Anthropology
16 courses · Victor Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
ANTH 40 Introduction to Ceramic Analysis I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
This course is the first of four possible courses covering archaeological analysis of ceramic production that may lead to an archaeological lab tech certificate. This course introduces the student to the analysis of ceramic material from archaeology sites around the world.
ANTH 101 Introduction to Physical Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 110
Biological anthropology explores the biological development and adaptations of humans in relation to their different natural environments through the biocultural approach. This course provides information on how and why human populations vary within and between themselves; how and why humans have changed biologically and behaviorally through time; physical and behavioral comparisons between human and non-human primates; and biological and behavioral/technological development from the earliest to modern humans. Grade Option. C-ID ANTH 110.
ANTH 101L Physical Anthropology Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 lab hours
- Corequisite
- ANTH 101
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ANTH 115L
Coordinated with the lecture, this optional lab provides hands-on experience in human genetics, variation, and evolution; comparisons of non-human primate behavior; knowledge of the human skeleton, and forensic identification methods. Grade Option. C-ID ANTH 115L.
ANTH 102 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Cultural anthropology explores the social aspect of being human, in context with the multicultural approach. This course provides comparisons of all aspects of culture such as societal organization, economy, marriage and family, language development, gender issues, religion, and traditions and rituals. The development and evolution of culture groups is discussed in relation to how several of these groups successfully adapt to particular environments. Drawing from anthropology and other social sciences, the history and development of modern World System and its effect on culture groups worldwide is outlined. Grade Option.
ANTH 103 Introduction to Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Archaeology is the study of human groups in the context of their historic and prehistoric past. Through the excavation of archaeology sites and laboratory analysis, archaeologists investigate and reconstruct the time frame, the life activities, and technological changes of ancient cultures. This course provides information on the history and development of archaeology, the archaeological methods used to excavate sites, how archaeologists relate the artifacts and other remains found on the sites to human behavior, how the sites within a region relate to each other and the natural surroundings, and the theoretical framework that helps to explain the behavioral and technological changes through time. Grade Option.
ANTH 103FA Beginning Field Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the first of four courses that provide the student with increasing hands-on experience in the excavation and investigation of archaeological sites. Students are required to travel to off campus locations. .
ANTH 103FB Intermediate Field Archaeology I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the second of four courses that provide the student with hands-on experience in the excavation and investigation of archaeological sites. Students are required to travel to off campus locations.
ANTH 103FC Intermediate Field Archaeology II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the third of four courses that provide students with hands-on experience in the excavation and investigation of archaeological sites. Students are required to travel to off campus locations. .
ANTH 103LA Basic Archaeology Lab
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the first of four courses designed as a laboratory class that complements the Archaeology Lecture and Field Courses. The class introduces the students to laboratory work in archaeology, providing entry level hands-on experience. Students learn to process the materials collected from the field class archaeology site. Grade Option.
ANTH 103LB Archaeology Lab II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the second of four courses designed as a laboratory class that complements the Archaeology Field Courses. The class introduces the students to laboratory work in archaeology, providing additional practical hands-on experience. Students learn to process the materials collected from the field class archaeology site, from cleaning and identification to their analysis.
ANTH 103LC Archaeology Lab III
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 108 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is the third of four courses designed as a laboratory class that complements the Archaeology Field Courses. The class introduces the students to laboratory work in archaeology, providing additional practical hands-on experience. Students learn to process the materials collected from the field class archaeology site, from cleaning and identification to their analysis. Grade Option.
ANTH 106 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines human language systems and their significance in social context. Topics that will be covered include: the origins and evolution of language; nonhuman primate communication systems; language classification; language structure; semantic systems; the social and cultural function of language; language acquisition; language change and the reconstruction of language at earlier stages. Grade Option.
ANTH 107 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed to introduce the student to the specialty fields of forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology. The student will become familiar with archaeological field methods and many of the basic techniques used by forensic anthropologists. Grade Option. .
ANTH 109 World Prehistory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the student to a survey of the prehistory of the world through selected archaeology sites with an emphasis on how humankind has altered their environment for better or worse. Human impacts on the planet are not a recent phenomenon.
ANTH 110 North American Prehistory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course examines a prehistory of North America including early European contact. Beginning with the earliest settlements into the New World and continuing with population adaptations to the far north, Pacific Coast, the Great Basin, the Deserts, the Plains, Archaic Eastern Woodlands, the Southwest, Early and Middle Woodlands. This course also examines the anonymous historically under-represented populations.
ANTH 111 California Prehistory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course explores the prehistory of California through archaeological evidence. The course covers the reconstruction of past lifeways of California native populations including resource procurement, settlement patterns, ecology, economy and technological changes through time.