Academics at Hanover:
One species with 6,000 languages and countless cultural manifestations. Anthropology students study what it means to be human and use that knowledge to navigate relationships. With an emphasis in cultural anthropology, Hanover will help you develop an understanding of your own culture and the diverse cultures of those very different from you.
Our accomplished faculty will closely mentor you, and you may have the opportunity to assist with research or even co-author journal articles. As you learn about the complexities of human communication, you can use it to help people understand each other – whether in political situations, business dealings or family institutions.
“There are very few degrees you can get that apply to everything. I’m still going back to the lessons I learned at Hanover. It’s a transformation of how you think about the world – what else can you ask from a college degree?”
Rob Moore ’03
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH
Put your classroom learning into action through academic internships or independent study courses. You’ll have the freedom to pursue your personal interests while receiving support from our faculty.
Recent internships have included:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Native American Camp
- Fifth Judicial Court of Indiana
- Reach Our Youth, Inc.
- The Philadelphia Center
- The Washington Center
- Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Recent independent studies have included:
- An Ethnographic Study of an American Zen Center
- The Life History of a Carmelite Nun
- An Anthropological Analysis of Western Stereotypes of the Veil among American Muslims
- A Study of Student Attitudes Towards Interethnic Dating on a College Campus
- The Practices and Beliefs of Christian Student Organizations on a College Campus
WHAT DO ANTHROPOLOGY MAJORS STUDY?
In addition to required anthropology classes, students choose from a wide range of courses, such as:
- Modern Africa
- Native American cultures
- Comparative spiritual traditions
- Food, body and culture
- Gender in cross-cultural perspective
- And many more
Previous graduates’ career and professional placements have included:
- Consultant
- Smithsonian Institution or other museum
- Archaeologist
- National Park Service
- College Professor
- United Nations Relief Agency
- Zoologist
- Community and Regional Planning
- Forensic Criminologist
- Urban Development
- Research Analyst
- Immigration Service/Refugee Support
- Foreign Service
- Cultural Resource Management
- Anthropological Medicine
Graduate school placements have included:
- William and Mary
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Cairo
- International University
- Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
- Ball State University
- University of Miami at Ohio
- Oriental School of Medicine, Seattle
- Brandeis University
COURSES
Number
Name
Units
Description
ANTH 161
Africa Today
1.00
Examines specific contemporary African societies and cultures from a cross-temporal, cross-cultural perspective. Topics addressed include education, health and healing, religion, development, identity and popular culture. Partially satisfies the Modern Societies LADR and satisfies the Other Cultures LADR. Can count as an elective within the Anthropology major. Partially satisfies the HS CCR and satisfies CP ACE.
ANTH 162
World Cultures & Societies
1.00
Explores contemporary world cultures and societies from an anthropological perspective and challenges students to think critically and comparatively about cultural diversity, question basic assumptions, and gain new perspectives on the remarkable variety of the human experience. Focuses on shared symbolic systems and social institutions such as kinship/marriage/family; gender; language; economics, politics; food procurement; religion; art and processes of colonialism; post- colonialism; globalization; development; and transnationalism. Serves as a gateway course in the cultural anthropology major. Partially satisfies the HS CCR and satisfies W1 and CP ACE.
ANTH 222
World Ethnographies
1.00
Examines vastly different cultures from around the world through the reading and study of ethnography—richly descriptive and analytic accounts of particular cultures. Identical to SOC 222. Prerequisite: ANTH 162 or a sociology gateway course. Partially satisfies the LA CCR and satisfies W1 and CP ACE.
ANTH 223
Art & Social LIfe in Taiwan
1.00
Examines how material culture was created, viewed, and used by different peole in Ancient China and modern day Taiwan through visits to museums, cultural sites, and public places in Taipei, Taiwan. Uses art historical, anthropological, and sociological perspectives to understand cultural representations and human social behaviors. Offered during Spring Term only. Satisfies the CP ACE. Identical to ANTH223/ARTH223/SOC223. Not open to students with prior credit in these cross-listed courses.
