Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Front Page
ANTH 322: Method and Theory in Ecological Anthropology
Fall 2014
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45 am
Dr. Sean S. Downey
Department of Anthropology
University of Maryland
Class Location: WDS0104
Office Hours: Woods Hall 0113 , Thursdays 12:30-2:30 PM
Office Telephone: 301-405-1427
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Brief Description
This course is a broad exploration to the field of ecological anthropology, focusing on issues related tocooperation, the management of common property, sustainability, and complexity. The main goals for thecourse are to help students acquire an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of competingapproaches to the question of the relationship of ecology to the social world. In doing this, you will come tounderstand how societies from across the world achieve sustainability, and also what has causedenvironmental collapse. On the natural science side, the major approaches to be considered are behavioral andsystems ecology. From the social sciences, we will explore the methods of sociocultural anthropology,evolutionary game theory, cognitive models, agent-based modeling, and political ecology. Case studies willdraw on the ethnology and archaeology of Indonesia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.
Why combine anthropology and ecology in a single course? Traditionally, social scientists study socialsystems, and natural scientists study ecosystems. But many of the most pressing problems of our time haveto do with the relationship of human societies to the natural world. There is now abundant scientific evidencethat humanity is living unsustainably, and “sustainability science” is emerging as a high priority for research andeducation. In this course, we will consider the strengths and weaknesses of the three major competingapproaches to the study of humans and the environment: systems ecology, behavioral ecology, and politicalecology. How do these approaches differ? Systems ecology focuses on the flow of energy and information inecosystems, at scales ranging from a single organism to the planet as a whole. This is also the starting-pointfor investigating the resilience and robustness of ecosystems. In contrast, behavioral ecology uses the theoryof natural selection to analyze the fitness benefits of social behaviors, like cooperation and competition.Finally, political ecology addresses questions about governance, power and institutions.
The best way to learn how to use these analytical tools is to see how they have been used to investigatespecific cases. In addition to a core textbook on ecological anthropology Human Adaptability (Moran), we willread two classic ethnographies, The Dobe Ju/‘hoansi (Lee) about African hunter-gatherers, and Priests andProgrammers (Lansing) about Balinese rice-farmers. So while you are learning about ecological anthropology,you will also be introduced to the ethnology of these, and other regions. The course is very carefully organizedto maximize your learning opportunities. But as you are about to discover, much about the the format isdifferent from other classes. In addition to lectures, the course incorporates participatory activities,ethnographic film, and exercises in agent-based modeling (ABM). Finally, there is a semester-long processdesigned to help you write an excellent research paper. The key to success in this course is to pay very closeattention to the instructions for your assignments, and to keep a close watch on the course website on ELMSfor deadlines.
This course is part of the Chesapeake Project which means it contributes a growing curriculum(http://www.sustainability.umd.edu/content/curriculum/chesapeake_project_courses.php) about sustainability atUMD. The learning objectives in this course with respect to sustainability are (1) to be able to recognize andexplain how individual actions can contribute to the emergence of sustainability at aggregate social levels, adthe conditions necessary for this to occur;; and (2) to become familiar with examples of western and non-western cultures that have coped successfully (and unsuccessfully) with sustainability.
Textbook(s)
Lansing, Stephen J. (2007). Priests and Programmers. Second Edition. NJ: Princeton University Press.
Lee, Richard E. (2003) The Dobe Ju/‘hoansi. Third Edition. Wadsworth Thompson.
Moran, Emilio M. (2008) Human Adaptability, Third Edition. PA: Westview Press.
All the books are available through the UMD bookstore.
Classroom Participation
Periodically throughout the course (and on no particular schedule) I will pass around a sign-in sheet which willcount towards classroom participation.
Pre-requisites
Students in this course are assumed to understand basic concepts in evolution and natural selection.Acceptable pre-prerequisites are ANTH 222, ANTH 220 or equivalent. If you have not taken one of thesecourses you may still take the course with permission from the instructor.
Cellphone and laptops in the classroom
Texting, email, and web-surfing (Facebook, etc.) is unacceptable during class. It disrupts me, and thereby, therest of your classmates. If I find you violating this rule you will be asked to leave. Electronic devices may beused for note-taking only.
Proper Citation and plagiarism
Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade for the course. Provide citations foreverything. Credit directly quoted and paraphrased words of others as well as sources of information. Thisincludes internet sources as well.
If you have any questions about proper citation, please refer to the library help page or ask me:
http://www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citation-tools (http://www.lib.umd.edu/ues/guides/citation-tools)
The UMD Code of Academic Integrity can be viewed online
http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/iii100a.html (http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/iii100a.html)
Incompletes
Incompletes should be reserved for extreme emergencies that prevent the completion of course assignmentstoward the end of a school semester. It is very difficult to make up course assignments from a previoussemester once a new semester begins, and students are often not able to prevent an Incomplete grade fromlapsing into an F before the assigned deadline. If you think it is necessary to apply for an Incomplete grade due
to an end of semester emergency, please contact the instructor immediately to arrange for a new submissiondate for the incomplete work and to fill out the proper paperwork. The instructor reserves the right to refuse anIncomplete grade to any student.
Late assignments
Late assignments will only be accepted under extreme circumstances, and if accepted, will be subject to pointdeductions at the instructor’s discretion. Always alert the instructor ahead of time if you think that you may notbe able to submit an assignment on time.
