Dr. O'Brien's research is focused on the behavioral ecology and conservation of Southeast Asian primates. He works closely with Vietnamese colleagues to study the feeding ecology, seasonality, and habitat utilization of endangered monkeys with the aim of gaining a better understanding of their ecology so that long-term and sustainable conservation efforts can be developed. He also works in capacity building for the protected area system of Vietnam.
ANTH 2010 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
Detailed consideration of human biology, the place of humans in the animal kingdom, primate ecology and fossil evidence for human evolution. Required for ANTH majors.
ANTH 2020 - Human Biological Variation and Adaptation
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Introduction to human biology, variation, and adaptation. Explores humans as a species through an understanding of biological variation and adaptation. Recommended prerequisite: ANTH 2010.
ANTH 2040 - Laboratory in Human Biological Variation and Adaptation
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2024
Experiments and hands-on exercises designed to enhance understanding of human genetics, anatomy, and function of the principles and concepts presented in ANTH 2020. One two-hour class per week. Recommended corequisite: ANTH 2020.
ANTH 2100 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2023
Covers current theories in cultural anthropology and discusses the nature of field work. Explores major schools of thought and ethnographic fieldwork in a range of cultures studied by anthropologists. Required for Anthropology majors.
ANTH 3000 - Primate Behavior
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2024
Surveys naturalistic primate behavior. Emphasizes social behavior, behavioral ecology, and evolution as they lead to an understanding of human behavior.
ANTH 3010 - The Human Animal
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Fall 2024
Identifies genetic, anatomical, physiological, social, and behavioral characteristics humans share with other mammals and primates. Explores how these characteristics are influenced by modern culture. Recommended prerequisite: ANTH 2010.
ANTH 3770 - Primates of Vietnam: Conservation in a Rapidly Developing Country
Primary Instructor
-
Summer 2022 / Summer 2023 / Summer 2024
Immersive global seminar that will take place in southern and central Vietnam. We will travel to Ho Chi Minh City to begin an exploration into the conservation of primates in this country. Vietnam is home to 25 primate species and a rapidly growing human population. This course will examine challenges, success, and failures in the conservation of these creatures within the context of development within the historical context of Vietnam.
ANTH 4060 - Nutrition and Anthropology
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Overview of the evolution of human diet and ecological and cultural factors shaping modern diets. Introduces fundamentals of nutrition and analysis of nutritional status. Analyzes ecological, social, and cultural factors leading to hunger and undernutrition, as well as biological and behavioral consequences of undernutrition. Recommended prerequisites: ANTH 2010 and ANTH 2020 or EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 or EBIO 1030 and EBIO 1040. Same as ANTH 5060.
