Courses

Spring 2013 Course Descriptions

From the 2012-2013 Millsaps College Catalog

1000 Introduction to Sociology (4 sem. hours). An introductory survey of social structure and human interaction. The course offers an overview of all major sociological concepts, theories, and research methods; explores issues such as socialization, inequality, social order, and social change; and examines the roles the family, religion, mass media, and education play in our lives. Core 6.

1100 Introduction to Anthropology (4 sem. hours). An introduction to the basic concepts and approaches of the study of cultural and social patterns of human societies around the world. Core 6.

1110 Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (4 sem. hours). An introductory archaeological survey of the world's prehistoric cultures, including those in both the old and new world. Core 6.

1710 Human Origins (4 sem. hours). The various lines of evidence about human ancestry will be examined, including population genetics, paleontology, DNA and protein sequencing, "Mitochondrial Eve," chromosome structure, behavior, and linguistics. Current literature will be reviewed. This course includes a laboratory.

2100 Methods and Statistics (4 sem. hours). A critical introduction to issues in research design. Types of data analysis and collection covered include fieldwork, interviewing, coding qualitative data, survey design/execution/analysis, and statistical analysis of numeric/coded data. Attention is also given to what inferences can legitimately be made from data.

2130 Marriage and Family (4 sem. hours). The anthropological and sociological study of human families from a cross-cultural perspective. Examines the origin of the human family and the nature of family life in a number of non-Western societies and in the United States.

2210 Archaeological Method and Theory (4 sem. hours). An introduction to the practice of archaeology. Provides a basic understanding of the ways in which archaeologists study and seek to understand past human behaviors.

2400 Women and Men in Prehistory (4 sem. hours). An examination of cultural evolution from the appearance of homo sapiens until the rise of the first urban civilizations, with an emphasis on exploring the contributions made both by women and men to the process of human development, as well as on the nature of gender in the prehistoric past.

2410 Human Ecology (4 sem. hours). The anthropology of human ecosystems examines the relationship between culture and environment. The course includes research and theory on how preindustrial societies adapt to their environments and on the ecological problems created by industrial societies. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, or permission of the instructor. Offered occasionally.

2500 Sociolinguistics (4 sem. hours). A comprehensive study of language, society, and the social context of linguistic diversity. It brings together the perspectives of linguistics, anthropology, and sociology to examine multilingualism, social dialects, conversational interaction, language attitudes, and language change. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, or permission of instructor. Offered
occasionally.

2600 African Studies Seminar (4 sem. hours). This seminar invites students to examine 'Africa' as a place and an object of study. Students will gain an understanding of the distinct history, characteristics, and cultures of Africa as well as its tremendous complexities. Questions related to philosophy, literature, history, and politics will be examined through text and film. This course serves as the cornerstone of the African Studies minor.

2700 Food and Culture (4 sem. hours). This seminar-style course allows students to explore the multi-faceted connections between the preparation and consumption of food and cultural contexts. Ethnographic studies of food will be the basis for discussions of food's cultural importance and provide a lens into larger discussions of social and cultural theory. This course typically includes shared meals that relate directly
to course materials and are prepared by the students. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, or permission of instructor.

2850 Special Topics in Anthropology (4 sem. hours).

3000 An Ethnographic Vista on Tanzanian Life and Culture (4 sem. hours). This course will offer the students the opportunity to gain a deep and rich firsthand understanding of life, history, economics, and culture in East Africa. This course will begin on the Millsaps College campus with a three-day introduction to Tanzanian history and culture as well as the Swahili language. However, the main component of the course will comprise a four-week study trip to Tanzania that will allow students to engage the contemporary realities of Tanzanian culture and economics. These experiences will be accented by various trips and ethnographic activities designed to further students' understanding of the rich and complex history of East Africa.

3006 Summer in China (6 sem. hours). This course offers a brief yet comprehensive survey of Chinese culture and society through readings and site visits. The class is a four-week summer program (one week in Jackson and three weeks in China) that introduces students to both traditional and contemporary Chinese culture and society.

