Ant-295-01: Special Topics
Space and Culture: Methods and Perspectives in Geographic Anthropology
Fall 2002: MW 1:15-4:05 in Burling Library IIF
Course Web-Page :http://web.grinnell.edu/anthropology/Syllabi/ANT295HareF02.htm
Contact Information
Timothy S. Hare
Office: 204 Goodnow Hall
Telephone: 269-3966
E-mail:
haret@grinnell.edu
Office Hours: MWTh 9-11 and by appointment
Course Overview
This course introduces anthropological approaches and methods to understanding how humans use and perceive space. The interplay between space and culture underlies the processes of social reproduction and transformation. The development of the fields of human geography and spatial anthropology rests on the formulation of theoretical approaches for explaining the relationship between human action and landscapes. We will discuss the historical development of these approaches and explore their implications for the analysis of geographical problems using both quantitative and qualitative methods. In so doing, we will review contemporary theoretical approaches to how space structures human interactions and relationships.
Simultaneously, we will investigate and explore the use of geographical information systems (GIS) in the social sciences. The second half of most class periods will be structured around the use of GIS to investigate particular geographic problems in anthropology. Each GIS exercise will begin with the presentation of a real-world geographic data set and discussion of potential research questions that can be addressed. Students will then sketch a brief research design and conduct the analysis using a ArcGIS 8.2. At the end of each GIS exercise, students will present their analyses and conclusions to the class.
We will investigate the relationship between anthropological theory and geographic data through a semester-long research project. Each student will apply spatial analytical techniques to the interpretation of anthropological data. The course requirements are organized around the steps necessary for conducting original research in human geography. Students will identify relevant research questions, conduct an appropriate review of the literature, organize and implement a data generation strategy, analyze these data using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, and present their conclusions in three formats.
Readings
The course will utilize four texts available from the campus bookstore:
1.Cultural Geography: A Critical Introduction by Don Mitchell (CG).
2.Conducting Research into Human Geography: Theory, Methodology & Practice by Rob Kitchin and Nicholas J. Tate (CRHG).
3.Writing Empirical Research Reports by Fred Pyrczak and Randall R. Bruce (WERR).
4.Statistical Tricks and Traps: An Illustrated Guide to the Misuses of Statistics by Ennis C. Almer (STT).
The course also utilizes readings from a variety of sources that will be made available in class or on-line. We will read a wide variety of articles to provide a broad picture of contemporary practice in geographic anthropology
Lab and Network Workspace
The class uses the new GIS facilities located in the Burling Library IIF. We will be using ESRI's ArcGIS 8.2 for most GIS exercises. In addition, due to the size of GIS datafiles, personal network storage space is available at \\Storage\GIS\ant-295-01\student_folders\. There are named folders for each student. Please note that this storage space is to be used only for class projects. Similarly, lab exercise data will be placed in subfolders of the \\Storage\GIS\ant-295-01\exercises\ folder.
Blackboard
This Semester we will use the Blackboard system to enhance communication and cooperative research (http://blackboard.grinnell.edu/). In addition, I will post all course handouts on Blackboard.
Course Evaluation
Course grades are based on daily assignments, lab exercises, 1st drafts of final project components, a final presentation, a final poster, and a final paper.
|
|
Daily assignments and exercises will include a variety of short writing assignments and hands-on GIS tutorials. These assignments will also be the measure of class participation. You should keep up with the readings, turn in assignments on time, and come to class prepared to answer questions, ask questions, and engage in general discussion.
Attendance and participation are mandatory. Each student is allowed 3 absences. Subsequently, 1/3rd of a letter grade will be lost per absence. Missed assignments resulting from unexcused absences will receive zeros. Excused absences will be granted only when students contact me prior to the class and notice must be provided through academic affairs.
The majority of the course grade is based on various parts of the semester project. Each student will plan and conduct a geographically-oriented anthropological research project of their choosing. Throughout the semester, preliminary drafts of portions of the project paper will be turned in. I will return these drafts with constructive comments to help guide you through the process of anthropological writing. Each project will be presented formally to the class, summarized as a research poster, and ultimately written up as a research report. I will provide a detailed outline of each component of the research paper as the semester passes. Due dates are identified in the course outline.
The class presentation will be less than 30 minutes in length and use Microsoft Powerpoint or another appropriate computer presentation package. The presentation should address your entire research project, but be oriented toward communicating your research results.
