Course Learning Outcomes - Anthropology Program

ANTH 102 Cultural Anthropology

Outline the major trends in primate and human evolution.
Discuss the mechanisms of evolution (genetics, natural selection) in general and specifically how these apply to human evolution.
Describe the biological adaptations humans have made through time to cold, heat, desert, altitude, latitude, disease, etc.
Differentiate between race and culture in issues of diversity and multiculturalism.

Outline the major trends in human cultural and biological evolution.
Describe the cultural adaptations humans have made through time.
Possess a general knowledge about the methods archaeologists use to excavate, date, and interpret archaeological sites and data.
Differentiate between race and culture in issues of diversity and multiculturalism.

Describe the basic theoretical and methodological approaches of linguistic anthropology.
Identify and describe the complex relationship between culture and language in global perspective.
Apply principles of linguistic analysis to deconstruct languages and understand language structure.
Recognize the relationship between language, class, gender, and ethnicity.
Apply anthropology and linguistic anthropology to significant social problems.
Analyze intercultural miscommunication using cultural and linguistic concepts.

Outline the limiting and causative roles the environment played in the development of various civilizations.
Detail the ways civilizations varied in adaptation to different environments.
Describe the major achievements of selected civilizations.
Trace the evolution of different stages in cultural evolution.
Define civilization from a multicultural perspective.

Outline the origins of Native Americans in California using both scientific and aboriginal knowledges.
Detail the various subsistence strategies used by California Native Americans in adapting to the environment.
Outline the culture history of California Native Americans.
Distinguish the major linguistic and cultural groups in California.
Discuss the impact of Spanish, Mexican, and American governments and cultures upon the Native Americans.

Outline the different interview techniques in oral history.
Analyze oral history data using cross-verification.
Explain the legal and ethical considerations in doing oral history.
Explain the different approaches in oral history used by anthropologists, folklorists, and historians.
Develop for an oral history project a research design that meets ethical, theoretical, and practical criteria.

Describe different models for human adaptations to the environment through time.
Evaluate the impact of humans upon the environment caused by different subsistence strategies.
Demonstrate effective knowledge of ecology as it relates to human and environmental interaction.

Outline the major trends in human evolution.
Discuss the mechanisms of evolution in general and specifically how they apply to human evolution.
Explain the basics of evolution generally and specifically, human evolution.
Compare human biological adaptations from cultural adaptations.
Describe diversity and heritage of the human species.

Examine the history and theoretical underpinnings of applied anthropology.
Identify the ethical issues involved in applied anthropology and demonstrate familiarity with the ethics guidelines of the Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA)
Identify the roles of applied anthropologists as practitioners of social science.
Select the appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies and employ them in an applied policy setting.
Synthesize how applied anthropologists employ anthropological concepts and perspectives, such as the holistic perspective, the cross-cultural perspective, and cultural relativism.
Apply theoretical approaches to issues in applied anthropology.
Formulate and analyze action research that leads to policy and/or program recommendations.

Examine the history, theoretical underpinnings, and ethics of qualitative approaches to social science research.
Describe and identify the types of qualitative methodologies employed by anthropologists.
Conduct “action” research that leads to policy and/or program recommendations.
Evaluate the role of participation, community partnership, and informed consent in applied research.
Generate a justified study design and outline the appropriate data collection methodology.

Identify the techniques and theories applied in contemporary archaeological inquiry.
Discuss the processes that affect archaeological site formation.
Evaluate case studies of archaeological research design.
Apply archaeological method and theory to ethical considerations in archaeological practice.

Describe the major theoretical approaches in the field of economic anthropology.
Describe the effects of cultural change on economic activity, and vice versa.
Utilize ethnographic and economic data to analyze cultural and economic processes.
Analyze and critique current empirical and theoretical research in economic anthropology.
Apply the tools of anthropology and economics to the analysis of a specific cultural group.

Describe the major developments in the history of anthropology.
Recognize and assess ethical considerations in contemporary anthropological inquiry.
Apply competing theoretical approaches to generate alternative interpretations of the same anthropological data.

Record a journal of their experience during the service learning experience.
Apply the knowledge gained by coursework to the real world, through service learning.
Relate their service learning experience to their coursework in anthropology and other disciplines.