Anthropology and Sociology
Ripon College offers an anthropology major and a combined sociology-anthropology
major. The department also offers minors in both anthropology and sociology.
Both disciplines deal with the interrelationships of people with their
environment and institutions. Anthropology emphasizes the study of
human biological and cultural evolution and uses a holistic and comparative
approach in the study of culture. Sociology focuses on the relationship
of social structure and culture to individual behavior, primarily in
industrialized societies and related problems in social policy. Regardless
of your career goals, a demonstrated anthropological emphasis (in the
form of a major, a double major in another department, or a minor)
indicates a commitment to diversity and intercultural communication.
An emphasis on sociology reflects a desire to understand how people
relate to and can influence society. Anthropology, archaeology and
sociology offer exciting career opportunities for the student interested
in travel, social justice and working with people. Anthropology and
sociology courses are also fundamental to a well-rounded teaching degree
in broad social studies certification. Please speak with the Education
Department for further details.
Anthropology Requirements
Communicating Plus: Anthropology: Students completing
a major in Anthropology develop skills in the four Communicating Plus
areas — written communication, oral communication, critical thinking
and problem solving — in required and elective coursework in
the discipline. The Anthropology major is based on a sequence of courses
that emphasize the staged development of skills and abilities. As students
complete required course work in 100 and 200 level courses, they are
developing skills that will be used for more sophisticated analysis,
problem-solving, and presentation of information and theoretical
perspectives in 300 level elective courses and the senior seminar research
project. Graduates of this program will have had many and varied opportunities
to present their ideas in written and oral forms. They will also have
had many opportunities to engage in the kinds of discussions, debates,
hands-on-learning activities, data analysis, and research through which
anthropologists attempt to integrate humanistic, scientific and social
scientific perspectives to address human problems.
Requirements for a major in anthropology: Thirty-two
credits within the department; 28 must be in anthropology. Required
courses are Anthropology 110, 213, 214, and 402. At least 12 credits
must be at the 300 level and above. No more than one course in independent
study may be applied toward the major.
Requirements for a minor in anthropology: Twenty credits in anthropology including 110, 213, 214, and at least one course at the 300 level or above.
Courses
110. The Human Experience: How To Think Anthropologically (Staff)
Four credits. Introduction to cultures around the world from the development of humans, through prehistory, to the present day. Anthropology involves the holistic study of human life on earth, including economic, social, religious, political, and symbolic systems. Students will explore such diversity through films, workshops, ethnographies, and excavation reports. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement.
116. Practicum in Anthropology (Staff)
One to three credits. An opportunity for students to perform independent work on a topic of interest under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Consent of the department chair and the faculty tutor.
213. Human Origins (Axelrod)
Four credits. The study of human evolution and the development of the capacity for culture. The course covers evolutionary principles, the fossil record of human evolution, primate behavior, human variation, and the question of race. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
214. Dust, Pots, and Empires: How to do Archaeology
Four credits. Offered every spring. Students are introduced to the content and methods of modern archaeological analysis. Topics include the development of cultural chronologies and archaeological cultures and thematic analyses of the many material and cultural components of archaeological investigation. Students watch films, experience hands-on workshops in material culture analysis, and examine world prehistory. Lectures and laboratory work. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
216. Archaeological Methods (Whitehead)
Four credits. A hands-on introduction to archaeological methods. Students will explore the concepts and techniques of archaeological field and laboratory research. Topics covered will include mapping,
surveying, excavation, artifact and material analysis, and model building. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
217. Archaeological Laboratory Techniques (Stovel)
Four credits. A hands-on introduction to the cataloging, illustration, analysis and conservation of archaeological artifacts in the laboratory. Artifacts excavated from local archaeological sites will be used as study material, so students also will gain some understanding of the material culture of ancient and historic North America. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110.
