Anthropology Program
Anthropology Program
Anthropology Program
Prospectus
Anthropology is the holistic study of humankind. The discipline is distinctive among the human sciences and humanities in that cross-cultural (comparative inter-regional or global), ecological, and evolutionary perspectives are commonly employed.
The four major divisions of anthropology are:
- archaeology
- cultural anthropology
- anthropological linguistics
- biological (or physical) anthropology.
A popular misconception of anthropology is that it is the study of ancient remote or exotic living people, but anthropology, in fact, is concerned with studying the cultural, social, and biological configurations of all human societies, past and present.
Given Western Micronesia’s geographic, historical, socio-cultural, and human biological realities, anthropology is a particularly appealing and relevant program of study at the University of Guam. The ever-changing dynamics of Guam’s contemporary multi-cultural society and the presently under-appreciated heritage (historical, cultural, linguistic, and biological) of the indigenous peoples of the Marianas and Micronesia situate the University of Guam as an ideal setting for faculty and students to engage in anthropological, collaborative, and transdisciplinary research.
The Anthropology Teaching Laboratory (HSS-110) and both microfiche and online web-based access to the Human Relations Area Files at RFK Memorial Library are some of the resources available. The program is focused on the study of anthropology of the ocean, culture change, and the maritime and cultural history and adaptations of indigenous Pacific populations.
Faculty members are doing research in maritime archaeology, linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, power, ethnohistory, and visual anthropology.
Learning Outcomes
Graduating students must be able to demonstrate their understandings and competence in applying the dimensions and determinants of human cultural, archaeological, and linguistic diversity.
Graduating anthropology students should successfully demonstrate the ability to:
- Understand the current issues and debates in the sub-fields of anthropology;
- Utilize the concept of cultures as a fundamental organizing concept of anthropology;
- Articulate knowledge of the history and theories of anthropology;
- Collect anthropological data according to generally accepted professional anthropological practices;
- Analyze anthropological data in both oral and written forms.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (39 credit hours)
Required Courses (21 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN101 | INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY + This course is an introduction to anthropology: the comparative study of human beings.
The basic principles of archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and physical
anthropology are explored as they relate to the study of human beings, and to each
other as sub disciplines of anthropology.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| AN203 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY + This course presents a broad overview of the practice and principles of archaeology
introducing regional, maritime, and international approaches. The course covers locating
sites, site surveying, mapping, sampling, excavation, and the recording of cultural
remains, alongside contemporary issues in cultural resource management. In-class learning
is supplemented with intensive field course preparation and participation.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN212 | CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY + This course involves the study of culture, the central concept of anthropology. Traditional
and contemporary theories regarding the nature, structure and dynamics of culture
are examined, as well as human social institutions: marriage and the family, kinship
and descent, social organization, subsistence patterns, economic systems, political
organization, social control, religion and magic and the arts.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN234 | LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY + This course presents linguistic questions, methods, and tools used within anthropology
with special attention to the relation between Oceanic language and culture. Participants
will develop an introductory understanding of the profound implications that language
has for the formation maintenance and change of cultural practices and social events.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN320 | PEOPLE OF THE PACIFIC + AN320 is a study of the cultural anthropology of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia,
the most ethnographically diverse region on the planet. Themes may include art, colonialism,
ethnocentrism, first contact, gender, inequality, intoxication, power, race relations,
religion, ritual, social change, sorcery and tattooing.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN413 | RESEARCH METHODS IN ANTHROPOLOGY + This course covers the use of bibliography, reference tools, and research methods
in Anthropology. Presentation and cooperative evaluation of research materials, methods,
and projects is required. Course may not be repeated for credit.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| MA385 | APPLIED STATISTICS + This course covers: statistical inference, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, correlation,
and non-parametric statistics as applied to the social, life and physical sciences
and to business. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA151 or equivalent course.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN321 | VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY + Visual Anthropology combines filmic theory and practice towards new understandings
of cultural anthropology and contemporary society. This course offers undergraduates
an opportunity to creatively engage in the direction and production of ethnographic
films regarding issues affecting themselves and their community.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN369 | SPECIAL TOPICS + This course provides students with advanced study of specific topics within the field
of anthropology. The course may be repeated for credit when different topics are covered.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| AN381 | ASIA-PACIFIC MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGY + This course introduces students to the distinctive maritime heritage of the Asia-Pacific
region as an example of the world's maritime archaeology to illustrate past and contemporary
connections that communities have with the ocean and its resources.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN462 | ADVANCED FIELD METHODS IN ARCHAEOLOGY + As Resources Permit This course offers advanced training of archaeological field methodology
for advanced students who already have prior knowledge of archaeological field methods.
