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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Anthropology

Anthropology

Overview

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.

Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using the perspective of cultural relativism. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

Degrees Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Anthropology
  • A.A. in Anthropology
  • Interim Dean Jeff Moran
  • Department Chair Michael Grofe
  • Phone (916) 558-2401
  • Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.
Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using a cultural relativism perspective. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):

(1) Completion of 60-semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.

(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology 3
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory (1)
ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
   or ADMJ 332 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 324 World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
SOC 345 Global Women's Issues (3)
   or WGS 302 Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units: 18

The Associate in Arts in Anthropology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
  • write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
  • reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
  • demonstrate content knowledge in broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropologists with baccalaureate or graduate degrees work as archaeological technicians or project directors for private, state or federal organizations, museum managers, forensic specialists in police departments and crime labs, primatologists and zoo curators, teachers, consultants or analysts for private, government or educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the cultural, biological, and linguistic behavior of people, both past and present, from all parts of the globe. Anthropologists focus on the diversity of modern culture and language around the world, the biocultural evolution of our species through time, and the changes our species underwent from our first steps to the rich diversity of past and present human societies.
Anthropology is a holistic discipline, which means that anthropologists study all aspects of humanity. The field of Anthropology is broken up into four main subfields: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, and Linguistics. Cultural Anthropology is the study of human customs, traditions, and social organization using a cultural relativism perspective. Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution, genetics, biological variation, and the fossil evidence of our earliest human ancestors. Archaeology is the study of the human past through the reconstruction of culture and behavior using material remains left by past people. Linguistic Anthropology studies the role of human language in social interaction and worldview.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory 1
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3) 3
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology (3) 3
   or ANTH 324 World Prehistory (3)
ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics 3
A minimum of 12 units from the following: 12
ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
   or ADMJ 332 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)
ANTH 325 Archaeology of Mesoamerica (3)
ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion (3)
ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California (3)
ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America (3)
ARTH 304 Ancient Art (3)
   or ARTH 484 Ancient Art-Honors (3)
ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 351 Native American Policy and Law (3)
ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
GEOL 310 Historical Geology (3)
HIST 307 History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3)
HIST 360 History of African Civilizations (3)
HIST 364 Asian Civilization (3)
HIST 373 History of Mexico (3)
HIST 380 History of the Middle East (3)
SOC 310 Marriage and the Family (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
WGS 302 Global Women's Issues (3)
   or SOC 345 Global Women's Issues (3)
Total Units: 25

The Anthropology Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • explain the scientific method and the relationship between scientific research and established knowledge.
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological terminology and concepts, such as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
  • write essays explaining anthropological processes in clear and concise terms.
  • reach and express logical conclusions drawn on anthropological data.
  • demonstrate content knowledge in the broad areas of anthropology, including evolution, culture, genetics, archaeology, and human evolution when completing essay, objective, and multiple choice exams.

Career Information

Anthropologists with baccalaureate or graduate degrees work as archaeological technicians or project directors for private, state or federal organizations, museum managers, forensic specialists in police departments and crime labs, primatologists and zoo curators, teachers, consultants or analysts for private, government or educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Anthropology (ANTH) Courses

ANTH 300 Biological Anthropology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5B
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to the science of biological anthropology. The topics to be covered will include: the field of anthropology; the scientific method; genetics and inheritance; natural selection; principles and mechanics of evolution; evidence of evolution; modern human variation; living primates; and the fossil evidence for human evolution.

ANTH 301 Biological Anthropology Laboratory

  • Units:1
  • Hours:54 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:ANTH 300 or 480 with a grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in ANTH 300 or 480.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Cal-GETC Area 5C
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 115L
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This introductory laboratory course is designed to familiarize students with the methods and materials of biological anthropology. Topics of significance covered in the course will include human osteology, forensic anthropology, genetics and evolutionary theory, biological classification, primatology, and the fossil evidence for the evolution of humans and their ancestors.

ANTH 303 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

  • Same As:ADMJ 332
  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ANTH 300 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L5
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an overview of forensic anthropology, an applied field of physical anthropology. Forensic anthropology uses the analysis of human skeletal remains to answer medico-legal questions. This course emphasizes current techniques used in analysis of human skeletal remains, medico-legal procedures, and the role of the anthropologist in the investigative process. It examines the basics of bone biology, methods of skeletal analysis, and recognition of bone pathology and trauma. Students may earn credit for either ANTH 303 or ADMJ 332 but not for both.

ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to the variety of customs, traditions, and forms of social organization in societies around the world. The main goal of the course is to understand the importance of culture for both the individual and societies. Anthropological concepts that will be stressed include human culture and language, cultural relativism, holism, ethnocentrism, cross-cultural comparisons, field work, and theory. Topics include the nature of culture, subsistence methods, religion, linguistics, economic systems, political systems, arts, kinship, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, illness and healing, and globalization and culture change.