Special Needs
If any student has any special study or test-taking needs (e.g., test anxiety, dyslexia, poor vision or hearing,special seating requirements, etc.), please let me know as soon as possible so that we can make yourparticipation in this course a rewarding one. In addition, I will make students aware of special services/facilitieson this campus that might be of assistance in the course of your studies here at UMCP including DisabilitySupport Services (http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/ (http://www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/) ) and theUniversity Counseling Center (http://counseling.umd.edu (http://counseling.umd.edu) ).
Religious Observance
Effort will be made to avoid scheduling assignments with major religious holidays. However, it is the student'sresponsibility to inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious observances other than those listedon the UMD website in advance (http://www.faculty.umd.edu/teach/attend_student.html#religious
(http://www.faculty.umd.edu/teach/attend_student.html%23religious) ). Prior notification via the ELMS Messagingis required by the end of the second week of class.
Copyright
All course materials (presentations, exams, handouts, labs, etc. in digital or paper format) are subject tocopyright protection and may only be used for personal use. Course materials must not be distributed withoutpermission of the instructor.
Jump to TodayCourse Syllabus
Date Day Details
Thu, Apr 3 Thu Research Paper Draft (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344085) due by 11:59pm
Thu, Oct 2 Thu Peer Review Workshop #1 (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344080) due by 9am
Research Project Proposal (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344081) due by 9am
Tue, Oct 21 Tue Midterm Exam (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344083) due by 11:59pm
Thu, Nov 6 Thu Peer Review Workshop #2 (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344082) due by 11:59pm
Thu, Dec 11 Thu Research paper (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344087) due by 11:59pm
Tue, Dec 16 Tue Final Exam (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344084) due by 11:59pm
Other Bali Subak Simulation Lab (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344089)
Classroom Participation (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344086)
Daisyworld Simulation Lab (https://myelms.umd.edu/courses/1087902/assignments/3344088)
Week 1 (9/2, 9/4) - Introduction to Ecological Anthropology. Moran c1-4.
Week 2 (9/9, 9/11) - African forager behavioral ecology. Moran c7 ; Lee c1-2, c4. (OPTIONAL: Knight 2003 ). The Meat Fight (http://proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/login?url=http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?ANTH;765414) (14 mins) by John Marshall and discussion in class.
Week 3 (9/16, 9/18) - African forager behavioral ecology. Lee c5, c8; Weissner 2009 ; N!ai: the story of a !Kung woman (http://proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/login?url=http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?ANTH;764976) (59 mins) by John Marshall. N!ai Study Guide.
Week 4 (9/23, 9/25) - Cooperation and evolutionary game theory. Hardin 1968 , Hardin 1998 ; Monibot 1994 ; Sigmund 1993 ; Roughgarden 2006 ;PD game in class. PD Game Handout . Listen: Radio Lab Axlerod MP3
Week 5 (9/30, 10/2) - Agriculture, demographic growth, and societal collapse. Diamond 1995 ; Shennan/Downey et al. 2013 ; Kennett et. al, 2012 .
Upload proposals here (CRITICAL! PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE 9:00 AM THURSDAY!)
Uploaded three completed peer reviews here after class: Peer review workshop #1
Week 6 (10/7. 10/9) - Systems, regulation, and adaptation. Crutzen 2002 ; Lovelock 1990 ; Ward 2009 ; Rockstrom 2009 ; Daisyworld SimulationLab.
Week 7 (10/14, 10/16) - Ritual regulation in the tribal world. Rappaport 1967 ; Wilk 1981 ; Lansing 2006 ; Midterm study guide .
Week 8 (10/21, 10/23) - Resilience of coupled human-natural systems. Chapin 2009 ; Lansing (Forward to 2nd Edition of P&P). In-class Midterm Exam(Tuesday).
Week 9 (10/28, 10/30) - Traditional ecological knowledge: swidden and rice cultivation in the Tropics. Moran c9; Geertz 1967 ; Downey 2010 .
Week 10 (11/4, 11/6) - Coupled systems: The subaks of Bali. Moran c9; Lansing c1-2; Three Worlds of Bali film (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=the%20three%20worlds%20of%20bali&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CDAQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F63799631&ei=Awh5UoLNLqmssAS-lICABg&usg=AFQjCNFVX6hzvQ2H-27uN7SVFNAVZbLSug&bvm=bv.55980276,d.cWc) ; Peer review workshop #2
Week 11 (11/11. 11/13) - Coupled systems: The subaks of Bali. Lansing c3-5; Bali Subak Simulation Lab
Week 12 (11/18, 11/20) - Anthropology and Complexity. Lansing 2003 ; Lansing and Downey 2011 (Optional).
Week 13 (11/25, 11/27 is Thanksgiving) - Group Discussion on Tuesday. Please develop ONE open-ended question that will stimulate discussion about any topic wehave covered thus far in this course. It can be something you don't understand and want clarified, or a topic you find contentions or interesting. We will "circle-up" thedesks and work around the class so everyone will have the opportunity to pose their question.
Week 14 (12/2, 12/4) - Complexity in Urban Systems. Moran c10; Betancourt and West 2010 . Tuesday lecture . Geoff West -- Urban Scaling Laws TEDTalk (http://www.ted.com/talks/geoffrey_west_the_surprising_math_of_cities_and_corporations.html) .
Week 15 (12/9, 12/11) - Consumerism, Values and Political Ecology. Sahlins 1994 (optional); Lansing c6; Helmreich 1999 ; Lansing 2000 .
Research paper due Thursday -- upload here.
Exam Week. In-class Final Exam on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 8-10AM. Final Exam Review Sheet.