3110 Archaeology of Selected Culture Areas (4 sem. hours). Explores the archaeological record of a selected prehistoric culture area. Emphasis is on reconstructing ancient lifeways and understanding the processes that create the archaeological record.

3120 Non-Western Societies (4 sem. hours). The course examines both the culture of selected non-Western societies and the range of methodological and theoretical approaches used to understand them.

3200 Religion, Society, and Culture (4 sem. hours). An anthropological and sociological investigation through primary texts and field experiences of the relationships among religious institutions and society and culture.

3210 Urban Life (4 sem. hours). A critical anthropological and sociological examination of the theoretical and empirical literature on the social structure and culture of urban life: the development of cities, the life processes within cities, the relations between cities, and other social and cultural factors making cities more livable. Offered occasionally.

3220 Class, Gender, Race: Social Stratification (4 sem. hours). A sociological examination of the theoretical and empirical literature on the impact of social class, gender, and race on the life course and life chances of people in selected societies. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, junior standing or permission of the instructor.

3300 Health and Illness (4 sem. hours). A sociological investigation of the social and cultural factors and those formal and informal organizations shaping health and illness. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, or permission of the instructor. Offered occasionally.

3400 Native North America (4 sem. hours). This course examines the archaeology and history of the North American Indians, with a special focus on contemporary issues. Various chronological periods and culture areas are explored through the analysis of artifacts, historical documents, and Native American myth, literature, and poetry.

3410 Archaeological Field School (4 sem. hours). This course instructs students in archaeological field methods. Taught at locations off campus, generally for three to five weeks. Students participate in the scientific investigation of an archaeological site through application of various survey and excavation techniques.

3710 Social Psychology (4 sem. hours). Integrates current social and psychological theory regarding communication, group dynamics, aggression, and human relations, with its application to real-world settings. Laboratory component. This course is the same as PSYC 3170. Prerequisite: SOAN 1000, SOAN 1100, or SOAN 1110, or permission of the instructor.

3800-3802 Directed Study in Anthropology or Sociology (1, 2, or 4 sem. hours).

4200 Social and Cultural Theory (4 sem. hours). Critical, comparative, and synthetic examinations of historical and contemporary sociological theory, including functionalism, conflict theory, phenomenology, and symbolic interactionism. Prerequisite: junior standing.

4700-4703 Undergraduate Research (1-4 sem. hours). Research project proposed and conducted independently by a junior or senior, with a report due at end of semester.

4730 Geographic Information Systems and Archaeology (4 sem. hours). A seminar associated with CGMA, a collaboratory for GIS (geographic information systems) and Mediterranean archaeology. This course introduces students to the application of GIS to archaeological problems and questions. The class is taught on a rotating basis at one of four ACM/ACS institutions: instruction is conducted over the web. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

4750-4753 Special Topics in Anthropology (1-4 sem. hours). Areas not normally covered in other courses.

4760 Special Topics in Sociology (4 sem. hours). Areas not normally covered in other
courses.

4770 Undergraduate Research Seminar (4 sem. hours). A seminar in sociological and anthropological research for majors, in which students learn advanced research methods and develop and complete a research project in sociology, anthropology, or archaeology. Prerequisite: SOAN 2100: junior or senior standing only.

4800-4802 Directed Study (1, 2, or 4 sem. hours). Inquiry by a junior or senior capable of independent work with a minimum of supervision, with a report due at end of semester.

4850-4852 Internship (1, 2, or 4 sem. hours). Practical experience and field-based training for majors working with selected organizations engaged in social research, human services, or community services.

4900 Senior Seminar in Anthropology (4 sem. hours). A seminar in anthropological practice and theory in which students read key texts and reflect on their course of study, as well as their concentration.

4910 Senior Seminar in Sociology (4 sem. hours). A seminar in sociological practice and theory in which students read key texts and reflect on their course of study, as well as their concentration.