Yarmouk University

 

Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology

Department of Anthropology

 

 

 

Study Plan for Master’s Degree in Anthropology

(Thesis Track)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

Firstly: The applicant for admission to this program is required to:

 

• To have Bachelor degree in any discipline
• To pass the foreign language requirement to join the program according to university’s instructions
• Any other conditions approved by the relevant committees and councils.

 

Secondly: A master's degree in anthropology / thesis track is awarded - after completing the following requirements:

 

• Satisfying the conditions specified in the Master’s Program Instructions No. (3) for the year 2011
• Study the prerequisite courses decided by the Graduate Studies Committee in the department.
• Studying no less than (24) credit hours from level (600) and succeeding in them with a GPA of no less than 75%

 

1. A) Mandatory specialization requirements, (15) credit hours are allocated for them as follows:

 

Course No	Course Title	Credit Hours
ANTH 601	Anthropological Research Methods	3
ANTH 611	Anthropological Theories	3
ANTH 612	Anthropology of the Middle East	3
ANTH 621	Recent Studies in Bioarchaeology	3
ANTH 622	Theories of Human Evolution	3

 

 

 

 

1. B) Elective specialization requirements, (9) credit hours are allocated for them as follows:

• A student intending to major in social anthropology, studies from the following group:

 

Course No	Course Title	Credit Hours
ANTH 613	Anthropology of Family and Gender	3
ANTH 614	Dynamics of Social Change	3
ANTH 615	Anthropology of Media and Virtual World	3
ANTH 616	Anthropology of Conflict and Migration	3
ANTH 618	Ecological and Cultural Systems Throughout History (Pastoral, Agricultural and Urban Societies)	3
ANTH 619	Especial Topics in Social Anthropology	3

 

• A student intending to major in Physical anthropology, studies from the following group:

 

Course No	Course Title	Credit Hours
ANTH 623	Bioarchaeology  of Jordan	3
ANTH 624	Modern Techniques in Bioarchaeology	3
ANTH 625	Advanced Forensic Anthropology	3
ANTH 626	Population Genetics	3
ANTH 628	Especial Topics in Medical Anthropology	3
ANTH 629	Especial Topics in Physical Anthropology	3

 

 

 

 

9 credit hours allocated for preparing the master's thesis and succeeding the oral exam. The thesis course for registration purposes appears as follows:

 

 

Description, Objectives and Learning Outcomes of the Courses Offered  in the Plan

 

ANTH 601 Anthropological Research Methods

 

Course Goals:

• To provide the students with the required skills to conduct scientific research and analysis.
• To define what is meant by the term data.
• The student would know the differences between data and data analysis, and interpretations.
• To distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative methods.
• To teach student the difference between methodologies based on the researcher's point of view and methodologies based on the participant's point of view. \

 

Course description:

This course aims to enable the students to use the methodological and conceptual tools that enable them to build scientific knowledge and anthropological and ethnographic scientific text.

As well as, enabling the student to undertake anthropological and ethnographic scientific research step by step in an organized and concise manner. The course covers the importance of fieldwork and ethnographic research, as well as the most important means of collecting quantitative and qualitative ethnographic data. The course also includes presenting the most important methodological techniques in terms of interpreting and analyzing research and ethnographic data.

 

Course outcomes:

• To formulate and discuss the research methods in general, and the anthropological methods in particular.
• The student would be able to define what is meant by the concept of ethnography, its importance and the stages to produce an ethnographic work.
• The student would be able to conduct scientific research and scientific analysis.
• The student can define what is meant by the term data.
• The student would know the difference between data and data analysis and, interpretations.
• The student distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative methods.
• The student to differentiate between methodologies based on the researcher's point of view and methodologies based on the participant’s point of view “The Emic and Etic”

 

 

ANTH 611 Anthropological Theories

 

Course Goals:

• The student would be able to identify the importance of anthropological theories
• The student to know the criticisms to each of the anthropological theories.
• The student would be able to understand the socio-historical context in which each anthropological theory emerged.

