 Credits.
Explores contemporary and historical examples of animal symbolism, food taboos, ethical issues around the treatment of animals or other kinds of human-animal interactions from an anthropological perspective. Introduces ecological anthropology and the sub-field of cultural ecology. Examines systems of power and social justice issues related to sustainability and the equitable use of resources from a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/AS.
ATH 230. Native Americans of Oregon. 4 Credits.
Examines the prehistory, historical, and contemporary cultures, environments, and languages of Oregon's Native peoples. Covers the values, beliefs, kinship, marriage customs, politics, economics, and technology of Native people of Oregon. Considers the impact of colonialism, assimilation, reservations, treaties, Federal Indian policy, and other factors impacting historical and contemporary Oregon Native peoples. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AAOT.
ATH 231. Native Americans of the Northwest. 4 Credits.
Examines the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest from an anthropological perspective. Covers historical and contemporary cultures, concerns, and issues of Natives living in Washington, Alaska, and Southwest Canada. Considers systems of power and social justice issues impacting Native societies in this region. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT.
ATH 232. Native North Americans. 4 Credits.
Examines Native North American cultures from an anthropological perspective. Covers the prehistory, languages, and cultural regions of North America. Considers systems of power and social justice issues related to the historic and contemporary cultures of Native North American societies in different cultural and geographic areas. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available. This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Cultural Literacy, Social Sciences/ASOT-B, Social Sciences/AS, Social Sciences/AAOT, Social Sciences/AAS, Social Sciences/AGS.
ATH 234. Death, Dying, and Forensics in Cross-cultural Perspective. 4 Credits.
Explores cross-cultural variations in human responses to death and dying, including legal and forensic aspects. Discusses the cultural universal of death from an anthropological perspective as experienced and processed by cultures and individuals in different regions of the world. Covers the history and development of contemporary U.S. views on mortality, health, and forensic medicine. Recommended: Introductory course in Anthropology or Sociology. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
ATH 235. Archaeology of the Americas. 4 Credits.
Examines the archaeology and prehistory of the Americas and the impact of European contact and conquest on indigenous cultures. Covers the development of pre-Columbian cultures and civilizations such as the Olmec, the Maya, the Aztec, the Inca or their predecessors from an archaeological perspective. Compares the geographies, values, beliefs, social customs, politics, technologies, and resources of prehistoric cultures in the Americas. Examines systems of power and social justice issues related to excavation, study, and preservation of indigenous human remains. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
ATH 298. Independent Study: Anthropology. 3 Credits.
Individualized, advanced study in areas of anthropology not considered in other courses, to meet special interests or program requirements. Complete a term project and readings approved by the instructor. Recommended: prior study in anthropology and instructor permission. Audit available.