As the world has become globalized, people increasingly come in contact with individuals and groups from different cultures. This can be a source of conflict and it can be a rich learning experience to help us to tolerate, appreciate, and enjoy the differences. The B.A. in Anthropology will engage students journeys across the world, learning how different groups of people learn to live successfully in different physical environments and how both humans and our closest animal relatives, the primates, have changed over time.

All aspects of human life will be explored across cultures: language, economics, marriage and family, sex and gender, political organization and social control, belief systems, art and architecture, and anthropological research methods, to name a few. Students also will engage in more detailed studies of regions of the world and how they are unique and similar.

Graduates of the program will be skilled in research, critical analysis, problem-solving, and consensus building and will have a strong foundation for further studies and/or careers in areas including international public health, organizational consulting, foreign relations, journalism, social media, in fact, any job that requires regular contact with people from other cultures.

Major:  Anthropology

Course Description

POL 101          Introduction to Political Science

This course has been designed to give students general knowledge in politics and a basic introduction to the academic discipline known as political science. The instructor has decided to take a very quick approach to the topic: the material covered in the class will be very broad but not very deep in the hope that it will create an understanding of the most basic issues of political science. This course is also intended to demonstrate some of the reasons why people study political science outside the classroom and help the students understand their society better.

ANTH 102      Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 102)

This course is designed to investigate the impact of culture on everyday living and decision-making, both locally and globally.  It presents basic concepts in cultural anthropology and applies them to various expressions of culture, such as languages, family structures, livelihoods, political systems, belief systems, and art.

NATS 102        Environmental Science

Significant increases in the world population along with technology advances in the manufacture of products corresponding to people’s demand, led to the over-exploration of nature resources. This brought environmental and other impacts, such as natural resources depletion, solid waste generation increment, ecosystem unbalancing, health and safety problems on human beings, etc.

Similarly, Cambodia is also facing such problems. Hence, awareness in environmental issues contributing to environmental protection is in need to address. This course is designed to provide some fundamental concepts of environmental science in order to make students environmentally aware about vital issues like natural resources conservation, sustainable use of resources, environmental degradation, and rapid growth of human population coupled with technology causing major environmental problems. Emphasis is given to promote sustainable concepts and to enable students to make informed choices regarding their environment. Additionally, this course is introduced to make students understand theories and integrate them into practical applications through real world situation observations, consequentially allowing them to establish cause and effect relationship via impact assessment projects.

COMP 110      Introduction to Computers

This course is one of the general courses in the FY program required by PUC to familiarize students with the use of computer as an efficient tool for their study and work. It is designed to provide non-IT students an overview of how computer system has been developed the fundamental concepts and terminologies of computer systems, knowledge of basic computer hardware and software, and the teach students how to assemble computer, install software, and computer troubleshooting. There are 2 Lab-sessions, which equal to 3 hours for students to practice computer assembling and software installation. Students will learn what computer components are, implication of information technology, and basic troubleshooting knowledge.

ENGL 110       English I: Reading and Composition

This course is designed to enable students of the foundation year to improve their reading and writing skills at an intermediate level. The students will read a wide range of interesting texts related to real life situations. All the texts will enhance students’ reading competence through guided and independent reading activities for both academic work and pleasure. In addition to the reading skills, the students will develop their writing skills ranging from writing meaningful paragraphs to composing meaningful short essays which include a descriptive essay, a narrative essay, a cause-effect essay, a problem-solution essay, and an opinion essay. To make this course more fun and productive, a variety of approaches and interactive practice activities will be employed. Those include student-centered, communicative, cooperative learning, task-based and project-based approaches, and communicative and interactive practice activities. The students are also required to do assignments and projects individually, in pairs, and/or in groups.

KHMR 110     Khmer Studies

Khmer Studies observes the evolution of Khmer culture from pre-history through the Angkorean period to contemporary society.  It examines the arts, languages, literature, customs, traditions, and creations of the Khmer people.  Students gain a sense of appreciation and love for the Khmer culture and a sense of pride, integrity, and national identity.

SOC 110          Gender Studies

This course is the introduction to Gender Studies/Women’s Studies. Given the comprehensiveness and diversity of the overall subject area, this course will provide an introduction to and critical engagement with several specific areas of inquiry that make up Gender Studies/Women’s studies.

ENGL 120       English II: Reading and Composition

Continuing from ENGL 110, this course aims to further enhance students’ reading and writing skills at an intermediate level. The students will read various interesting texts on different topics and themes related to real life contexts and situations. All the texts will enhance students’ reading competence through guided and independent reading activities for both academic work and pleasure. In addition to the reading skills, the students will develop their writing skills ranging from writing longer essays which include a descriptive essay, a narrative essay, a cause-effect essay, a problem-solution essay, a compare and contrast essay, an opinion essay, a persuasive essay, and a summary of a text. To make this course more fun and productive, a variety of approaches and interactive practice activities will be employed in class. Those include student-centered, communicative, cooperative learning, task-based and project-based approaches, and lots of communicative and interactive practice activities. The students are also required to do assignments and projects individually, in pairs, and/or in groups.