ANTH 228
Archaeological Methods and Theory
1.00
This course introduces the discipline of archaeology and the methods used by archaeologists to study the human past through material remains. Both within and outside of the classroom, a wide range of techniques will be explained and evaluated, including: preliminary research design, excavation,
data collection and analysis, dating methods, sampling, geophysical exploration, surface survey, site preservation, and artifact conservation. Much of the requisite work will take place outside of the classroom, and every student will be required to participate in active fieldwork throughout the semester. Identical to CLA 228
ANTH 233
Native North America:Peoples & Cult
1.00
Explores, through comparisons and contrasts, the socio-cultural systems of Native North Americans across the continent. Topics include genocide and cultural survival; kinship, family, and gender; human rights; politics and ethnic conflict; education and religion; and cultural representation and identity. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies CP ACE.
ANTH 238
Middle East: Peoples and Cultures
1.00
Explores, through comparisons and contrasts, the socio-cultural systems of the central Middle Eastern region, with emphasis on: kinship, family and gender; politics; the colonial experience; modernization; education; international development; religion; and ethnic conflict. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 242
North & West Africa:Peoples & Cult.
1.00
Explores, through comparisons and contrasts, the socio-cultural systems of northern and western Africa, with emphasis on: kinship, family, and gender; politics; the colonial experience; modernization; education; international development; religion; and ethnic conflict. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 243
East & South Africa:Peoples & Cult.
1.00
Explores, through comparisons and contrasts, the socio-cultural systems of eastern and southern Africa, with emphasis on: kinship, family and gender; politics; the colonial experience; modernization; education; international development; religion; and ethnic conflict. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 259
Immigration and Transnationalism
1.00
Examines how various immigrant groups negotiate cultural landscapes as previous identities conflict with present national loyalties and expectations. Also explores pan-ethnic cultural affiliations in urban America and investigates the impacts of transnational citizens on the home culture. Identical to Soc 259. Prerequisite: 162 or a sociology gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies CP ACE.
ANTH 311
The World of Islam
1.00
Examines the religion of Islam, within specific cultures world wide, concentrating on – but not limited to – the Middle East and Asia. Both pre-modern and modern aspects of Islam will be explored, such as the various intellectual schools, Islam and modernity, gender, politics, and globalization. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Offered alternate years. Satisfies RP CCR and W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 316
Comparative Spiritual Traditions
1.00
Compares and contrasts two different religious traditions, at least one non-Western, in the light of the inner dimension of their beliefs and practices. Utilizes historical, indigenous, textual, philosophical and anthropological sources to uncover similarities and differences among people living these traditions. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Satisfies RP CCR and W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 325
Methods in Anthropology
1.00
Application of anthropological theory and research methods in student-designed local research projects. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: 162 and one additional anthropology course. Satisfies S ACE.
ANTH 332
Food, Body, and Culture
1.00
Compares different cultures by looking at cuisine and health. Seeks to explore cultural ideas and ideals concerning the human form, specifically through how people physically manipulate and symbolically construct meanings around the food we consume or those considered taboo for human consumption. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Satisfies: “Topic” in Cultural Anthropology. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies S and CP ACE.
ANTH 333
Magic, Witchcraft and Religion
1.00
Examines how ideologies and belief systems such as magic, witchcraft, religion, and science serve to explain and guide individual choices and social actions in other parts of the world as well as in our own backyard. Primary focus will be on non-western cultures, but with some applications to American society. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Satisfies RP CCR and W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 334
International Development
1.00
Examines histories, theories, policies, and practices of international development from a comparative cross-cultural perspective. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies W2 and CP ACE.
ANTH 336
Gender in Cross-Cult. Perspective
1.00
Examines a variety of theoretical perspectives in the study of gender. Explores what it means to be “women” and “men” in different cultures and societies. Investigates categories of gender that permeate people’s daily lives, especially in non-western societies. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Anth 162 or a Soc gateway course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies S and CP ACE.
ANTH 424
Theory in Anthropology
1.00
A study of the major theoretical perspectives and prominent scholars that shape the discipline of anthropology. Offered alternate years. Prerequisites: 162 and one additional anthropology course. Partially satisfies HS CCR and satisfies W2 ACE.
ANTH 461
Senior Seminar
1.00
A culminating experience emphasizing advanced research and theory. Open only to majors in Anthropology.