219. Archeological Field School (Stovel)
Three or four credits. A Maymester course. Not offered in 2008. This is a three-week course designed to familiarize the student with basic survey and excavation procedures. It includes attention to artifact identification, recording, cleaning, processing, labeling, cataloging, and description. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
222. Anthropology and Contemporary Global Issues (Axelrod)
Four credits. An analysis of the impact of global changes on societies in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific Islands. The course will address the following issues: the spread of global capitalism,
modernization, urbanization, poverty, detribalization, terrorism, disease, cultural survival and immigration. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
224. Gender Roles in Culture (Axelrod)
Four credits. An examination of the relationship between gender and culture. The course considers the definition of masculine and feminine roles in different cultures and the reasons for their origin. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
226. Indians of North America (Axelrod)
Four credits. A survey of the native peoples and cultures of North America from the time of European contact. The course considers environmental adaptations, political and economic systems, and the impact of European ideas, policies and technologies on native peoples of North America. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
227. Society in India (Axelrod)
Four credits. The transformation of culture and society on the Indian subcontinent since prehistoric times. The course examines the caste system, Hinduism, tribal and village structure, and the social changes influenced by colonialism, urbanization and modernization in contemporary India. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
230. Tombs, Temples and Llamas: Archaeology in Latin America (Stovel)
Four credits. An introduction to the archaeology of Latin America, including the Andes and Mesoamerica. Students will learn about the principal prehistoric cultures of the region and recent historic work. The course also will consider the role of archaeology in various nation-building
Anthropology processes, the political uses of archaeology and the use of the past in current indigenous and human rights debates. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
300. Departmental Studies: (Staff)
Four credits. Special subjects in anthropology not covered by regular courses. Topics are announced as courses are offered. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Some topics may count toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisites: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
313. The Anthropology of Death (Staff)
Four credits. An exploration of the diverse ways that cultures approach and commemorate death, dying and the afterlife. The relationship between funerary practices and gender roles, economics, socio-political structure and ideological concerns are emphasized. Topics discussed include the notion of good and bad death, taboos surrounding the corpse, death as a rite of passage, and the association of mortality with fertility. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
314. Religion, Magic and Witchcraft (Axelrod)
Four credits. The role of the sacred in cultural systems. Topics include: the relationship of belief systems and rituals to other aspects of culture; the differences and similarities between magic, religion, witchcraft and mythology; the development of religious systems; religion as a form of symbolic communication; and cults in the modern world. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Two courses in anthropology or consent of the instructor.
316. The Nature of Culture (Axelrod)
Four credits. The study of anthropological views of culture. The course includes the study of ethnographic and theoretical works representing the major approaches of contemporary anthropology. Prerequisite: Two courses in anthropology or consent of the instructor.
318. Ecological Anthropology (Whitehead)
Four credits. An overview of anthropological approaches to human and cultural ecology, as well as the varied means by which human groups adapt to and modify their environments. Selected topics include the adaptations of foraging groups, horticultural and agricultural peoples, and pastoralists; the problems of defining nature (and what is ‘natural’); and the relationship between ideology and human adaptations. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
323. Topics in Archaeology (Stovel)
Four credits. Special subjects in archaeology not covered by regular courses. Topics are announced as courses are offered. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change. Some topics may count toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
330. Constructing Latin America: Identity and Society (Stovel)
Four credits. This course explores conflicting images of Latin America as represented in novels, news media, films, critical theory and the social sciences. It has two basic goals: 1) introduce students to contemporary fiction from Latin America as a tool for critically evaluating North American representations of other nations; and 2) consider themes such as identity, economic inequality,
democratization and globalization in Latin America from literary sources. Counts toward the Global and Cultural Studies requirement. Prerequisite: Anthropology 110 or consent of the instructor.
333. The Anthropology of Contemporary American Culture (Axelrod)
Four credits. The study of North American culture is anthropology’s greatest challenge and promise. The course considers the relevance of anthropological techniques for the study of North America’s complex multicultural society through analyses of case studies. A second goal of the course is to apply anthropological techniques, research paradigms, and analytic techniques to local student-designed research projects.
402. Seminar in Anthropological Method and Theory (Staff)
Four credits. Selected topics in anthropology. Emphasis is placed on method, theory, and inference. Students will prepare research papers related to specific problems considered each year. Required of all anthropology majors, this course may be repeated for credit when topics differ. Prerequisite:
Open to junior and senior anthropology majors and minors. Other juniors and seniors may be admitted with the consent of the instructor.
541, 542. Independent Study (Staff)
Two to four credits each semester. Supervised investigation related to the student’s area of advanced concentration. The course is designed to promote independent scholarship. Prerequisite: Open to senior majors withconsent of the department chair.
551, 552. Independent Study: Internship (Staff)
One to five credits each semester. Supervised field or laboratory work in an area of anthropology of special interest to the student. Participants are expected to produce a narrative or exhibit in which they reflect on their activities. Prerequisite: 12 credits of anthropology or permission of the supervisor.
Sociology
Communicating Plus: Sociology: All sociology courses
emphasize the application of sociological concepts and knowledge to
case examples and practical problems faced by society, through both
written and oral communication. What is most important to gain from
courses in sociology is a distinctive way of interpreting the world
around us, that is, an understanding of how we may understand the reality
of our social world in sociological terms that are often unfamiliar.