HUM 110        Introduction to Humanities

This course will familiarize students with various aspects of the humanities, in particular, the history, literature, and philosophies of the ancient East and West, as well as contemporary aesthetic forms.  Students will gain an appreciation for the plastic and performing arts.

ENBC 110      Practical English Language Development

This course focuses on students’ listening and speaking skills, while continuing to support reading and writing practice. The reading level of students will be assessed and a customized progression of graded readers

MGT 110        Management Principles       

This is an introductory course in management. Students will learn basic principles of organizational structure, behavior, and operations, including resource acquisition and management and supervision techniques to achieve organizational goals.

HFT 201          Health Education and Fitness

Health Education course will introduce students to basic knowledge on health education, health behavior, reproductive health, tropical diseases, sexual transmitted diseases, chronic disease, alcohol, tobacco, and domestic violence will be imparted. With this knowledge, students will have opportunity to explore the concept of health education / health promotion and health determinant factors affecting to public health.

ARIL 210        Academic Research: Information Literacy

Information Literacy (IL) is important to support learning in the 21st century. Students will learn effective tools to proactively engage in academic performance and nurture life-long learning. Without IL skills, students will get lost in a world of abundant information resources. IL skills will help students to identify where to find the right resources to meet their specific educational needs, present research findings, and avoid plagiarism. 

COM 210        Introduction to Communications and Mass Media

This course is designed to introduce students to Communications: the ability to give and receive information quickly and effectively. The art of getting your message across effectively is a vital part of being a successful manager. It is also wise to note that communication is the foundation of leadership. This course provides foundations to improve communication skills.

ENBC 210      English Grammar for Business

This course provides a comprehensive review of English grammar rules and skills. Students develop their ability to identify and correct both written and spoken grammatical errors with teacher feedback and consistent grammar review. Forms of writing and verbal communication that are typically used in business, such as emails, memos, letters, written and verbal reports, and giving verbal instructions will be utilized for grammar practice.

PHIL 210        Logic and Critical Thinking

Students will be introduced to basic principles of logic. Students will study standards of critical thinking, benefits and barriers to critical thinking, and characteristics of critical thinkers.  They will learn to analyze arguments and how to recognize logical fallacies.

ENBC 211      Interactive English Language Skills

This course aims to further improve students’ listening comprehension and language production skills through viewing and discussing a variety of audio-visual media, interactive exercises, and conversational practice. Emphasis will be placed on pronunciation and the development of vocabulary for general and business purposes. Prerequisite: ENBC 110.

PHIL 212        Introduction to Ethics

This course examines the basic concepts and principles of ethical thought, including issues of morality and self-interest, right and wrong, actions, character, consequences, motive, and their relationship to issues of law, religion, and society.  Students will analyze writings by well-known philosophers regarding ethics and the ‘good society.’

PSYC 212        Personal Growth and Development

This course is designed to teach discipline, good behavior, positive attitude, self-respect, and self-confidence, as a member of the university and society.  The course also teaches study skills and time management to help ensure students’ success in college and in life.  Buddhist as well as Western philosophies and thought are both essential to this course.  Students can learn to value life and develop virtue, shaping themselves after exemplary heroes.

POL 202          ASEAN Governments, Politics and Economics

With the current trend and spirit of globalization, in which every citizen is a citizen of the world as one, joining partnership is critical.  In this light, ASEAN has been formed.  This course will examine the various systems, standards, and behaviors of both humans and institutions they create.

HIST 230         History of Cambodia

This course considers civil wars and their consequences, especially the dark period of 1975-1979 in Cambodia.  Changes in Khmer culture, society, and economics will be discussed, as well as political structure, foreign policy, gender issues, human rights, rural development, and education. This course includes a community service-learning component, providing a chance for students to work and provide community.

ANTH 301      History of Anthropology

This course reviews the development of the field of anthropology and major schools of thought, such as functionalism, structuralism, cultural materialism, and interpretive anthropology.  Students will study ethnographies and ethnologies written by key anthropological practitioners, for example, Franz Boas, Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Clifford Geertz.

ART 301         World History of Art

This course seeks to understand art, its philosophies, styles, functions, and meanings throughout the ages.  It is designed with usable accounts of the entire history of art from the earliest times to the present.

HIST 301        World Civilizations

This course seeks to understand the evolution of humankind and to have a glimpse at a broad view of the world as humans struggle for civilization from early times to the present. Students will study a selection of the world’s great civilizations.

ANTH 302      Physical Anthropology

This course looks in-depth at three aspects of physical anthropology, also known as biological anthropology.  These include:  1) human biological evolution over time, 2) human physical adaptations to a variety of ecosystems, and 3) studies of humans’ closest animal relatives, including apes, monkeys, and prosimians.  It includes study of the application of physical anthropology in fields such as forensic science.

ANTH 303      Archeology

This course analyzes the physical products of cultures, including monuments and artifacts, which assist anthropologists to interpret past cultures.  It includes study of the application of archeology in fields such as cultural resource management.

ANTH 304      Linguistics

Culture is embedded in language.  This course examines the use of language in various cultures, including non-verbal communications, and the relationship between language and cultural values and practices.  It further examines the issue of lost languages and its impact on living successfully and sustainably in various geographic environments.

ANTH 310      Advanced Cultural Anthropology

This course looks in-depth at how cultures emerge and adapt in response to social and ecological imperatives.  It compares and contrasts the development of cultures in a variety of geographic and social settings. The course attends to issues including cultural preservation, cultural competence, and applications of cultural anthropology in a variety of work settings.

PHIL 311        Introduction to Buddhism and Oriental Philosophy

This course is an introduction to the historical development of Buddhism in relation to other East Asian religions.  The differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist practices are examined.  The course also includes the practices of Brahmanism and Chinese philosophy and how these influence current Buddhist practices in Cambodia.

PHIL 314        Comparative Religions

Societies in their various levels of development in whatever places and time have some sort of religious beliefs and practices.  Together with the other fundamental features of social life such as language, art, science, and technology, religion affects a large area of the individual person as well as the collective of persons that we call ‘society.’  The course of study is designed to acquaint students with the importance and role of major religions as practiced today.

ANTH 320      Ethnographic Field Work

Ethnography is a key research method used in anthropology.  Ethnographic field-work attempts to understand the holism of a culture.  Ethnographers typically spend significant time living in a culture as participant-observers.  Students will be exposed to a variety of ethnographies written by important anthropologists and will conduct field-work with a community.

ANTH 321      Comparative Studies in Anthropology

Ethnology is a research method used in anthropology to gain deepened understanding about cultures.  Ethnology compares some aspect of culture, such as family structure, livelihood, or art among two or more cultures.  Students will gain knowledge of, and experience with, comparative research methods.

ANTH 401      Applied Anthropology

This course will examine the applications of anthropological methods in a variety of fields such as social development, education, public health, and organizational analysis. 

ANTH 402      Anthropology of Development

This course examines models of development in a variety of cultures.  It considers the impact of different cultural and political systems on resource management, infrastructure development, and community development.  It considers the impact of development on cultural practices and indigenous communities.

ANTH 403      Anthropology of Gender

This course examines the cultural dimensions of patriarchal and matriarchal societies.  It uses the comparative method to examine the status of women in various societies.  It also considers emerging gender issues such as non-traditional family structures.

ANTH 410      World Culture I:  Cambodia

This course is the first in the ‘areas studies’ portion of the curriculum.  The culture of Cambodia will be reviewed in-depth, including sub-cultures, cultural change, and the impact of war on Cambodian culture.

ANTH 411      World Culture II:  Southeast Asia

This course will review selected Southeast Asian cultures, such as Myanmar, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Singapore, and compare these cultures with Cambodia with emphasis on development in each society.

ANTH 412      World Culture III: South Asia

This course will take an in-depth look at the diverse cultures in South Asia, including Brahman cultures (India) and Muslim cultures (Brunei) and consider how a Buddhist culture (Cambodia) can work most effectively with them during ASEAN integration.

ANTH413       World Culture IV:  Central Asia

Most of Central Asia has an ecosystem very different from Cambodia.  After the Khmer Rouge period, there was a significant Central Asian presence in Cambodia and many Cambodians received education in countries such as Mongolia and Russia. This course will examine the diverse cultures of the region and the influences of those societies on Cambodian culture.

ANTH 414      World Culture V:  Pacific Region

The Pacific Region is home to many indigenous cultures.  Unfortunately, development has created new expectations among youth and this is leading to intergenerational conflict.  This course will focus on cultural change and the conflict between traditional culture and youth.

ANTH 415      World Culture VI:  Europe and the Americas

Europe and the Americas represent a diversity of cultures ranging from the Nordic cultures of Northern Europe to indigenous and European-influenced tropical cultures in Latin America.  This course will survey the arts, belief systems, archeology, and practices of these regions.  Selected civilizations will be viewed in-depth.

ANTH 416      World Culture VII:  Africa

African culture stretches back to the beginnings of time, with evidence that the first humans emerged in East Africa.  This course will look at the diversity of African culture and art, such as pre-historic cave paintings; traditional music; and birth, marital, and death rituals.

POL 203          US Government and Politics

POL 203 examines the structure of the US political system, with its separation of powers and checks and balances.  The course also discusses interest groups, political parties, political culture, and the role of big business in the American system.

POL 232          European Contemporary Studies

The concepts of interdisciplinary studies focus on the cultural and intellectual life of Europe. The students analyze the development in the European complex, contemporary society from several comparative perspectives: cultural, social, political, economic, and technological. Topics include culture and subcultures, differences and diversity, personality, educational system, literature, arts, social and behavioral sciences.

POL 233          American Contemporary Studies

The concepts of interdisciplinary studies focus on the cultural and intellectual life of the United States of America. The students analyze the development in the American complex, contemporary society from several perspectives: cultural, social, economic, and technological. Topics include culture and subcultures, differences and diversity, personality, educational system, literature, arts, social and behavioral sciences.

ANTH 489       Senior Project or Exit Exam

Student will carry out a written group project (individual project allowed if student has GPA of 3.5 or higher) that offers