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Next program: 2011
Courses
12 UNITS:
ANTH 339, 3 units: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology I
ANTH 339, 3 units: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology II
ANTH 306, 3 units: Costa Rican Cultures
ANTH 485, 3 units: International Study Preparation
ANTH 339:
COSTA RICAN PRIMATE BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY I & II
These two courses provide an introduction to the living nonhuman primates at the La Selva Biological Field Station and training in primate behavioral data collection field techniques. We will also discuss primate and rainforest conservation in light of ecotourism issues and development in Costa Rica. When you complete these two courses you should be able to:
- Recognize the four species of primates at La Selva and have a good grasp (so to speak) of the natural history of each,
- Create an ethogram for a primate species,
- Successfully employ several behavioral data collection techniques,
- Understand primate adaptations, social organization and ecological relationships, and
- Discuss key issues surrounding primate and rainforest conservation.
Note: Please review the forces of evolution (natural selection, gene flow, genetic drift and mutation) early on in the course on your own to make sure you have a good understanding of each. We will assume that each of you has a working knowledge of evolutionary forces. Please see us if you have questions.
Grades and Assignments: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology I
- Exam questions (40%)
- Sequoia Park Zoo Project (30%)
- Zoo Project Presentation (10%)
- Participation (20%)
Your first field project involves a trip to the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka to collect behavioral data on some of your close relatives, the nonhuman primates. Instructions for this project will be provided on the first day of the program in a separate handout. You will present your findings to the class. Your zoo project is due 12 June, Thursday.
The exam questions will consist of questions based on lectures, readings and in-class discussion. We will expect you to incorporate class material into your responses.
Grades and Assignments: Costa Rican Primate Behavior and Ecology II
- La Selva Primate Project (40%)
- La Selva Field Journal (40%)
- Participation (20%)
Your second field project will be based on your behavioral data collection efforts at La Selva. This project will build on the techniques that you learned by doing the Sequoia Park Zoo project. Your La Selva project will be due 1 July, Tuesday.
For each day that you are in the forest at La Selva, you will be expected to keep a daily field journal. This journal will consist of field notes – some formal, and many collected ad libitum. This journal should not be a personal diary, and should contain only field observations (note that this journal will contain your scan and focal animal samples as well).
ANTH 306:
COSTA RICAN CULTURES
This course will examine Costa Rican culture, history and development. We will analyze the impacts of ethnicity, class and gender experiences in various cultural practices, interpret cultural expression in its broadest political sense, and discuss the cultural identity, ethnic diversity and struggle for political autonomy for Costa Ricans. More specifically, in this course we hope to:
- better understand what it means to be "Tico or "Tica,"
- discuss ancient and modern cultural practices in Costa Rica,
- explore Costa Rican political history and its cultural correlates,
- place Costa Rica into the context of environmental and global change,
- question the viability of different concepts of "sustainable development,"
- evaluate hypotheses relating to tourism and the "commodification of culture,"
- and contemplate art and language in Costa Rican expression.
General Education
Anthropology 306 is a General Education (Area D - Upper Division) course and has been designed with GE goals in mind. This course should help you to further develop your ability to think and communicate clearly and effectively and to gain a better understanding of the human experience through the examination of culture and human interaction.
Grades, Assignment and Due Dates
- Class Presentation (power point) (20%)
- Exam questions (40%)
- Journal (20%)
- Participation (20%)
From the day you leave Arcata, you will be expected to keep a daily journal where you reflect upon your experiences of each day. This journal should not be a personal diary. Instead, you should (1) provide a short description of the events of the day, and an interpretation of them, noting anything that was significant (or even frustrating) for you, and explaining why, and (2) address specific issues or questions, which will be provided to you. Each entry does not have to be many pages long, but there must be something written for each day in Costa Rica. Please note that you should keep careful notes both while at HSU and in country. Incorporate material presented in the on-campus lectures in your journal.
The exam questions will consist of questions based on lectures, readings and in-class discussion. We will expect you to incorporate class material into your responses.
ANTH 485:
INTERNATIONAL STUDY PREPARATION
This course is designed to assist you in adjusting to life in a culture other than your own. Some of you may have traveled abroad before, and may just be interested in learning a bit more about yourself and how to adapt to cultural differences, but for others, going to Costa Rica will be the first time overseas. We will examine the issues of culture shock, stereotyping, misperceptions and misunderstandings, ethnocentrism and intercultural communication. We hope this class will help you:
- recognize and deal with culture shock,
- identify the aspects of your own culture that affect your values,
- see your own culture in a different light,
- explore the roots of ethnocentrism and the process of stereotype formation,
- incorporate new attitudes and behaviors into your interactions with people who view the world from a different perspective,
- increase your cultural sensitivity,
- improve your ability to communicate across cultures,
- and better adapt to and enjoy your time in Costa Rica.
Grades and Assignments
- Papers - 3 total, 15% each (45%)
- Exam questions (25%)
- Skit (10%)
- Participation (20%)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your first assignment is a three-page ‘preconception paper’ describing your preconceived notions of what Costa Rica will be like and your expectations for your upcoming experience. This is due at the beginning our first meeting (date TBA, 2011). Please note that you will not get credit for this assignment if you hand it in after this date.
Your last assignment related to this course is a three-page essay describing how your experience matched or didn't match your expectations and why. We would like you to write this assignment while you are on your flight(s) home.
You also will have a three-page ‘reflection paper’ due (date TBA, 2011).
The exam questions will consist of questions based on lectures, readings and in-class discussion. We will expect you to incorporate class material into your responses.
The skit assignment consists of presenting a short performance based on a hypothetical example of a relevant cultural misunderstanding. Students will work in groups of four for the skits. Creativity is encouraged (e.g., sketch comedy, puppets, hip hop), but all skits must be in good taste (non-offensive in any culture!). Each skit must be ten minutes in length.