 

Course description:

This course aims to strengthen the students’ theoretical background, which will later enable them to analyze and interpret data collected in the field. This course covers the development of theories in anthropology since the emergent of the discipline in the first half of the nineteenth century until this time. The course also discusses the various types of theories, such as evolutionary theory, the historical and diffusion, functionalism, constructivism, the network of relationships, social interaction, symbolic and postmodern theories, in order to employ these theories in the analysis of societal phenomena.

 

Course outcomes:

• The student provides multiple definitions of the term theory and anthropological theory.
• The student knows the importance of anthropological theories
• The student knows the various anthropological theories and the principle concepts in each theory.
• The student knows the criticisms to each of the anthropological theories.
• The student knows the socio-historical context in which each anthropological theory emerged.

 

 

 

 

ANTH 612: Anthropology of the Middle East

 

Course objectives:

• The student would be familiar with the different definitions of the concept of the Middle East.
• The student knows the geographical, historical and ideological implications of the concept of the Middle East.
• The student knows the historical development of studies related to Middle Eastern societies.
• The student knows the most important articles of the Orientalist discourse on the societies of the Middle East.

 

Course description:

This course aims to introduce the culture and structure of the Middle Eastern societies that make them different from other cultural regions in the world. This course also deals with the term Middle East and the debate surrounding it. It also provides a critical survey of anthropological studies and writings about it, as well as discusses a number of selected topics relevant to societies and cultures in the Middle East, such as the state, tribe, gender, ethnicity and sect.

 

Course outcomes:

• The student is familiar with the different definitions of the concept of Middle East.
• The student knows the geographical, historical and ideological implications of the concept of the Middle East
• The student knows the historical development of studies related to Middle Eastern societies
• For the student to be familiar with the most important articles of the Orientalist discourse on the societies of the Middle East
• The student possesses a critical view of the outstanding Orientalist discourse on the societies of the Middle East.
• The student knows the role that tribe, sect, ethnicity, and gender play in the culture of Middle Eastern societies.

 

 

 

ANTH 613: Anthropology of Family and Gender:

 

Course objectives:

• That the student distinguishes between the systems of kinship and the forms of families in it.
• The student to be able to define the concept of (gender) and women's issues.
• That the student demonstrates knowledge of the newly emerging social issues related to women and society that have emerged as a result of globalization and the rapid changes that have accompanied it in the world.

 

Course description:

This course aims to present a comprehensive review of theories and studies that explain the primary and traditional structures in society, from the systems of kinship and the forms of families in it, in addition to a review of feminist studies related to women and their role in society and the definition of the concept of (gender) and women's issues. This course also reviews the social issues that have emerged recently It has a relationship with women and society that emerged as a result of globalization and the rapid transformations that accompanied it in the world and the resulting impact on the intellectual and cultural structures between individuals and different institutions in society.

 

Course outcomes:

• That the student learns about the most important theories and studies that explain the primary and traditional structures in the community.
• That the student distinguishes between the systems of kinship and the forms of families in it.
• That the student be able to define the concept of gender (gender) and women's issues.
• That the student demonstrates knowledge of the newly emerging social issues related to women and society that have emerged as a result of globalization and the rapid changes that have accompanied it in the world.

 

 

ANTH 614  Dynamics of Social Change:

 

Course objectives:

• That the student knows the most important definitions of the phenomenon of social change circulating in the human sciences in general.
• That the student knows the theories of modernization, subordination, global order and globalization with the names of the most important theorists whose names are related to these theories.
• That the student knows the most important internal and external factors that stimulate or impede social change.

 

Course description:

This course aims to introduce to the student the phenomenon of social change that haunts all human societies throughout their long history. The course provides different definitions of the phenomenon of social change, specifically the anthropological definition of this phenomenon. The course also deals with the features and characteristics of social change, in addition to its various forms. The course also provides a description and analysis of the most important internal and external factors that stimulate or impede social change within human societies. The course presents the most important theories that deal with the phenomenon of social change, such as theories of modernization, theories of the global system, theories of dependency, and theories of globalization.

 

Course outcomes:

• That the student knows what is meant by the concept of social change.
• That the student knows the most important definitions of the phenomenon of social change circulating in the human sciences in general.
• That the student distinguishes the anthropological definition of the concept of social change.
• That the student knows the theories of modernization, subordination, global order and globalization with the names of the most important theorists whose names are related to these theories.
• That the student knows the most important internal and external factors that stimulate or impede social change.

