Anthropology 309 [K] [SSCI]

CULTURAL ECOLOGY

SPRING 2016

Instructor: Scott Calvert

Office: VMMC 207J

email:

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday10:30-11:30 and by appointment

Website: http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/course-folders/anth-309-edward-h-hagen/

Password: anth309calvert

This course provides an anthropological (i.e., cross-cultural, biocultural, historical) perspective to understanding human-nature relationships. Questions considered include: How do natural environments influence culture (i.e., way of life, beliefs, and practices? How do different cultures view the environment? How do cultural views of nature influence how people interact with the environment? Why is an anthropological perspective on human-nature relations important for understanding the future of humankind?

Aims

The course aims to:

1. Provide an introduction to theory, methods, and topics in environmental anthropology.

2. Examine human-nature relations from cross-cultural, historical, and biocultural perspectives.

3. Examine the extensive cross-cultural indigenous knowledge of natural environments.

4. Develop theoretical and methodological tools to evaluate contemporary environmental issues.

5. Critically evaluate how theories and cultures influence human perceptions and interactions with nature. Skepticism is encouraged as it is the main engine of scientific progress; the scientist’s rule is to try to doubt every explanation.

Grading

EVALUATION / POINTS / PERCENTAGE OF GRADE
3 exams (50 points each) / 150 points / 68%
6 in-class assignments/quizzes/participation (5 pts each) / 30 points / 14%
Human Relations Area Files assignment / 10 points / 4%
Gibe III Dam assignment / 10 points / 4%
Group project on conservation group / 20 points / 10%
TOTAL / 220 points

Grading Scale

A = 93-100% / C+ = 77-79.9 / D- = 60-62.9
A- = 90-92.9 / C = 73-76.9 / F = < 60%
B+ = 87-89.9 / C- = 70-72.9
B = 83-86.9 / D+ = 67-69.9
B- = 80-82.9 / D = 63-66.9

Exams consist or multiple choice and short answer essay questions. Exams are based upon lectures, discussions, films and readings. Make-ups are allowed in exceptional circumstances (e.g., incarcerated, in hospital).

There will be about six in-class quizzes or writing assignments. It is not possible to make-up in-class activities and quizzes. The eHRAF and Gibe III Dam assignments are short take-home assignments and will be explained in greater detail in class.

I accept late assignments only under exceptional circumstances (e.g., incarceration, hospitalization).

Learning Goals

WSUV has 7 learning goals: critical and creative thinking, quantitative reasoning, scientific literacy, information literacy, communication, and depth, breadth, and integration of learning. The course has elements of all learning goals, but emphasizes critical thinking, information literacy, quantitative literacy, diversity, depth and breadth of learning. The course has elements of all learning goals, but emphasizes critical thinking and self in society. The course introduces students to alternative ways of thinking and knowing and provides a framework for understanding and critically evaluating the assumptions, morality, and emotional basis of their own and other peoples’ behaviors and beliefs.

You can read more about WSUV learning goals as they apply to anthropology at: http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/programs/learning-goals/

Disability Accommodation

Accommodations may be available if you need them in order to fully participate in this class because of a disability. Accommodations may take some time to implement so it is critical that you contact Disability Services as soon as possible.All accommodations must be approved through Disability Services, located in the Lower Level of the Student Resource Center, (360) 546-9138.

Academic integrity

Cheating in any form or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism means using other people’s work and claiming it to be your own. The first time you are caught plagiarizing any portion of an assignment you will receive an “F” on the assignment and a possible failing grade in the course. Infractions will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and entered into your permanent student record. Two such reports may results in expulsion from the University. For additional information about WSU’s Academic Integrity policy/procedures please contact (360) 546-9573.

Emergency Notification System

WSU has made an emergency notification system available for faculty, students and staff. Please register at zzusis with emergency contact information (cell, email, text, etc.). You may have been prompted to complete emergency contact information when registering for classes on RONet. In the event of a building evacuation, a map at each classroom entrance shows the evacuation point for each building. Please refer to it. Finally, in case of class cancellation campus-wide, please check local media, the WSU Vancouver web page and/or http://www.flashalert.net/. Individual class cancellations may be made at the discretion of the instructor. Individuals are expected to make the best decision for their personal circumstances, taking safety into account.

Campus Safety

Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University, and are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the “Alert, Assess, Act” protocol for all types of emergencies and the“Run, Hide, Fight”response for an active shooter incident. RemainALERT(through direct observation or emergency notification),ASSESSyour specific situation, andACTin the most appropriate way to assure your own safety (and the safety of others if you are able).

Please sign up for emergency alerts on your account atMyWSU. For more information on this subject, campus safety, and related topics, please view theFBI’sRun, Hide, Fightvideoand visit the WSU safety portal

ANTH 309 – SPR 2016

COURSE OUTLINE

JANUARY

1/ 11 - Introduction to the course, anthropology basics

1/13 - An introduction to history of theory and methods in cultural ecology - Marvin Harris, Julian Steward

READ: “India’s sacred cow” by Marvin Harris

READ: Fratkin textbook – Fieldwork among the Ariaal – pp. 8-19

1/15 - An introduction to history of theory and methods in cultural ecology, Marvin Harris, Julian Steward cont.