The project poster will follow standard conference guidelines and summarize the goals, methods, and results of your research. Since there will not be a final exam, the posters will be presented publicly during the course's assigned final-exam period.
Of course, the most important means for communicating anthropological ideas is through writing. The final paper will take the form of an empirical research report.
Table 2: Course outline.
|
DATE |
TOPIC |
READINGS |
Assignments |
|
Mon Sept. 2 |
Course Introduction |
CG:xii-xxi; CRHG:ix-xi |
In class discussion:
Research Topics in Anthropology & Geography |
|
Wed
Sept 4 |
Cultural &
Geography |
CG:3-36; STT:52-53 |
Degrees of Evidence;
Intro to ArcGIS 8.2 |
|
Mon
Sept 9 |
Recent Directions in
Cultural Geography |
CG:37-65 |
GIS data analysis |
|
Wed.
Sept 11 |
What is Research? |
CRHG:1-27 |
Geographic Research;
Locating on-line data |
|
Mon
Sept 16 |
Preparing for Research |
CRHG:28-44 |
Exploring thematic
mapping |
|
Wed
Sept 18 |
Creating Quantitative
Data |
CRHG:45-69 |
Linking Theory and
Practice; Presenting GIS analyses |
|
Mon
Sept 23 |
Creating Qualitative
Data |
CRGH:211-228;
WERR:1-18 |
Defining Hypotheses; Mexican
economic development |
|
Wed
Sept 25 |
Power in Space |
CG:66-88; STT:2-3 |
Mentiras Verdaderas I;
VC-IV |
|
Mon Sept 30 |
Quantitative Data Analysis I |
CRGH:70-107;STT:4-5 |
Trends in St. Louis
area housing and crime |
|
Wed
Oct 2 |
Landscape Production |
CG:89-119; WERR:113-118; STT6-7 |
Realistic Trends?;
VC-V |
|
Mon
Oct 7 |
Qualitative Data
Analysis II |
CRGH:108-155;
WERR:19-24, 119-120; (WERR 93-102
Optional) |
Research Purpose & Hypotheses |
|
Wed
Oct 9 |
Social
Reproduction
|
CG:120-144; STT:8-9 |
Rates; VC-VI |
|
Mon
Oct 14 |
Spatial Analysis |
CRGH:156-210;
WERR:33-62 |
Introduction & Literature Review |
|
Wed
Oct 16 |
Spectacle &
Transgression |
CG:145-170; STT:10-13 |
Spatial descriptive
statistics & Iowa settlement |
|
Oct 19-27 |
Fall Break |
|
|
|
Mon
Oct 28 |
Qualitative Data
Analysis I |
CRGH:229-256; STT 14-17 |
Mapping the U.S.
Census |
|
Wed
Oct 30 |
Gender & Control |
CG:171-198; STT:18-21 |
More mapping of the
U.S. census |
|
Mon
Nov 4 |
Qualitative Data
Analysis II |
CRGH:257-269;
STT:22-25 |
Ethnic and Industrial
variability in modern China |
|
Wed
Nov 6 |
Geographic Gender |
CG:199-229; STT:26-29 |
The spatial
distribution of racial and ethnic diversity |
|
Mon
Nov 11 |
Writing Research |
CRGH:270-289;
WERR:63-72 |
Methods Section |
|
Wed
Nov 13 |
Racial Geography |
CG:230-258; STT:30-35 |
Causal Power |
|
Mon Nov 18 |
|
WERR:73-80 |
Analysis Section |
|
Wed
Nov 20 |
The Right/Power to Be |
CG:259-284; STT:36-39 |
Gender, place, and
political action |
|
Mon Nov 25 |
|
WERR:81-88 |
Discussion Section (complete draft) |
|
Wed
Nov 27 |
Rights & Justice |
CG:285-294; WERR:25-32 |
Title |
|
Mon
Dec 2 |
Class Presentations |
WERR:89-92 |
Abstract |
|
Wed
Dec 4 |
Class Presentations |
STT:40-45 |
Sample This |
|
Mon
Dec 9 |
Class Presentations |
STT:46-51 |
The Measure of a Man |
|
Wed
Dec 11 |
Class Presentations |
STT:52-55 |
Big Picture |
|
Tues
Dec 17 |
FINAL EXAM PERIOD
|
Where to now?
CRGH:290-292 |
Poster Session |
Note: Bold assignments correspond to submission dates of project 1st draft writing assignments.