Anthropology

An examination of the complex social arrangements guiding individual behavior and common human concerns in contrasting cultural contexts within and between indigenous, slave, feudal, capitalist, and socialist societies.

This course explores the way that tribal peoples around the world have approached some of the classic questions of scientific inquiry. Specific topics include -ethnocentrism in science as well as indigenous approaches to logic, math, and knowledge of the physical environment (i.e., geology, astronomy). Special emphasis will fall upon Alaska Native approaches to climate and ecology. Labs serve as vehicles to learn scientific methodology and to provide evidence to illustrate topics presented in lectures. Meets the general education requirement for a 4-credit natural science course with laboratory.

Examines the traditional Aleut, Eskimo and Indian cultures of Alaska including: linguistic and cultural groupings, technology, subsistence patterns, social organization, religion, human ecology, history and current political, social and economic issues. This course meets the initial teacher certification requirements of AS 14.20.20(h) and 4 AAC 12.075(b) of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Office of Teacher Education and Certification, Approved Courses (for specific certification requirements, please see http://www.eed.state.ak.us/TeacherCertification/.