This emphasis on the conceptual will provide the most enduring form
of education, preparing students to assume their roles as citizens
in a humane society, able to critically analyze the causes of problems
we face, and to take an active role in discovering and working toward
their solution. All sociology courses incorporate learning and teaching
strategies to further achievement of these educational goals.
Requirements for a major in sociology-anthropology: Sociology 110, 115, 401, 402 and eight other credits in sociology, and 12 credits in anthropology. At least 12 credits must be at the 300 level or above. Mathematics 120 is a corequisite for Sociology 401, but is not part of the sociology-anthropology major. Four credits from such off-campus study programs as the Chicago Urban Studies Semester may be counted toward the anthropology portion of the major depending on individual circumstances; consult Professor Clark. Students who wish to double major in anthropology and sociology-anthropology may only apply one anthropology course toward both majors.
Requirements for a minor in sociology: Sociology 110, 115, and 12 other credits in sociology to be selected in consultation with the sociology advisor.
Courses
Designed for first-year students and open to upperclass students.
110. Introduction to Sociology (Clark)
Four credits. Examines core concepts related to the discipline of sociology, emphasizing those related to the basic institutions of the family, education, religion, politics, and economics.
115. Social Problems (Clark)
Four credits. Selected problems in deviant behavior, social inequality, social institutions and social change in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the nature of each problem, its effects on American society, its causes and possible solutions.
Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
202. Sociology Through Film (Clark)
Four credits. Not offered in 2007-08. Examines a variety of films from a sociological perspective. Emphasis will be given to how feature length and documentary films portray characters’ race and ethnicity, gender, social class, and sexuality, as well as what these portrayals indicate about the larger societies in which they are situated. Weekly film screenings will be supplemented with course readings, class discussions, analytic papers about the films and examinations. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.
204. Sociology of Jobs and Work (Clark)
Four credits. Not offered in 2007-08. Examines the field of sociology through the study of work and occupations. Topics include the social evolution of work, the various types of work and the social meanings attached to them, inequality in the workplace and the future of work. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.
Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
300. Departmental Studies (Staff)
Four credits. Special subjects in sociology not covered by regular courses. Topics are announced as courses are offered. This course may be repeated for credit when topics change.
302. Sociology of Health and Medicine (Clark)
Four credits. Not offered in 2007-08. Focuses on the institution of medicine in contemporary industrial society. Topics include societal and individual views of disease, social epidemiology, the medical professions, society’s treatment of death and dying, health care delivery systems, health policy, and ethical issues in health care. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.
304. Sociology of Inequality (Clark)
Four credits. Focuses on inequalities of class, race, and gender in American society. Topics include the relationship of social inequality to social class and life chances, the social construction of race and gender, how ideas about race and gender have been and are used to justify unequal treatment,
and the consequences this has for people’s everyday lives. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.
306. Criminology (Staff)
Four credits. Examines the problem of crime in American society. Topics include definition and measurement of criminality, patterns of criminal behavior, theories of crime causation, the criminal justice system and crime policy. Prerequisite: Sociology 110 or 115.
401. Methods of Social Research (Clark)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Methods by which sociologists design research, collect and analyze data, and present results. Topics include techniques for collecting quantitative and qualitative data, strategies for deductive and inductive analysis, and the interpretation of results. Prerequisites: Twelve credits in sociology; Mathematics 120 (should be taken concurrently or the preceding semester). Limited to junior or senior sociology-anthropology majors, sociology minors, and others by consent of the instructor.
402. Social Research Project (Clark)
Four credits. Offered in 2007-08 and alternate years. Individually supervised research project, including formulation of a problem, review of literature, research design, data collection, analysis, and public presentation of results in an original paper. Prerequisites: Sociology 401, 12 other credits in sociology, Mathematics 120.
541, 542. Independent Study (Clark)
Two to four credits each semester. Offered on request. Supervised investigation in a problem area in sociology of special interest to the student. Prerequisites: Senior standing, consent of the instructor, 12 credits in sociology.
551, 552. Internship (Clark)
Two to five credits each semester. A supervised field study internship in a social-service agency. Students write a paper describing and critically analyzing the field experience and present a public report on their internship. May be repeated for up to a total of eight credits. Limited number of positions available, open by competitive application only; senior sociology-anthropology majors given preference. Interested students must consult the instructor prior to registration. Prerequisites: Sociology 110, 115, and at least eight other credits in sociology; junior or senior standing.
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