READ: Julian Steward, biography and cultural ecology

READ: Wade Davis Lecture

1/18 - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

1/20 - Contemporary theory: ethnoecology, ecosystems, and political ecology

READ: Gurven - Human behavioral ecology

READ: Hunn – Ethnoecology

1/22 - Contemporary theory continued

READ: Bates, Ecosystems, Political Ecology

READ: Ecosystem ecology in biology and anthropology by E. Moran

1/25 - Culture Scale and Economic Systems

READ: Culture Scale Overview

READ: Bodley - Chapter 1 Introduction, Indigenous Peoples and Culture Scale

1/27 - Culture Scale and Economic Systems

READ: Diamond – Guns, Germs, and Steel Summary

1/29 - Culture Scale and Economic Systems

FILM: Diamond – Guns, Germs, and Steel

FEBRUARY

2/1 - Aka hunter-gatherers of the Congo Basin

READ: Cultural diversity among African pygmies

READ: Foraging lifestyle in the African tropical rainforest by H. Sato

DISTRIBUTE: eHRAF Assignment

2/3 - Hunter-gatherer issues, the original affluent society, why do foragers share so extensively?

READ: Hewlett et al.- Internal working models

READ: Hewlett et al. – Allomaternal nursing

READ: Hewlett et al. - Cosleeping

READ: Hunter Gatherers of the Congo Basin - TBD

2/5 - Baka foragers of Cameroon

FILM: Human Planet, Komba’s Forest

READ: Hunter-gatherers and other primates as prey, predators, and competitors of snakes by T. Headland and H. Green on Angel

2/8 - Congo Basin environmental issues

READ: Forest conservation and indigenous peoples in the Congo Basin by M. Ichikawa on Angel

READ: Bushmeat hunting in the Congo Basin: An assessment of impacts and options for mitigation

2/10 - DUE: eHRAF assignment

Discussion of eHRAF assignment

Review for Exam #1

2/12 FIRST EXAM

2/15 - PRESIDENT’S DAY

2/17 – DUE: eHRAF assignment

Discussion of eHRAF assignment

Adaptations to arid environments—pastoralism

READ: Fratkin – Ariaal Textbook, chapters 1 & 4

2/19 – NO CLASS

WATCH AT HOME: FILM – Land of Thorns – Struggling for Survival in Karamoja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk4_j0HcxRs

READ: Hardin - Tragedy of the Commons

2/22 - Adaptations to arid environments—pastoralism cont.

READ: Fratkin et al. -When nomads settle: the effects of commoditization, nutritional change, and formal education on Ariaal and Rendille pastoralists

READ: Fraktin et al. Sedentism and children’s health

DISTRIBUTE: GIBE III Dam Assignment

2/24 - Adaptation to arid environments—pastoralism cont.

READ: WISP - Pastoralists know

2/26 Adaptations to arid environments—pastoralism cont.

2/29 - DUE: Gibe III Dam assignment

Group Debate on Gibe III Dam assignment

MARCH

3/2 - Religion and ecology

LECTURE: Malthus vs. Boserup

READ: Lansing - Balinese "Water Temples" and the Management of Irrigation

FILM: The Goddess and the Computer

3/4 – Balinese water temples

FINISH: The Goddess and the Computer

DISTRIBUTE: Exam #2 Study Guide

3/7 – Konso Terraces

READ: Konso as world heritage site: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1333/

READ: Watson/Forch - Konso terraces and ecology

3/9 – Exam #2 Review

3/11 -- SECOND EXAM

3/14—16 SPRING BREAK

3/21 – Go over test –

Go over answers, go over scores

Go over group assignment –

Assign groups

Marriage and ecology:

Polyandry and the Nyimba

FILM: Nyimba

DISTRIBUTE: Group Assignment

3/23 – Marriage/War and ecology

Lecture: Polygyny among the Yanomamo, the protein debate

READ: Chagnon - Life Histories, Blood Revenge, and Warfare in a Tribal Population

READ: Diamond – Wars

Go over extra credit assignment

3/25 - The Amazon Basin culture and ecology

3/28 - Contemporary Issues among the Yanomamo

FILM: Gold mining in the Amazon

3/30 - Yanomamo

APRIL

4/1 – Warfare Continued

READ: Diamond - Wars

4/4 - Integrating theoretical orientations; genes, culture, and ecology

Africa: culture, ecology, history

READ: Hewlett, Semes and Genes in Africa

4/6 – END of Warfare/Begin Cultural Transmission

4/8 – Cultural Transmission

Reyes-Garcia et al. - Cultural transmission of ethnobotanical knowledge and skills: an empirical analysis from an Amerindian society

4/11 – Cultural Transmission and Health

FILM: KURU

READ: McDade - Ethnobotanical knowledge is associated with indices of child health in the Bolivian Amazon

READ: When culture affects behavior by W. Durham on Angel

4/13 – Culture, ecology, and disease

READ: Hewlett Hewlett on Ebola - Pages 1-5 and chapters 2 & 3

4/15 - Ebola, culture, and ecology

READ: Hewlett & Hewlett on Ebola – chapter 4 & 5

4/18 – Ebola, culture, and ecology

READ: Hewlett & Hewlett on Ebola – chapters 7 & 8

4/20 - Exam Review (May add review session outside of class if people are interested

Group Project Meetings

4/22 THIRD EXAM

4/25 - Group Presentations

4/27 - Group Presentations

4/28 - ???