ANTH 204: HUMAN ECOLOGY (Section 1)
Spring 2013
Instructor: Barbara Welker Office: Fraser 118 OR Lab: Fraser 116
Telephone: 245-5204 email: welker@geneseo.edu Office hours: Tu-W-Th 2:30-3:30
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will examine human ecology within an evolutionary, biocultural, cross-species, and cross-cultural framework. We will begin with an overview of the disciplines of ecological anthropology and human behavioral ecology. The remainder of the course will be divided into the following: (1) human biocultural adaptations to various global biomes, (2) the significance of human behavior from a cross-species perspective, (3) the status of the earth in relation to anthropogenic activities, and (4) student presentations based upon individual research focused on relevant/related topics in human ecology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will:
1. demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of human adaptations to various environments (both biological and cultural) and the adaptive significance of many aspects of human behavior via (1) three written exams; (2) in-class presentations, seminars, and discussions; and (3) a five-page term paper. They will acquire said knowledge via assigned readings, lectures, films, seminars, case studies, discussions, and individual research projects.
2. demonstrate their research, writing, and speaking skills, respectively, via (a) conducting a literature review-oriented research project, (b) organizing and writing a five-page term paper based on their research, and (c) presenting an overview of their project.
3. demonstrate the completion of assigned readings and films via in-class discussion (in both small and large groups). This will give them a practical perspective of human biocultural adaptation via articles, ethnographies, films, and discussion of specific cultures that have adapted both physically and culturally to disparate environmental conditions, e.g. arctic, tropics, desert, high altitude, etc.
4. become more aware of the human onslaught to the global environment via readings and discussion.
5. demonstrate their knowledge of their nutritional needs and their success at fulfilling those needs via the completion of the nutrition project. They will use course information and outside resources to evaluate their individual needs in relation to their current diet, so as to gain a better understanding of what their bodies need to function. It is my hope that students will adjust their diet accordingly (if necessary) to improve their health and well-being. This assignment is part of the Geneseo Food Research Project, https://wiki.geneseo.edu:8443/display/food/Geneseo+Food+Research.
TEXTBOOKS (available at bookstore):
Brown L.R. (2011) World on the edge: How to prevent environmental and economic collapse. NY: Norton. USBN: 978-0-393-33949-9
Townsend P. (2009) Environmental Anthropology. IL: Wavelamd Press.
Laughlin W.S. (1980) Aleuts: Survivors of the Bering land bridge. CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
Bishop N.H. (1998) Himalayan herders. CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
Dentan R.K. (1979) The Semai: A nonviolent people of Malaya. CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
3 exams @ 20% each 60%
Presentation 10%
Term paper 15%
Participation in seminars/case studies/discussions 12% maximum
Nutrition project and participation in workshop 4%
(NOTE: You can miss one participation day without losing credit but there is no way to make up any of the
remaining 11, unless the Dean of Students deems that you should receive special consideration.)
EXAMS consist of fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. They are, for the most part, non-cumulative.
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS will be ~15 min long (if <12min, you will lose points) on topics related to human ecology. Each student will research a topic that he/she finds interesting, in more extensive detail than can be presented through the assigned readings or lectures. Students will then share what they have learned with the class. PowerPoint’s must be in my Inbox (ask me or CIT), email account, or uploaded via thumb drive at least 1hr before class time or presentation/credit will be forfeited. This will avoid last minute uploading. In addition, videos/audios are not to be used as they usually cause schedule delays and use time that is allotted for presentation of research. All .ppt files should be saved in .pptx mode and Mac users should convert accordingly, so as not to lose graphics… CIT folks can help.
TERM PAPERS will be based upon the aforementioned research. Papers should be a minimum of 5 type-written pages (5% per 1/2page x 5 = 50%, in other words, a missing half page will incur a loss of 5%) using a minimum of 5 acceptable references (10% per reference = 50%). References must be cited throughout. Only peer-reviewed journal articles, monographs, or chapters from edited volumes are permitted for the minimum number of references. Students may, however, use additional references, e.g. popular journals, internet sources, etc. Papers are due 1 week after the individual presentation (except in the case of Spring Break) except for later presentations when papers are due the same day – see schedule below. Overdue papers will (1) not be accepted beyond 1 week after they’re due, (2) be penalized 10% per day, and (3) forfeit the possibility for revision. You need to check for spelling and grammar before submission. In addition, it is suggested that you read it aloud to someone as a final check for grammar. If you do not proof-read, cite references throughout, use a minimum of 5 acceptable references, and submit a bibliography using some professional journal guidelines (see mycourses page for AJPA guidelines in case you are not proficient in some other system), you will forfeit the privilege to submit a revision. Once I have corrected papers, you may make all corrections and re-submit your paper so you benefit (if needed) from the feedback and extra points. When you submit a revision, you must include the original.
