Dr

Dr. David Webb OM 469

ANT 380: Senior Seminar in Anthropology

Course Goals: (1) to tie together students’ experiences in anthropology in meaningful ways;

(2) to prepare students for graduation and their post-baccalaureate careers

Course Description: This course is required of both majors and minors in Anthropology. It is intended as a capstone experience in the students’ anthropological studies. As such, it is designed to bring together students’ experience in previous courses and in life, and it should help students prepare for their futures. Whether students are looking toward graduate school or the job market, Senior Sem should help them bring Anthropology with them, wherever they go. Someone with a degree in Anthropology should be a person who thinks critically about what he or she says and hears regarding human beings in the past, present and future. As a seminar course, it relies heavily on student participation and even leadership. Therefore, preparation for class and attendance are critical.

As part of preparing students for the next phase in their lives, Senior Sem will also deal with graduation requirements and the job search. The comprehensive exam (required of Anthropology majors) will be coordinated by the instructor of this course. In addition, students will be expected to submit a résumé and application letter that are appropriate for their post-baccalaureate plans.

Required Texts:

Evolution and Culture, Sahlins, Marshall D. and Elman R. Service, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1960.

Human Universals, Brown, Donald E., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1991.

In the Land of Invented Languages: Esperanto Rock Stars, Klingon Poets, Loglan Lovers, and the Mad Dreamers Who Tried to Build A Perfect Language, Okrent, Arika, Spiegel & Grau, New York, 2009

Course Outline:

I. Introduction

A. Course Orientation & Requirements

B. Program Orientation & Requirements.......................................................................... Check Sheets

II. Career Development

A. Non-Academic Careers

B. Graduate School and Academia................................................................. Résumé & Cover Letter

III. Cultural Evolution

A. History of Ideas....................................................................................................................... S&S: Forward

B. Introducing Cultural Evolution................................................................................................... S&S: Intro

C. Types of Evolution................................................................................................................... S&S: Chap. 2

D. Adaptation and Stability......................................................................................................... S&S: Chap. 3

E. Cultural Dominance................................................................................................................. S&S: Chap. 4

F. Evolutionary Potential.............................................................................................................. S&S: Chap. 5

IV. Cultural Universals

A. Introduction and Examples................................................................................................ Brown: Chap. 1

B. Defining Universals............................................................................................................. Brown: Chap. 2

C. Explaining Universals.......................................................................................................... Brown: Chap. 4

D. The “Incest Taboo”............................................................................................................. Brown: Chap. 5

E. Conclusions.................................................................................................................. Brown: Chaps. 6 & 7

V. Comprehensive Examination

VI. Linguistic Anthropology

A. Invented Languages..................................................................................................... Okrent: Chaps. 1, 2

B. Language Reflects “Reality”..................................................................................... Okrent: Chaps. 3-7

C. Language and (Sub-) Culture................................................................................. Okrent: Chaps. 8-12

D. Language and the Human Mind........................................................................... Okrent: Chaps. 13-18

Course Requirements:

In keeping with the goals of the course, students will be required to read, write and speak about a variety of fields within anthropology and to prepare for life after college. Thus, there are written and oral assignments regarding the anthropological topics covered in the course, as well as a few assignments and discussions regarding graduation, graduate school and employment. The comprehensive examination is a separate requirement for graduation and is not part of the course grade.

Class Participation: Students are expected to arrive prepared for class (having read the assigned material) and ready to discuss the day’s topic. Sometimes, particular students will be asked to bring in specific information to share with the class. Class participation will constitute 7% of the course grade.

Examinations: There will be three exams, each one based on discussion and reading of one of the required books. Each exam will be worth 20% of the course grade.

Résumé/Curriculum Vitae: A one-page, neat, professional-looking document appropriate for use in job-hunting. Instructions, suggestions and examples can be found at the KU Career Development Center’s website. The résumé will constitute 4% of the course grade.

Application/Cover Letter: A one-page letter of the type that would be used to apply for graduate school (the “admissions essay”) or to apply for a job (the coverletter). Instructions, suggestions and examples can be found at the KU Career Development Center’s website. The essay/coverletter will constitute 4% of the course grade.

‘Anthropology In Your Life’ Essay: ≈2 pages; How have you used anthropological concepts in your daily life (outside of the classroom)? How might your views and behavior be different now that you have studied anthropology? How will your experience with anthropology be integrated into your life? What is the most important thing you have learned while studying anthropology? The essay will constitute 5% of the course grade.

Term Paper (3 fields): ≈10 pages; on any topic. Show how it can be approached from three different fields within the discipline, not merely by discussing how anthropologists might look at it, but by showing how they have analyzed it (i.e., the results of anthropological analysis). The term paper is due on the last Tuesday of classes. Proper citation procedures are required. The term paper will be worth 20% of the course grade.

Note: If you have a disability that requires accommodation, please inform the instructor soon, so that appropriate assistance can be given.