ANTH 307: Ecological Anthropology
Spring 2007/Minnesota State University Moorhead
W 3:00 - 5:30 PM, KH 215
Office: KH213; Telephone: 477-2043
Office Hours: W 8:00AM-3:00 PM; T, H 12:30-2:00PM; also by appointment
E mail: robertsb@mnstate.edu
Class web site: http://www.mnstate.edu/robertsb/307

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Ecological anthropology involves the study of human adaptation to the environment. Although we humans adapt to our surroundings in both biological and cultural ways, our emphasis in this course will be on cultural adaptations: i.e., those that are learned and shared as members of societies. This course has two major objectives: first, to introduce you to the theories and methods of ecological anthropology; second, to examine empirical case studies of human adaptive strategies in various physical and social circumstances.

Bates, Daniel G.
2005 Human Adaptive Strategies: Ecology, Culture, and Politics. Third Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Fratkin, Elliot M.
2004    Ariaal Pastoralists of Kenya: Studying Pastoralism, Drought and Development in Africa's Arid Lands. Second Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Reed, Richard
1997 Forest Dwellers, Forest Protectors: Indigenous Models for International Development. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Townsend, Patricia
2000 Environmental Anthropology: From Pigs to Politics. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press Inc.

All supplementary on-line readings are hyper-linked to the on-line syllabus.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your performance on the following criteria:

Attendance and participation: Whether or not you come to class is up to you. At the end of the semester I'll assign up to 20 points based upon my perception of how much you showed up and whether or not you made significant, meaningful contributions to class discussion.

Exams - There will be midterm exam (100 points) and a cumulative final (150 points). They will be comprised of objective (multiple choice, true-false) questions, short answers, and essays. You'll need a good excuse if you expect to take a make-up, which is all essay and given only at my discretion if you present me with a verifiable excuse or proof of extenuating circumstance (e.g., a death in the family or major vehicular problems) and you contacted me within 48 hours of the exam. Failure to do either results in automatic forfeiture of the exam grade.

Critical Book Reviews: You'll read and critically review the books by Fratkin and Reed. These reviews are worth 35 points each. The one on Fratkin's book will be due on March 7th (midterm) and the review of Reed's book will be due on the last day of class, April 25th. Late submissions will be penalized 10 points per day late. I will provide you with further details concerning the format shortly.

Article reviews: With the exception of those assigned for January 10th for each assigned on-line article you must complete a review form (available on the class web site) and submit it in class the day it is due. Late submissions will not be accepted. Each review will potentially be worth 5 points. They should be typed and demonstrate appreciable thought.

Extra credit - None will be given. Just do what is asked of you and you'll be fine.

Students with disabilities who believe that they may need an accommodation in this are encouraged to contact Greg Tougtes, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-2652 V/TTY, CMU 222 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Miscellaneous - I reserve the right to slightly modify the point ranges listed below (upward, but not downward) to benefit people who put forth exemplary effort.

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