ANTHROPOLOGY 461
APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY

1. Catalog Entry

Anthropology 461. Applied Anthropology.
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisite: ANTH 121

This course examines the ways that anthropological perspectives, theories, and methods are applied in practice to solve regional, national, and global problems.

2. Detailed Description of the Course

Content

The class covers the history, research issues, and current directions in Applied Anthropology, examining ways that anthropologists put their perspectives, theories, and methods to work in an applied manner to solve regional, national, and global problems. Fieldwork will provide students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on an applied anthropology project, and put reading/lecture materials into practice.

Topics to be covered:

• The history and development of Applied Anthropology as a recognized and growing area of practice, and its relationship to the discipline as a whole
• A survey of applied research activities and directions in cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and archaeology, including a literature survey of applied practice in the following topics: planning, medicine, business, education, economic development, government and law, cultural heritage preservation
• Different forms of Applied Anthropology (Development Anthropology, Cultural Brokerage, Advocacy Anthropology; Community Development; Public Anthropology
• Ethical issues in applied anthropological research
• The research design of Applied Anthropology projects in general, and a specific demonstration through the design of the Applied Anthropology class project (with emphasis on teaching students professional anthropological skills/knowledge that they might apply in their own post-B.S./B.A. careers);
• Field project designed by the professor to enable students to gain hands-on experience in an actual applied anthropology project, to complement and reinforce the class reading and lectures. The professor will structure the project so that the class is engaged in service learning of benefit to the region while applying their anthropology skills.

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course.

 A combination of lecture and informal discussion is used in this course. Both focus upon assigned readings, audio-visual presentation, and applicable materials drawn from media discussions of current events.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course.

Having successfully completed this course, students will:

• Understand the differences between pure and applied anthropological research
• Have an understanding and appreciation of the practical applications of the anthropological perspectives, theory, and methods they have learned in their anthropology courses
• Have an understanding of the range of applied professional activities engaged in by anthropologists in the three subfields of cultural anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology
• Be able to explain the research design of applied anthropology projects
• Be able to explain the ethical guidelines and considerations of applied anthropology
• Know how to access information by and about the professional applied anthropology organizations, such as the Society for Applied Anthropology and the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
• Have knowledge of applied professional career opportunities and career paths through which they might apply the anthropological knowledge they have gained in their B.S./B.A. studies
• Be able to demonstrate that they have experientially applied their studies in an actual field research situation

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment Measures will include all or some of the following: written essay assignments, tests, oral presentations, visual and/or computer presentations, peer evaluation of work on cooperative group projects, evaluation by the professor of fieldwork performance, and possible input from appropriate professionals associated with the fieldwork project.

6. Other Course Information

None

7. Approval and Review

DATE ACTION REVIEWED
October 2005, Sociology & Anthropology Dept. Curriculum Committee