 

 

 

ANTH 615: Anthropology of Media and Virtual World:

 

Course objectives:

• That the student knows the anthropological components of the communicative phenomenon.
• That the student distinguishes between anthropological theories on the communicative phenomenon and the theories presented by the theories of media and mass communication.
• The student realizes the interconnectedness between the communicative phenomenon and the rest of the elements of economic, social, political, linguistic, religious, psychological and symbolic culture ... etc.
• That the student realizes the dialectical relationship between the communicative phenomenon and the phenomenon of globalization.

 

Course description:

This course aims to present the communicative phenomenon as an anthropological one. It also seeks to introduce the cultural and social elements that the communicative phenomenon includes. The course also aims to monitor the changes that have occurred in society as a result of the rapid and major transformation of modern digital communication and communication processes that have entered all parts of society due to globalization, and have resulted in a wide cultural gap between its members and its traditional and modern institutions. In this course, the student studies the theories and the studies related to communication, various social communication tools, and the relevant theories of globalization and linking them to the different patterns of behaviour that resulted from this revolution and the resulting new relationships within society and across the cultural, political and economic boundaries of societies.

 

Course outcomes:

• That the student knows the anthropological components of the communicative phenomenon.
• That the student is familiar with the different definitions of the communicative phenomenon presented by the prevailing theories in communication anthropology.
• The student should distinguish between the anthropological theories of the communicative phenomenon and the theories presented by the theories of media and mass communication.
• The student realizes the interconnectedness between the communicative phenomenon and the rest of the elements of economic, social, political, linguistic, religious, psychological and symbolic culture ... etc.
• That the student realizes the dialectical relationship between the communicative phenomenon and the phenomenon of globalization.

 

 

 

ANTH 616: Anthropology of Conflict and Migration:

 

Course objectives:

• That the student distinguishes between forms of spatial mobility that may take a form of coercive or voluntary.
• That the student knows the most important theories that deal with the phenomenon of asylum, displacement, and spatial mobility.
• That the student knows the economic and social impacts of the phenomenon of migration and spatial mobility.
• That the student knows the international bodies and organizations concerned with the affairs of refugees and displaced persons.

 

Course description:

This course aims to introduce the phenomenon of human spatial population movement and the phenomenon of human migrations in terms of a complex cultural and social phenomenon. The course also aims to review theories and studies related to the processes of voluntary and forced migration, and to highlight the results of this phenomenon in terms of reconfiguring the social and cultural structures that result from the repositioning of groups and individuals in their new areas, which constitute exceptional and emergency situations for host societies. The course also reviews the role of international and local organizations and institutions concerned with asylum, the displaced, and those deported from their regions and environments.

 

Course outcomes:

• The student should hold on to the anthropological definition of the phenomenon of migration, displacement and spatial mobility.
• That the student distinguishes between forms of spatial mobility that may take a form of coercive or voluntary.
• That the student knows all the ecological, political, religious and social factors that play a role in the phenomenon of migration and spatial mobility.
• That the student knows the most important theories that deal with the phenomenon of asylum, displacement, and spatial mobility.
• That the student knows the economic and social impacts of the phenomenon of migration and spatial mobility.
• That the student knows the international bodies and organizations concerned with the affairs of refugees and displaced individuals.

 

 

ANTH 618 Ecological and Cultural Systems throughout History (Pastoral, Agricultural and Urban Societies):

 

Course objectives:

• That the student realizes the interconnectedness between the ecosystem and the cultural system.
• That the student knows the historical development of ecosystems.
• The student should distinguish the three patterns of life developed by human societies (pastoral, agricultural and urban).
• That the student knows the most important theories in ecological anthropology.

 

Course description:

This course aims to monitor the relationship between different ecosystems and cultural systems by presenting culture as an inevitable product of the prevailing ecosystem. The course deals with the most important ecosystems that historically predominated and which prevail today. The course also introduces the main cultural systems known to human history that resulted from historically successive ecological forms. The course introduces the pastoral, agricultural and urban societies that have prevailed since the dawn of history until the present day in terms of the anthropological characteristics and characteristics of these societies.

