Anthropology
14 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
ANTH 1 Introduction to Biological Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores and emphasizes the evolution and biological diversity of the human species and our closest living relatives, the non-human primates. Topics include genetics, mechanisms of evolutionary change, primate behavior and ecology, human biological variation and human evolutionary history through examination of the fossil record.
ANTH 1H Honors Introduction to Biological Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, explores and emphasizes the evolution and biological diversity of the human species and our closest living relatives, the non-human primates. Topics include genetics, mechanisms of evolutionary change, primate behavior and ecology, human biological variation and human evolutionary history through examination of the fossil record. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
ANTH 2 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will provide students with an introduction to culture theory as well as to the cross-cultural understanding of human behavior. Emphasis will be placed on subsistence strategies marriage and kinship institutions levels of sociopolitical organization religious systems and the effects of cultural change, mainly as the result of European expansion, industrialization, and globalization.
ANTH 2H Honors Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, will provide students with an introduction to culture theory as well as to the cross-cultural understanding of human behavior. Emphasis will be placed on subsistence strategies; marriage and kinship institutions; levels of sociopolitical organization; religious systems; and the effects of cultural change, mainly as the result of European expansion, industrialization, and globalization. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments.
ANTH 3 Introduction to Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a survey of the field of archaeology in the United States and abroad. It traces the history of archaeology and reviews the concepts, topics of concern, and research methodologies commonly encountered within the field of archaeology. Students will be introduced to basic techniques of soils analysis and archaeological materials analysis.
ANTH 4 Language and Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to the anthropological study of language. Using a cross-cultural perspective, students will examine the relationship between culture and the ways in which humans communicate. Topics include language acquisition, structure, diversity, and change. The social and non-verbal aspects of language will also be explored.
ANTH 4H Honors Language and Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, introduces students to the anthropological study of language. Using a crosscultural approach, students will examine the relationship between language and social factors such as gender, ethnicity and class. Topics will also include structural linguistics, language change, language extinction, language acquisition in children, cognitive aspects of language, language varieties and non-verbal communication. This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research assignments. Note: Students may take either Anthropology 4 or Anthropology 4H. Duplicate credit will not be awarded.
ANTH 5 Biological Anthropology Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- ANTH 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course uses laboratory exercises and hands-on activities to explore the primary topics of biological anthropology. Topics will include principles of evolution, human genetics, forensic anthropology, behavior and anatomy of nonhuman primates, human variation, and fossil evidence for human evolution.
ANTH 6 Native Peoples of North America
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the origins, culture areas, and culture characteristics of native peoples north of Mexico. Topics include the prehistory of these aboriginal New World populations, cultural adaptations to various environments, and interactions with non-natives during and following the period of European expansion.
ANTH 7 Native Peoples of South America
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course focuses on the study of the native peoples of South America. Special emphasis is placed on the understanding of the relationship between the environmental zones of South America and the social, economic, political, and religious institutions of indigenous societies. The current conditions of South American indigenous groups, most often as the result of colonialist policies which include globalization and modernization, are also examined.
ANTH 8 Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course traces the development of the indigenous societies of Mesoamerica (the region stretching from northern Mexico to Honduras and Guatemala) from the entry of humans into the Americas at the end of the Upper Paleolithic Period until the arrival and conquest by the Spaniards in the early sixteenth century AD. Special attention will be given to those societies that achieved chiefdom or state-level political complexity. Topics will include languages, writing systems, belief systems, political systems, economies, and the art of these peoples.
ANTH 9 Women, Culture, and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a cross-cultural survey of women's experiences in various types of societies including band, tribal, chiefdom and state level societies. Topics will include women's roles in subsistence strategies, economics, kinship, marriage and the family, political organization, religion and expressive culture, as well as the cross-cultural social dynamics between men and women. The changing status of women in diverse cultures, the impact of biology and culture on sex roles, and alternate gender categories found in traditional societies will also be examined.
ANTH 11 Anthropology of Religion, Magic and Witchcraft
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a cross-cultural and evolutionary survey of the supernatural. It includes an examination of magic and witchcraft practices and the different functions they play in various world societies including hunting and gathering groups, and tribal level and state level societies. Religious beliefs, symbolism and ritual are explained from an anthropological perspective.
ANTH 20 Introduction to Museum Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ANTH 2
- Formerly
- ANTH 20abcd and ANTH 20A
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to the field of museum studies within an anthropological context. It examines the history of museums, museum careers, ethical issues facing museums, the function and meaning of museum exhibits and the evolving role of the museum in its quest to accurately represent the lives of people from diverse communities. The Anthropology Museum will be used as a model to teach students about museum curation and exhibit design, as well as provide opportunities for the critique and interpretation of anthropological material.