Undergraduate Student Learning Initiative (USLI)
The Undergraduate Student Learning Initiative (USLI) is a campus wide project to support departments in establishing educational goals and evaluation procedures for the undergraduate majors. As a result of the initiative, the Anthropology Department faculty has discussed and developed the following goals and has indicated some of the courses where students can find these goals to be included. This is a living document, but the intent is for students and faculty to have a shared understanding of the purposes of our major and what graduating seniors are expected to have gained in the major.Pilot projects are being developed in consultation with Anthropology majors for effective ways to evaluate if these goals are being communicated, taught and met.
Anthropology Learning Goals
I. Learning about Anthropology
1. Understand core concepts in contemporary biological anthropology.
2. Understand core concepts in contemporary anthropological archeology.
3. Understand core concepts in contemporary sociocultural anthropology, including
medical anthropology.
4. Develop understanding of the history of anthropological thought.
5. Gain experience in fieldwork and the application of theory and methodology.
6. Develop understanding of the anthropological analysis of visual media and language.
II. Critical Thinking, Communication, and Analytical Goals
7. Encourage critical abilities in the analysis of evolutionary, historical and
contemporary situations.
8. Develop the ability to analyze comprehensively and critically scholarly articles and
monographs.
9. Develop facility in conveying anthropological concepts and debates to public
audiences.
10. Formulate well-organized written and oral arguments supported by evidence.
III. Learning About the World
11. Understand the structure and transformation of society and culture past and present
12. Analyze regional and cultural diversity in the organization of human societies and
the impact of cultural contacts and globalization.
13. Integrate biological and cultural perspectives on human behavior, social
organization, and the environment.
14. Utilize anthropological concepts and methods to understand the history and forms of
diversity in U.S. society.
These goals are to be accomplished through required and elective courses, including service learning and internships, fieldwork opportunities, research apprenticeships, original research projects and honors theses, and participation in events of the anthropological community of scholars.
Anthropology Learning Goals: Expectations and Courses
The following list links some specific courses to specific learning goals, although other courses also provide materials and pedagogies to accomplish these goals.
2. Understand core concepts in contemporary anthropological archeology: A2, A114, Archeology requirement (121-136h, 174ac).
3. Understand core concepts in contemporary sociocultural anthropology: A3, 114, Sociocultural anthropology requirement (115-119, 137-189a).
4. Develop understanding of the history of anthropological thought: A1, 2, 3, 136,114.
5. Gain experience in fieldwork and the application of theory and methodology: Method course requirement (100, 103, 121c, 127a, 128m, 131, 132, 132a, 134, 134a, 135a, 135b, 136a-h, 139, 169a, 169b).
6. Develop understanding of the anthropological analysis of visual media and language: Especially 136i, 136j, 150, 160, 161, 162, 166.
7. Encourage critical abilities in the analysis of evolutionary, historical and contemporary situations: A1, A2, A3, A114.
8. Develop the ability to analyze comprehensively and critically scholarly articles and monographs: RC courses, Senior thesis seminar, A 114 and multiple upper division courses.
9. Develop facility in conveying anthropological concepts and debates to public audiences: Especially 136, 136a-c, 136i-j, 138a-b, 139.
10. Formulate well-organized written and oral arguments supported by evidence: Most upper division courses.
11. Understand the structure and transformation of society and culture past and present: A2, A3, A114.
12. Analyze regional and cultural diversity in the organization of human societies and the impact of cultural contacts and globalization: A2, A3, A114, Area course requirement.
13. Integrate biological and cultural perspectives on human behavior, social organization, and the environment: Especially A1, 105, 108, 111, 115-119, 129c, 129d,135, 135a, 137, 140, 142, 147a, 147b, 148.
14. Utilize anthropological concepts and methods to understand the history and forms of diversity in U.S. society: 2ac, 3ac, Especially 121ac, 122f, 122g, 124ac, 139, 147a, 147b, 160ac, 172ac, 174ac.