2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin - NMU Bulletin

• Offered: Contact Department
• Prerequisites: AN 100 or AN 101.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Students in this course receive a comprehensive overview of the history of the field of Anthropology from an international perspective. We explore Anthropology’s early obsessions, sociological and evolutionary thought, and the various successes and failures along the way. We also delve into postmodernism, anthropological regionalism, historical particularism, functionalism, neo-materialism, structuralism, ethno-science, globalization, processualism, behavioral ecology, and applied anthropology, among other topics. Our path begins in Medieval Europe in the 16th century and crosses into the present.  

• Offered: Contact Department
• Prerequisites: AN 101.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

This course will cover the topic of historical archaeology with an emphasis on sites from the Great Lakes region, including local historic sites. Each week the class will meet for a short lecture, and for a longer in-the-field project, excavation, and/or research time. Students will gain hands-on in-the-field archaeological survey, mapping, and excavation experience. Students will gain an understanding of the complexity of historical archaeology, including everything from obtaining landowner permission to surveying and mapping, from excavation to laboratory analysis, and from research to interpretation. Students will write up and present their findings, explore related careers, and learn the latest technology in use by historical archaeologists, and learn how historical archaeology adds a new dimension to the history of the Great Lakes region.

• Offered: Contact Department
• Prerequisites: AN 101.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

This course covers a variety of museum topics with a focus on interpreting and using anthropological and archaeological collections in exhibits. Students will gain an understanding of the operations of museum anthropology departments, including working with and curating collections, collections management and conservation methods, and exhibition development. Along the way students explore related careers, and learn the latest museum technology in use by anthropologists. Students learn the role of museums, historical societies, and archaeologists in telling the story of our past through interpretation and dissemination of material culture and historical documents. Students participate in preparing artifacts and objects, displays, and content for real exhibits using archaeological collections; they discuss current laws, controversies, the curation crisis, and issues affecting collecting and the future of museums. Local trips to critically analyze museum exhibits and content labels are included. This course prepares students for summer work at a historical society or museum.

• Offered: Contact Department
• Prerequisites: AN 101
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

This course will emphasize a hands-on approach to learning archaeology lab methods, including for example artifact processing, artifact stabilization, cataloguing, artifact research and analysis, electrolytic cleaning, ceramic refitting, metals analysis, computer graphics, flotation processing of soil samples, and curation practices, among others. Student research will include in-depth artifact research and analysis, interpretation, report preparation, writing skills, and formal presentations. Students will use artifacts and data from a variety of archaeological sites in the Great Lakes region and Midwest, including those excavated during NMU’s summer archaeology field schools (AN 355 summer course).

• Offered: Contact Department
• Prerequisites: AN 100 or AN 101.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Students in this course are introduced to some of the popular myths and mysteries in our society, and in anthropology, including some of the controversies surrounding attempts at archaeological fraud in other countries. Students are introduced to anthropological ethics, uses of archaeology for different political agendas and nationalism, and how to critically analyze various forms of pseudoscience. Techniques for investigating myths, mysteries, sagas, legends, fables, and tales are introduced, while covering a wide range of subject matter. Students learn methods to establish “evidence” and “facts” while exploring alternative forms of explanation and investigation techniques. Do creation myths have any basis in facts? Do legends have any anthropological or archaeological evidence to support them? What new finds have been found that might alter our current understanding of the world? What happens when myth meets science?

• Offered: Fall Winter
• Prerequisites: AD 303 (with a grade of S); completion of studio concentration courses with “B-“ (2.70) average; completion or concurrent enrollment in 400-level studio concentration; acceptance of the AD 499 Senior Capstone Project Application.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Development of a capstone project that demonstrates the student’s competence in their discipline. Project will be exhibited in a school-approved gallery. Practices and expectations for professionals within the various fields of art and design will be discussed. 

• Offered: Winter, even numbered years
• Prerequisites: AD 303 or concurrent enrollment, AD 323A or AD 323B, or instructor permission.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Development of skills and concepts in the production of sculpture using the techniques of foundry style investment bronze and aluminum casting. Concentration is focused upon learning various methods of casting, mold preparation, venting, gating and investing for gravity pour procedures. Students will also learn and practice the operation of the foundry in the production of their assignments.

• Offered: Winter, even numbered years
• Prerequisites: AD 303 or concurrent enrollment, AD 322A or 322B; or instructor permission.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Continuation of the study of the ceramic process to develop a body of work representing a personal approach supported by ideological and theoretical sources. Students will develop documents, objects and images as part of a professional portfolio to support BFA/BA thesis research

• Offered: Fall and Winter, odd numbered years
• Prerequisites: AD 303 or concurrent enrollment, AD 318A or AD 318B, or instructor permission.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Advanced research and visual problem solving. Emphasis is placed on the creation and application of large-scale branding and identity systems.

• Offered: Winter, even numbered years
• Prerequisites: AD 303 or concurrent enrollment, AD 312A or AD 312B, or instructor permission.
• Bulletin Year: 2021 - 2022 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Continued development of digital video and audio production and post-production skills and knowledge emphasizing editing techniques; editing for impact, mood story; professional portfolio and statement development.