ANSC 201: Introduction to Anthropological Research (WI)
Pre- or Corequisites: ANSC 106 or permission of instructor
Credit Hours: (3) Three hours seminar
This seminar serves as an Introduction to the Anthropological Sciences major and prepares students for success in the major. Topics will include the nature of scientific inquiry in Anthropology as well as career options and planning. Students will learn more about each subdiscipline in the field through a series of recursive writing assignments. They will learn to find, read and evaluate the primary literature. They will also begin to learn about the research process in anthropology from identifying feasible topics and research questions to preparing background literature reviews on their topic.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Students cannot receive credit for both ANSC 497 and ANSC 201.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Topics to be covered:
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course will be taught in seminar format. Although there will be some “lectures,”
most of the course will involve discussion and debate that will emanate from reading
the primary literature. Thus, the students themselves will accept a great deal of
responsibility for the conduct of the course.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
This course is designated as A (Cultural or Behavioral Analysis) Area and fulfills the learning goal: To examine the context and interactions of culture(s) and/or behavior(s). Students will fulfill the learning outcomes in this area: describe behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments and analyze the interactions of behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments.
This course may be applied to the REAL Studies Minor in Cultural/Behavior Analysis.
This course is designated as Writing Intensive (WI). The following conditions apply to this course:
This course fulfills the following learning goal: Through instruction and feedback, students become more adept at producing appropriate and effective written work. Students will fulfill the following learning outcomes: demonstrate proficiency in the writing conventions of a discipline and communicate through writing their understanding of disciplinary content and/or texts.
This course fulfills the writing intensive requirements for the REAL Curriculum.
Goal: To explore the discipline of anthropology, and practice the tools and methods needed for life-long success in the discipline.
At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
Assessment Measures
A variety of assessment measures will be used. These will include frequent writing
assignments (e.g., article reviews and summaries), class participation (e.g., attendance,
discussion, short presentations, etc.), and the completion of a professional resume
or curriculum vitae. As a final project for the course, students will produce a basic
research design on a selected topic.
Other course information
None.
Review and Approval
December, 2009
Revised: March 20, 2012
August, 2021