Courses

A general survey of Cultural Anthropology from a behavioral, cognitive, and material perspective and viewed as a social science, focuses on cultural factors that affect human behavior, including a brief overview of the four major fields of anthropology. Topics include cultural change, language, family, religious practices, economic subsistence patterns, and political power systems.

In this course, students learn to write formal manuscripts using APA style. They also learn to read, understand, and critically evaluate behavioral science research as presented in academic journals and conferences. Learners in this course build foundational skills needed to succeed in their future courses.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of both quantitative and qualitative research methods used in behavioral science research, along with an understanding of the ethical considerations and other challenges involved in good research design. Additional topics include measurement, sampling, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

This course examines the basic models of integrating the Christian faith and modern behavioral sciences, including the development of Biblical examples of worldview and epistemology. Emphasis is placed upon the student's development of a personal theory of integration.

This course introduces the various quantitative and qualitative methodologies utilized in behavioral science research. Also included are the collection, treatment, and interpretation of data in research and testing using a statistical analysis application.

This course presents some of the more complex quantitative and qualitative methodologies utilized in behavioral science research. It builds on the various concepts of quantitative research, qualitative research, data collection, analysis, and interpretation introduced in previous courses. This course continues the development of student proficiency with basic and intermediate functions of a statistical analysis application.

A general survey of Physical Anthropology, including evolutionary theory, the primate fossil record, primatology, human variability, and genetics. The history, methods, and theories of archaeology are also considered - covering all eras of the human past, from prehistoric to modern times.

This course addresses anthropological theory in a historical context and explores how the discipline has developed over time. Theories of culture are the main focus, though archeological, physical, and linguistic anthropological theories are discussed. Approaches to understanding human behavior from cognitive, material, and behavioral approaches are central.

An examination of the relationship between culture and language including a basic understanding of language, the development of language, linguistic aspects of culture and how the symbiosis of language and culture affect individuals, groups and nations.

This course focuses on the interaction between personal patterns of behavior and social influences, paying particular attention to media influence and a history of social and psychological perspectives. Students will consider the dynamic between environment and heredity (nature/nurture) as they explore several facets of human behavior.

This course examines an anthropological approach to religion and magic, and its relationship to symbolism, myths, sacred spaces, and rituals. This course investigates anthropological theories of religion providing a multicultural analysis of numerous forms of religious expression. Additionally, this course will examine the subject of "religion" as it intersects with economics, politics, gender, secularism, and post-colonialism.

A practical application of field experience for students in community or campus responsibilities for the Anthropology, Behavioral Science, Psychology, or Sociology majors in a field placement under professional supervision.

This course provides students the opportunity to integrate and demonstrate learning from their major, evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrate an understanding of the integration of a Christian worldview and their major field of study. Students will evaluate their personal goals, calling and purpose as well as develop skills to move toward successful and fruitful participation in multiple levels of community, including graduate school and careers.

This course explores the nature of globalization from multiple perspectives, but especially as evidenced in increasingly dynamic national and ethnic identities, (im)migration, economic disparity, and social systems. Students consider how various cultural elements (including gender ideologies, family systems, religious practices, and economic and political traditions) have been affected as a result of globalization. Using comparative methods alongside anthropological and historical theories, students engage in an interdisciplinary approach to understanding globalization.

An in-depth seminar on a selected topic within Anthropology.

This course will examine patterns of subsistence (economics) and social organization and control. Focusing on case studies and theoretical perspectives in anthropology regarding economics and political systems, students will explore the meaning and function of various approaches to subsistence and social organization. Using the comparative perspective (ethnology), students will also critically assess democracy as it is contextualized among various people groups to consider various forms of political engagement and shape their own views of how cultural groups employ these patterns of culture.

This course explores a diversity of family systems, both modern and historic. Focusing on case studies and theoretical perspectives in anthropology, students will explore the tangible roles family and gender play in everyday life throughout the world. Using the comparative perspective (ethnology), students will shape their perspectives about family and gender through the exploration of cultural groups and the extent to which they employ dynamic family and gender roles.

This introductory course is a survey of the processes of adjustment, growth, learning, remembering, perception, sensation, socialization, and emotions. It is meant to better equip students to understand and articulate their own life experiences, as well as improve their understanding of the behavior of others. This course is a prerequisite to all other courses in Psychology.

The course addresses principles of psychological development across time and culture. Students will understand universal stages of human development, influences on individual differences and the impact of nature and nurture. The course views human development as a unit of interrelated parts, concentrating on the relationships between the mind, body, and the socio-cultural context. Specific consideration is given to issues of integration, culture, and Biblical worldview.

This course is a survey of theories of personality emphasizing various viewpoints, unique theoretical perspectives, functions, and development of basic attitudes and belief systems that influence behavior throughout the life span. The course equips students to actively integrate faith (i.e., biblical principles) with the theories discussed.

Study of the dynamics, cultural implications and prevention of abnormal behavior including neuroses, psychoses, character disorders, psychosomatic reactions and other abnormal personality patterns. Textual and lecture attention will be given to the impact of the environment and oppressed populations in relation to abnormal behavior.

This course is an introduction to the capacity, limitations, and complexities of the human brain and its relationship to the neural and endocrine processes underlying brain function and behavior.