First-Year Seminar in Anthropology

Catalog description

ANTH 83S First-Year Seminar in Anthropology meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This seminar introduces students to anthropology as a scientific discipline with ties to other social and natural sciences. Through active participation in the seminar, students will be exposed to an aspect of anthropology that corresponds to a faculty member's area of expertise. Because students are introduced to cutting edge research, the course content will vary from one semester to the next. Seminar topics highlight current debates in the discipline and the research process. Research design, analytical methods, and sampling issues are covered by having students read and discuss new and controversial developments in anthropology. Strong emphasis is placed on the broader societal significance of scholarly research related to the seminar's principal focus. Student comprehension of topics raised in class will be assessed by classroom participation, exams, and papers. In addition to the academic topic and issues of this course, students can expect to gain a general introduction to the University as an academic community and have the opportunity to explore their responsibilities as members of that community. Students will develop an understanding of the learning tools and resources available to them, including the opportunity to develop relationships with faculty and other students who share their academic interests. This seminar fulfills both a first-year seminar requirement and a general education social science requirement for Bachelor of Arts.