ANTH 323 Introduction to Archaeology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 150
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to the concepts, methods, and theoretical perspectives employed in the scientific study of archaeology. Emphasis will be placed on how data is retrieved from the archaeological record and how it can be used to address questions about the development and evolution of human social systems. Topics will include archaeological theory, survey and excavation methods, laboratory analysis, reconstructing past environments, and drawing conclusions about the past from archaeological data. This course will draw upon examples worldwide archaeological sites.

ANTH 324 World Prehistory

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC (Effective Summer 2020-2021)
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an archaeological survey of World Prehistory from the emergence of human culture through the development of early civilizations. By examining the archaeological record of cultures in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands, students will explore the trajectory of human cultures through several key developments including early ice age adaptations, origins of agriculture, establishment of permanent settlements, the rise of complex social organization, and specialized technologies.

ANTH 325 Archaeology of Mesoamerica

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a survey of the anthropology and archaeology of Mesoamerica. It includes an anthropological perspective of the characteristics of past and present Mesoamerican cultures, including languages, writing systems, mythological and religious traditions, social and political organization, gender roles, economic systems, agriculture and astronomy. The course reviews history from the pre-Columbian period through colonization and the current era, including contemporary ethnography and issues of representation.
Students who took this course as ANTH 499 are not eligible to take this course.

ANTH 331 The Anthropology of Religion

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU (formerly ANTH 330); UC (formerly ANTH 330)
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 3B; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course surveys the forms and functions of supernatural belief systems and their associated rituals in various societies. Ethnographic examples are utilized in order to study beliefs and rituals within their sociocultural contexts. Comparisons are then drawn in order to understand the functions of religious and magical beliefs and rituals in human life.

ANTH 332 Native Peoples of California

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a study of the Native inhabitants of California from the prehistoric period to the present time, in addition to offering an introduction to the diversity and complexity of aboriginal California. It includes the environmental adaptation, material culture, social structure, ideology, and response to change. In addition to gaining perspectives on the great diversity of aboriginal cultures in California, the student will examine the impact of the other Native and non-Native groups on those cultures. This course meets the SCC Multicultural Graduation Requirement for comparative examination of diverse culture groups in the U.S.

ANTH 334 Native Peoples of North America

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introductory survey of traditional Native American societies. In this course students will gain an understanding of the peoples and cultures of North America and evaluate native ecological adaptations, languages, social organizations, religion, mythologies and world view, and artistic representations. Perspectives on changes in traditional life and Native Americans' current social roles and statuses will be included.

ANTH 341 Introduction to Linguistics

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L3; Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 130
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course will involve the student in the exploration of language from an anthropological perspective, including the biological basis of language, the role of language in social interaction and world view, minority languages and dialects, bilingualism, literacy, the social motivation of language change, and the impact of language loss. The student will also be introduced to the analytical techniques of linguistics and the demonstration of their relevance to language in sociocultural issues.

ANTH 480 Honors Biological Anthropology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L5; Cal-GETC Area 5B
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a seminar-style honors-level introduction to the science of biological anthropology. Topics will include: the field of anthropology; the scientific method; genetics and inheritance; natural selection; principles and mechanics of evolution; evidence of evolution; modern human variation; living primates; and the fossil evidence for human evolution. Honors courses are open to students who demonstrate an ability to write carefully reasoned, well-organized essays of varying lengths, are prepared to make clear oral presentations in class, and are able to actively contribute to seminar discussions. Credit may be earned for ANTH 480 or ANTH 300 but not for both.

ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGL C1000 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID ANTH 120
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a seminar-style introduction to the variety of customs, traditions, and forms of social organization in a variety of western and non-western societies. The main goal of the course is to understand the importance of culture for both the individual and societies. Anthropological concepts will be emphasized including human culture and language, cultural relativism, holism, ethnocentrism, cross-cultural comparisons, fieldwork, and theory. Topics include the nature of culture, subsistence methods, religion, linguistics, trade and economic systems, arts, kinship, marriage and family systems, technology, and change. This honors section uses an intensive instructional methodology designed to challenge motivated students. Honors courses are open to students who demonstrate an ability to write carefully reasoned, well-organized essays of varying lengths, are prepared to make clear oral presentations in class, and are able to actively contribute to seminar discussions.

Credit may be earned for ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology, but not for both.

ANTH 495 Independent Studies in Anthropology

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an opportunity to take a course in anthropology that covers topics that are not part of the regular curriculum. UC transfer credit will be awarded only after the course has been evaluated by the enrolling UC campus. The units completed for this course cannot be counted towards the minimum 60 units required for admissions.

ANTH 499 Experimental Offering in Anthropology

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog