The field of anthropology centers on explaining human nature and human culture. Perhaps the greatest single issue addressed by anthropology is the mystery of human cultural evolution. Why have human societies over the past 10,000 years changed rapidly from simple, egalitarian hunting-and-gathering bands to vast, complex, hierarchically organized urban civilizations? The course will be divided into two parts. The first half will explore explanations of cultural evolution through readings from the major theorists from Spencer and Morgan to Marx, Engels, Harris, and modern neo-marxists and post-processualists. The second half will apply these theories to actual case studies from the earliest civilizations in the New and Old World. Through critical evaluations of the theories presented and review of the archaeological and historical evidence from ancient civilizations, the course will provide a context in which students will form their own explanations of this major transformation in human culture. Format: seminar. Requirements: five short papers; one longer paper. No prerequisites, but an introductory anthropology course highly recommended. Enrollment limit: 20 (expected: 12). Priority given to upperclass students and majors.