In addition to focusing on aspects of research design, advanced recovery techniques
and data collation and processing, students will develop on-site decision-making and
problem-solving skills. This course aims to train advanced students to a level where
they can direct archaeological excavation with supervision. Can be repeated for credit
if content is different.
|
3 - 6 credit hours | AS REQUIRED |
| AN341 | CULTURAL ECOLOGY + This course examines the linkages and interactions between human cultures and the
environment, particularly of subsistence peoples in the tropics and the Pacific. Traditional
and contemporary theories and approaches of human adaptation to and modification of
the environment are examined.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| Any upper-level Anthropology (AN) course | 3 credit hours | |
MINOR REQUIREMENTS (21 credit hours)
Required Courses (15 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN101 | INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY + This course is an introduction to anthropology: the comparative study of human beings.
The basic principles of archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and physical
anthropology are explored as they relate to the study of human beings, and to each
other as sub disciplines of anthropology.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| AN203 | INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY + This course presents a broad overview of the practice and principles of archaeology
introducing regional, maritime, and international approaches. The course covers locating
sites, site surveying, mapping, sampling, excavation, and the recording of cultural
remains, alongside contemporary issues in cultural resource management. In-class learning
is supplemented with intensive field course preparation and participation.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN212 | CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY + This course involves the study of culture, the central concept of anthropology. Traditional
and contemporary theories regarding the nature, structure and dynamics of culture
are examined, as well as human social institutions: marriage and the family, kinship
and descent, social organization, subsistence patterns, economic systems, political
organization, social control, religion and magic and the arts.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN234 | LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY + This course presents linguistic questions, methods, and tools used within anthropology
with special attention to the relation between Oceanic language and culture. Participants
will develop an introductory understanding of the profound implications that language
has for the formation maintenance and change of cultural practices and social events.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| AN413 | RESEARCH METHODS IN ANTHROPOLOGY + This course covers the use of bibliography, reference tools, and research methods
in Anthropology. Presentation and cooperative evaluation of research materials, methods,
and projects is required. Course may not be repeated for credit.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (6 credit hours)
Any upper-division (300- or 400-level) Anthropology (AN) courses.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
To meet the university's General Education requirements, follow the Student Advisement Sheet to fulfill all necessary courses. Under the following sections on the General Education advisement sheet, take the courses listed below to satisfy both the General Education requirement and the course requirements for this major.
Tier II: Direction Building (9-11 credit hours)
1) CF, DF, or UU as a prerequisite (can be within a declared major)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN212 | CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY + This course involves the study of culture, the central concept of anthropology. Traditional
and contemporary theories regarding the nature, structure and dynamics of culture
are examined, as well as human social institutions: marriage and the family, kinship
and descent, social organization, subsistence patterns, economic systems, political
organization, social control, religion and magic and the arts.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
2) DF or major exploration
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN234 | LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY + This course presents linguistic questions, methods, and tools used within anthropology
with special attention to the relation between Oceanic language and culture. Participants
will develop an introductory understanding of the profound implications that language
has for the formation maintenance and change of cultural practices and social events.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Tier III: Capstone Experience
1) Major Capstone Experience
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| AN413 | RESEARCH METHODS IN ANTHROPOLOGY + This course covers the use of bibliography, reference tools, and research methods
in Anthropology. Presentation and cooperative evaluation of research materials, methods,
and projects is required. Course may not be repeated for credit.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Office Location: 
