Anthropology
8 courses · Golden West College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ANTH G100 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 120
This course examines the theories, methods, and applications of anthropological inquiry with an emphasis on cultural and social models. Topics including language, foodways, economies, politics, race, gender, kinship, religion, art, media, and medicine are evaluated within the contexts of globalization, transnationalism, and the environment. This course explores these topics through historical, contemporary, and cross-cultural examples of various societies from around the world.
ANTH G130 Introduction to Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 150
An introduction to the theories, methods and applications of archaeological inquiry using a comparative approach to reconstruct the social and political systems of ancient world cultures. The course includes a discussion of fieldwork methods; dating techniques; human paleontology; faunal and botanical evidence; historical archaeology; cultural resource management; and professional ethics.
ANTH G140 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a cross-cultural, holistic overview of magic, witchcraft and religion from past and present societies around the world. Students will identify and compare a variety of supernatural beliefs and practices within the context of theoretical perspectives in anthropology. Practical influences on social and political systems, as well as biological and psychological impacts, will be explored. Special topics include mythology, symbolism, rituals, shamanism, magic, witchcraft, gods, spirits, the afterlife, cults, world religions, and contemporary religious movements.
ANTH G150 Native Peoples of North America
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines the lifeways of native peoples of North America through an anthropological lens. The political organization, social structure, economies, environments, material culture, language, medicine, technology, art, and belief systems of native peoples will be explored through historical and contemporary contexts. Geocultural regions include the Arctic, Subarctic, Plateau, Northwest Coast, Great Basin, California, Southwest, Great Plains, Northeast, and Southeast. This course critically analyzes the impacts of Colonialism, governmental policy, and Western culture on historical and contemporary native peoples of North America.
ANTH G185 Physical Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- ANTH G185L.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 110
This course examines primate biology, human evolution, and biocultural variation through the theories, methods, and applications of physical anthropological inquiry. Foundational topics include molecular biology, genetics, living non-human primates, primate behavior, the fossil record, early primates, bipedal ancestors of humans (i.e., hominins), Neanderthals, archaic humans, and forensic anthropology. Cumulative topics include microevolutionary variations of modern humans (e.g., race), impacts of modern lifeways on human health, and the intersections between human biology, culture, and the environment.
ANTH G185L Physical Anthropology Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- ANTH G185 or concurrent enrollment.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 115L
This course examines concepts presented in Physical Anthropology, ANTH G185, through supplemental and practical laboratory exercises. Topics include the scientific method, applied evolutionary theory, cellular structure and function, DNA, protein synthesis, cellular division, inheritance processes, evolutionary forces, skeletal analysis, bioarcheology, forensic anthropology, comparative osteology, primatology, fossil primates, hominin ancestors, anatomically modern humans, and biocultural variations of modern humans.
ANTH G190 Introduction to Linguistics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 130
This course introduces students to language and culture issues in historical linguistics and contemporary perspective. It’s about the nature of language and about how people talk and why they talk the way they do. The complex intersections of language, culture, race, ethnicity, and gender will be explored through social interactions and their dynamics. Field research will be discussed, including goal development and analytical methodologies.
ANTH G200 Gender, Culture, and Society
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- ANTH G100.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- SOCI 140
Formerly: Gender, Sex, and Sexuality: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. This course is an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to the topics of gender, sex, and sexuality. Particular emphasis will be given to the role of gender variation in social and cultural identity, inequality, and institutions. Topics are examined through both anthropological and sociological perspectives with cross-cultural, contemporary, historical, and biological components.