Course Calendar 2011-2012 - Champlain College Saint-Lambert

Anthropology
381-101-LA
Introduction to Anthropology: Understanding Ourselves
(Level I Anthropology for Social Science students only)
This course introduces the student to the most
fascinating study of them all...ourselves! Who are we?
What does it mean to be human? Where do we come
from? How are we similar and how are we different from
one another and the rest of nature? Were we separately
created or did we evolve from a common ancestor?
What forces shaped us in the past? What were we like
during prehistoric times? When, where and how did we
become civilized? What was early civilization like? In
contrast, what are we like today? Are human races real?
Why are there so many different races and languages on
the planet? Why do people eat such different foods,
wear different clothing, treat sex and marriage so
differently, and worship such different gods? Why does
each group cherish its own way of life while often hating
others? These and many other important questions will
be answered as we begin to explore our biological and
cultural past and present on the planet earth.
3 hours/week Units: 2.00
381-201-LA
Bones, Chimpanzees and Darwin:
The Story of Humankind
(Level II Anthropology for Social Science students only)
This course is an introduction to the biological
development of our species: from our prehistoric origins
to our present day diversity and future. Special attention
is given to Darwin, the Theory of Evolution and the
contributions of primatology to understanding our past.
The different stages of human evolution from Lucy to
Neanderthal man and Cro-Magnon are covered and the
relationships between biological development, cultural
achievements and environment are examined. Finally,
taking into account past physical trends, environmental
conditions and technological breakthroughs (genetic
engineering), we discuss our biological future.
3 hours/week Units: 2.00
Prerequisite: Anthropology 381-101-LA
381-202-LA
Early Civilizations: Origin and Development
(Level II Anthropology for Social Science students only)
This course investigates the origins of human behaviour
and its development up to and including the emergence
of the earliest civilizations of the ancient world. We trace
our cultural development from the making of the first
tools, the discovery of fire, the beginnings of religion, art,
social stratification to the invention of agriculture, law
and warfare and the emergence of the first cities and
civilization. Early centers of civilization in the Middle East,
Africa, Europe, India, Asia and the Americas are
examined as well as other mysteries from our past...the
Nazca lines, Easter Island, Stonehenge, etc. The methods
and techniques of modern archaeology are also
presented.
3 hours/week Units: 2.00
Prerequisite: Anthropology 381-101-LA
381-203-LA
Cultures of the World: Diversity and Development
(Level II Anthropology for Social Science students only)
This course explores the diversity of modern day human
cultures and the concept of "development" within a
global context. Industrial societies like our own are
compared with the non-industrial majority of the world:
hunter-gatherers, tribal herders, gardeners and peasant
farmers. Emphasis is placed on the variety of tools,
techniques we use to get food, shelter, clothing, etc.
from diverse natural environments; how we structure
work, trade and use of resources into very different
economies; how we structure our social relations and
educate our children within very different forms of
family, kinship and marriage; the variety of ways in
which we communicate through our languages and arts;
the various means by which we determine our leaders,
maintain law and order and make war; and finally, the
diverse magical, religious and scientific attempts we
make at explaining our lives. The course concludes by
examining the problems of cross-cultural
communication, contact, change, cooperation and
development.
3 hours/week Units: 2.00
Prerequisite: Anthropology 381-101-LA
381-204-LA
The Myth of Race and the Reality of Racism
(Level II Anthropology for Social Science students only)
This course examines human physical diversity from
historical, biological and cultural perspectives. We see
how human biological differences have been perceived
and studied through the ages. Special attention is given
to the contributions of the biological sciences (genetics)
to our present day understanding of physical variability.
Topics covered also include controversial issues such as
race and behaviour, and race and intelligence. Finally, we
analyze the causes and consequences of racism through
various case studies (Nazi Germany, South Africa, the
United States, Quebec and Canada, etc.).
3 hours/week Units: 2.00
Prerequisite: Anthropology 381-101-LA