Anthropology 179
Fall 2001
Monday 6-9pm
Lafayette 200 |
Dr. Chuck de Burlo
Anthropology Depart.
656-3884
cdeburlo@zoo.uvm.edu
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Environmental anthropology is a course on how humans relate
to their environment in the broadest sense. It is multidisciplinary in
approach, covering cultural ecology, ecological anthropology, ethnoscience,
and political ecology. In this course, we are concerned with both human
adaptability—integrating social and biological approaches—and with
cultural and political ecology.
The course is not merely focused on ethnographies (cultural descriptions)
of local communities. It is engaged in major contemporary issues of the
human dimensions of global environmental change, and questions of population
and environment, “common property” resources, indigenous peoples’ environmental
sciences and management regimes of resources, and the power relations or
politics affecting local and global human use of the environment. We are
involved in a highly charged and engaged political discussion about “nature,
“environment,” and “culture.” Our readings and activities are based upon
substantive ethnographies of particular communities and their adaptations.
These case studies are the basis for the application of concepts and modes
of analyses derived from the text. These, in turn, are moved to a broader
level of understanding through the domains of ethnoscience and political
ecology.
It is the responsibility of all students to take this discussion
seriously, and engage with others in each and every class. There will be
regular assignments used to encourage critical thinking about the readings,
and to stimulate class discussion.
Required Texts
Human Adaptability. (Second Edition) (2000) Emilio F. Moran.
Westview Press.
Maps & Dreams. (1998), Hugh Brody. Waveland Press.
Always Hungry, Never Greedy. (1986). Miriam Kahn. Cambridge University
Press.
Sacred Ecology (1999) Fikret Berkes. Taylor and Francis.
Liberation Ecologies: environment, development, social movements.
Richard Peet and Michael Watts, editors. Routledge Press.
Course Requirements
This course is conducted in seminar format. This means that all students
are responsible for active participation in class discussions, and for
all the readings and assignments.
Class participation, including attendance, is a large part of your
final grade.
All assignments are to be word-processed and handed in for grading.
Assignments
Students will complete all assignments and papers on time. Lateness
in handing in your work will result in loss of grade points.
A on the syllabus indicates an assignment due in class. Assignments
are numbered, as in A1, A2…
Assignments come in various forms, from library research to problem
solving papers and Internet research. All assignments are to be written
(word-processed).
Research Paper
The course requires that each student research a topic on human ecology
(selected from options provided) and conduct thorough library research.
The end result will be a term research paper. You will be provided with
both a selection of topics, and a guidelines paper for your research and
writing.
Under no circumstances may a student use a paper or research for another
class for their research paper.
Evaluation
Class participation
20%
Assignments
30%
Research Paper
30%
Final Exam
20%
Final Exam: Given in classroom on the day of last class at regular
class time.
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