PARTICIPATION: You can earn up to 1 pt for each discussion that you prepare for and participate in (11 pt max). Discussions include seminars, case studies, and discussion days. You will demonstrate your preparedness by submitting topics/questions/comments for discussion on those days. Topics need to be typed or signed by me, to ensure that students are not completing them in class. It should be apparent from your submitted “topics” that you read and considered each of the assigned readings. You must be present and prepared to earn credit.
NUTRITION PROJECT: Websites and downloaded nutrition charts are on mycoursesDocument the following steps and comment on each as you carry them out.1. FEBRUARY: You will calculate your recommended daily intake of macro- (protein, carbs, fat, fiber) and micronutrients (vitamins/minerals), based upon your sex, age, and height. Submit by 2/28 1pt
2. MARCH: You will document your food consumption (by type/volume/weight of food) for 3 consecutive days and calculate your average nutritional (macro- and micronutrients) and caloric intake (i.e. total divided over 3 days). Submit by 3/31 1pt
3. APRIL: Determine how well you are doing and what you would need to change/add to your diet so as to best meet your needs. Use the lists of foods to search for things that are, for example, high in fiber or Vitamin A. Design a daily regimen that you feel you can stick to and try it. Be sure to build variation into the system. Submit by 4/30 1pt
4. MAY: submit hard copy of comments after participating in discussion scheduled for 5/7 (1pt for submitted comments and participation).
Please note: SUNY Geneseo will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Students should consult with the Director in the Office of Disability Services (Tabitha Buggie-Hunt, 105D Erwin, tbuggieh@geneseo.edu) and myself regarding any needed
accommodations as early as possible in the semester. I will accommodate all documented special needs/requests.
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
TOWNSEND = chapters in Environmental Anthropology
BROWN= World on the edge: How to prevent environmental and economic collapse
LAUGHLIN=Aleuts: Survivors of the Bering land bridge
BISHOP=Himalayan herders
DENTAN=The Semai: A nonviolent people of Malaya
Any additional readings that are not references by a particular author are found on course page in the folder entitled “ASSIGNED READINGS”. Within that folder, you will find individual folders that reference the seminar topic (e.g. “Parental investment and conflict”) and contain the articles for discussion for that day OR the title of the assigned reading(s) (“Famine” or “Human behavioral ecology”), which do not involve in-class discussion.
Dates in ()’s after presentation dates are when papers are due – NOTE: 4/23 – due same day
Boxed items earn participation credit and you must submit topics for discussion that you prepared
WEEK/DATE TOPIC READING ASSIGNMENT
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1 1/22 Introduction, getting acquainted, presentation sign-up, TOWNSEND 8, 12, 13
discussion guidelines
1/24 Ecological anthropology and human behavioral ecology TOWNSEND 1-4
2 1/29 Conducting a literature review – Milne 104 “Human behavioral ecology”
1/31 People in ecosystems TOWNSEND 7, 9, 10
and DISCUSSION of Townsend chapters 1-4, 7-10, 12-13
3 2/5 Disease film and SEMINAR: Parental investment and conflict READINGS
2/7 Nutrition “Famine”, TOWNSEND 11
4 2/12 “Food.Inc.” film
2/14 Film cont’d and SEMINAR: Infanticide and child abuse READINGS
5 2/19 EXAM 1
2/21 Arctic and & 2 PRESENTATIONS (2/28)
6 2/26 Arctic cont’d and 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/5)
2/28 CASE STUDY: Aleuts & 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/7) LAUGHLIN
7 3/5 High altitude & 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/12) TOWNSEND 6
3/7 SEMINAR: Physical attractiveness & pair bonding READINGS
& 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/14)
8 3/12 High altitude cont’d & 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/26)
3/14 FILM: “Qeros” & 2 PRESENTATIONS (3/26)
9 3/18-22 SPRING BREAK
10 3/26 CASE STUDY: Himalayan Herders & film BISHOP
3/28 EXAM 2
11 4/2 SEMINAR: Female preferences/strategies READINGS
& 3 PRESENTATIONS (4/9)
4/4 Desert and grasslands & 2 PRESENTATIONS (4/11)
12 4/9 Desert and grasslands cont’d & 2 PRESENTATIONS (4/18)
4/11 SEMINAR: Marriage systems READINGS
& 3 PRESENTATIONS (4/18)
13 4/16 GREAT Day
FYI: Wed. 4/17 2:30: DAVID and HELEN SLOTTJE in MCU BALLROOM - anti-fracking proponents
4/18 FILM: “The Desert People” & 2 PRESENTATION (4/25)
14 4/23 Tropics and SEMINAR: Male preferences/strategies TOWNSEND 5, READINGS
4/25 Tropics cont’d and CASE STUDY: Semai DENTAN
15 4/30 FILM: “Nomads of the Rainforest” & 2 PRESENTATIONS (TODAY)
5/2 DISCUSSION & 2 PRESENTATIONS (TODAY) BROWN pp ix-97
16 5/7 DISCUSSION & Nutrition project discussion BROWN pp 100-202
5/9 8:00 EXAM 3