People. Homo Sapiens. That’s us.

What makes us us? How do we understand others like us who live half a world away with different customs and beliefs or those who lived thousands of years ago? The answer is anthropology. Anthropology has four subfields. They are archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology and linguistics.

“The goal of anthropology is to explore the question of ‘what does it mean to be human,’ which includes examining what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what could happen later on,” said Sarah Martin, an anthropology professor at SFCC.

Currently there are two anthropology classes offered at SFCC: Survey of Anthropology (ANTH& 100) and Cultural Anthropology (ANTH& 206).

In the 2019-20 school year, SFCC will double the number of anthropology classes it offers. Starting fall quarter, students can take Archaeology (ANTH& 204). Biological Anthropology (ANTH& 205) will be available for the first time in Winter 2020.

Archaeology is the study of humankind in the past and their cultures.

“I view archaeology as providing the link between written record and physical evidence, ultimately bringing the past to life,” Martin said. “It creates a story – inferred by scientific evidence – about our past even down to the details of what individual did on a daily basis.”

But it’s not just about the items made by the humans of yesterday. Archaeologists also seek to understand the natural environment they lived in.

A different part of anthropology that dives into the natural world is biological anthropology. It is about the physical traits that make us human and when they appeared on evolutionary scene as well as how they continue to change today.

“The ‘work’ of a biological anthropologists spans a wide range, including identifying human remains both past and present, living among a current human population perhaps collecting data on breastfeeding cultural practices and links to health of the mother and infant, trekking through the forest in Madagascar to observe ring-tailed lemurs, employing laboratory techniques to analyze isotopic signals and biomarkers, and the list goes on of possibilities to research the question of what it means to be human,” said Martin.

Needing a non-lab science course? ANTH& 205 fits the bill.

Other professors in the Spokane area have high praise for the opportunity students have to expand their understanding of anthropology.

“I am impressed that SFCC offers such an extensive area of anthropology courses,” said David  Beine, an anthropology professor at Great Northern University, a Christian liberal arts university in Spokane. “This is unusual for a community college.  It is great that they are offering courses from the various subfields.  This will well prepare students for future higher education opportunities in the field.”

Curious about any of these courses?

You can now enroll to take Survey of Anthropology (ANTH& 100), Cultural Anthropology (ANTH& 206), and Archaeology (ANTH& 204) during Fall 2019 Quarter. See your adviser or ctcLink for more details!