 

Course outcomes:

• The student must be able to define the concept of ecology.
• The student realizes the interconnectedness between the ecosystem and the cultural system.
• That the student knows the historical development of ecosystems.
• The student should distinguish the three patterns of life developed by human societies (pastoral, agricultural and urban).
• That the student knows the most important theories in ecological anthropology.

 

 

 

ANTH 619 Especial Topics in Social Anthropology:

 

Course objectives:

• That the student learns about the latest topics discussed by social anthropology.
• The student must be able to use different methods in studying modern topics in social anthropology.
• The student must demonstrate the ability to discuss recent topics in social anthropology.

 

Course description:

This course aims to introduce to the student the latest scientific studies that have appeared in the various fields of social anthropology. In this course, one of the topics determined by the course instructor is reviewed. This course focuses on the novelty of the topic in addition to its difference from the topics covered in other courses in the study plan.

 

Course outcomes:

• That the student learns about the latest topics discussed by social anthropology.
• The student must be able to use different methods in studying modern topics in social anthropology.
• The student must demonstrate the ability to discuss recent topics in social anthropology.

 

 

ANTH 621 Recent Studies in Bioarchaeology

 

Course objectives:

• That the student becomes familiar with the most important topics discussed by the bioarchaeologists.
• The student should be able to search for literature discussed in bioarchaeology.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of theories related to the topics discussed by bioarchaeologists.
• The student demonstrates the ability to discuss and debate in the topics discussed by bioarchaeologists.

 

Course description:

This course aims to introduce students to the most important recent studies related to bioarchaeology, from both the theoretical and the practical sides. In this course, multiple topics in bioarchaeology are reviewed each time, modern theories on a specific topic are discussed and traditional interpretations are reviewed and compared. The teaching of this course is based on effective teaching, so that the lecture is in the form of a discussion session between students led by the course instructor.

 

Course outcomes:

• That the student becomes familiar with the most important topics discussed by the bioarchaeologists.
• The student should be able to search for literature discussed in bioarchaeology.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of theories related to the topics discussed by bioarchaeologists.
• The student demonstrates the ability to discuss and debate in the topics discussed by bioarchaeologists.

 

 

ANTH 622 Theories of Human Evolution

 

Course objectives:

• to create a knowledge about the evolutionary theory of Darwin
• the student must be able to make a research about the issues of human evolution
• the student must be familiar with the stages of human evolution
• the student should be familiar with the new discoveries of human evolution

 

Course description:

This course aims to identify to the student the theory of human evolution of Darwin and its attributed factors. This course discusses the history of scientific work of human evolution, as well as, the evolution of creatures especially human. The stages of human evolution and the new discoveries in human evolution will be discussed in this course. 

 

Course outcomes:

• the student should be familiar with the theory of Darwin
• the student should be able to make search about the literature of human evolution
• the student should be familiar with the evolution of creatures especially human evolution and its stages
• the student show a great knowledge about the new discoveries in human evolution

 

 

ANTH 623 Bioarchaeology of Jordan

 

Course objectives:

• The student knows the most important bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• The student should be able to research the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of the results of the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• That the student demonstrates the ability to discuss the results of the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.

 

Course description

This course aims to introduce students to the most important bioarchaeological studies that have been conducted in Jordan. In this course, the results of those studies are reviewed, discussed, and comparisons are made between them and the studies conducted elsewhere in the world. The teaching of this course is based on effective teaching, so that the lecture is in the form of a discussion session between students led by the course instructor.

 

Course outcomes:

• The student knows the most important bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• The student should be able to research the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• The student must demonstrate knowledge of the results of the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.
• That the student demonstrates the ability to discuss the results of the bioarchaeological studies conducted in Jordan.

 

 

 

ANTH 624 Modern technologies in Bioarchaeology

 

Course objectives:

• To acquaint the student with the needed theoretical background of the analytical methods in bioarchaeology.
• To acquaint the student with the ability to read and interpret the analytical chemistry data, and how to relate them to bioarchaeology.
• To teach the student how to write the laboratory report and interpret the various analytical results.

