The relationship of religion to human behavior in societies of various kinds is examined in this course. The objective is to gain an understanding of the different theories that have been offered by anthropologists to explain the widespread existence of religion in modern and tribal societies. Special attention is given to the problem of defining religion and witchcraft, and the religious treatment of death. Uses sociological and anthropological perspectives to examine the roles of women in society from a cross-cultural viewpoint. Topics covered include theories of gender, the comparative position of women in the family and in larger kin groups, economic systems, politics, and religion.
Poverty is a problem confronting most of the world's societies.
This course examines poverty from an economic, political, social, cultural, and psychological point of view. Special attention is given to poverty and programs to combat it in northwestern Pennsylvania. An introduction to the growing field of medical anthropology. Lectures include a history of the field, how culture is involved in human adaptation, nutrition, fertility rates, the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the impact on health of culture change, and the organization of health care in society. This course covers the entire gamut of osteological study beginning with bone histology and osteogenisis.