AMST 170 - Topics in Anthropology

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Introduction to anthropology through a focus on a particular issue or aspect of human experience. Topics vary, but may include Anthropology through Film, American Popular Culture, Extinctions, Peoples of the World.

Topic for 2015/16b: The Peopling of the Americas. (Same as ANTH 170 ) Did people first come to the Americas from Asia or Europe? By foot or by boat or by spaceship? In this course we will investigate when and by whom and by what route North and South America were populated. According to current scientific thought, the Americas are the land mass most recently populated by humans, while many Native American groups firmly believe they have always lived here; Caleb Atwater thought Mississippian sites were founded by one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel, others think sailors from across the Pacific brought civilization to the Americas. Such issues have been major foci of Americanist archaeological theory since archaeology began in this country, and we will examine both the theories and what they say about the attitudes of the Americans who promulgated and promulgate them. Ms. Johnson.

Open only to freshmen; satisfies the college requirement for Freshmen Writing Seminar.

Two 75-minute periods.