 

Course description

This course aims at studying the techniques and methods used in biochemistry such as X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and plasma spectroscopy. This course acquaints the student with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to prepare samples for the above analytical methods. The course also deals with how to write a report and interpret the results of these technologies. In addition, the course studies the analysis of tooth decay using the electronic microscope and accompanying spectroscopy.

 

Course outcomes

• The students have the theoretical background on the different analytical methods in the biochemistry.
• The student can read and interpret the data collected from the methods of chemical analysis above and link them to biochemical explanations.
• The students can write the laboratory report.

 

 

 

ANTH 625 Advanced Forensic Anthropology

 

Course objectives:

• To familiarize the students with the protocols, methods and procedures used by forensic anthropologists in the analysis of criminal cases.
• To identify the remains of human bones and soft tissues, and to identify and analyze the types of injuries and processes of decomposition of the body.
• To make the student able to determine the classification, timing and nature of injury on the bones.
• To teach the student how to estimate the time elapsed since death and the cause of death.

 

Course description

This course enables the students to know in depth the protocols, methods and procedures used by forensic anthropologists in the analysis of criminal cases such as skeletal recovery, identification of human bone fragments, identification and analysis of bone types, soft tissues, injuries and stages and processes of decomposition. In addition, the course will provide students with experience in the identification, classification, timing and nature of injury to the bone, and estimate the time elapsed since death and cause of death.

 

Course outcomes

• The students know the protocols, methods and procedures used by forensic anthropologists in the analysis of criminal cases.
• The students are able to identify the remains of human bones and identify and analyze the types of bones and soft tissues and injuries and stages and processes of decomposition of the body.
• The students are able to determine the classification, timing and nature of injury on the bones.
• The students can estimate the time elapsed since death.

 

 

ANTH 626 Anthropological Genetics

 

Course objectives:

• To differentiate among alleles that makes variations in genetic component among the populations.
• The student must be able to discuss different methods in studying the genes among the populations.
• the student must show a great knowledge concerning quantitative analysis and statistics that used in genetics studies

 

Course description

The main goal of this course is to explain to the student the main evolutionary and ecological factors that affect the genetics of the population. Moreover, this course discusses the most important alleles that responsible of genetic variations among the populations. Finally, the methodology of studying genetics, quantitative analysis and statistics will be explained in this course.

 

Course outcomes

• The student must be familiar with the most important topics of population genetics.
• The student has to differentiate among genes that make genetic variations among populations.
• The student must be able to discuss different methods in studying human genetics.
• The student must show knowledge in quantitative analysis and statistical methods that used in genetic science.

 

 

 

ANTH 628 Especial Topics in Medical Anthropology

 

Course objectives:

• The student must be able to use the different methods that use in medical anthropology such as; quantitative analysis and statistics.
• The student must be able to discuss the new topics of medical anthropology for example the reappearance of ancient diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
• The student must familiar with the new issues or topics of medical anthropology, and the relation with social changes such as refuges.

 

Course description

This course aims to discuss the new topics in medical anthropology. The new methods of medical anthropology (quantitative and statistical studies) will be discussed and explained. Reappearance of old disease (example: cholera and typhoid) and its relation with social changes such as refuges.

 

Course outcomes

• The student must be familiar with the new topics of medical anthropology.
• The student must be able to use different methods in medical anthropology such as quantitative analysis and medical anthropological statistics.
• The student should be able to discuss the new issues of medical anthropology such as a reappearance of different old diseases, for examples, cholera, typhoid, and ect.
• The student should be able to make a relation between medical contexts with the social changes especially refuges.

 

 

 

ANTH 629 Especial Topics in Physical Anthropology

 

Course objectives:

• the student have to be familiar with the new topics in physical anthropology
• the student should be able to use the different methods of physical anthropology
• the student should be able to discuss the new topics of physical anthropology

 

Course description

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the new studies of physical anthropology. This course will focus on the new studies of the different issues of physical anthropology

 

Course outcomes

• the student must have a knowledge about the issues that discussed by physical anthropology
• The student should be able to use the different methods of physical anthropology especially the new ones.
• the student should be able to discuss the new topics of physical anthropology