Ecology and Anthropology

Course Code:

ANT419

Semester:

Fall

Course Type:

Core

P:

3

Lab:

0

Laboratuvar Saati:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

6

Course Language:

English

Course Objectives:

This course focuses on how diverse communities around the world interact with their environment from an anthropological point of view. The course aims to understand human adaptation to environment and also discuss contemporary issues about environment, such as climate change, environmentalism, ecofeminism, political ecology.

Course Content:

Ecological anthropology studies the relations between human beings and their environments. In the first part of this course we will focus on diverse ways that people have adapted to their ecology and strategies they used for this adaptation. We will discuss traditional ecological knowledge and how different communities around the world may possess valuable knowledge about the Earth.

However, in the last hundred years, people have altered the global environment in ways that have no precedent in human history. With the contemporary environmental crisis as its backdrop, the second part of the course course will examine some classic and contemporary anthropological approaches to the environment and environmentalism. We will discuss issues like cultural ecology, political ecology, environmental history, ecofeminism, urban ecology and climate change.

Course Methodology:

1: Lecture, 2: Question-Answer, 3: Discussion 4: Simulation 5: Case Study

Course Evaluation Methods:

A: Testing, B: Multiple Choice C: Homework D: Fill in the blanks E: True or false F: Oral exam G: Portfolio

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1- To develop students understanding of the concept of sustainability and the challenges we face in responding to environmental variables and resolving environmental problems.	1,2,3,6,7,8	1,2,4	A,C
2- Learn how Homo sapiens is one of the most adaptable species on earth with respect to environmental variation.	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9	1,2,4	A,C
3- Become familiar with different theoretical models and epistemologies regarding the nature and drivers of human-environmental relationships.	1,2,3,4,6,7,8	1,2,3,5	A,C
4-Obtain perspective to understand relationship and strategies between people and their environment	1,2,3,4,5,7	1,2,3,5	A,C

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction to Environmental Anthropology
2	Human Ecological Relations in the Past Hunter-Gatherers / Horticulturalists/ Farmers
3	Theories of Human-Habitat Interaction Cultural Ecology
4	Indigenous People and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
5	Human Adaptability to Cold Climates Life in the Artic Ecosystem
6	Human Adaptability to High Altitudes Mountain Ecosystems
7	Human Adaptability to Arid Lands Desert Ecosystems
8	Human Adaptability to the Humid Tropics Tropical Rainforest Ecosystems
9	Midterm Exam
10	Gender and Environment Ecofeminism
11	Conflict in the Struggle over Natural Resources Political Ecology
12	Population and Urban Ecology Ecology of Cities
13	Climate Change and the World
14	Anthropology and Environmentalism Sustainable Communities

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES

Textbook

Human Adaptability: An Introduction to Ecological Anthropology, Emilio F. Moran (2007), Routledge

Introduction to Cultural Ecology. Mark Q. Sutton and E.N. Anderson.( 2010). Second Edition. Altamira Press.

People and Nature: An Introduction to Human Ecological Relations, Emilio F. Moran (2016), Wiley-Blackwell

Additional Resources

-

Additional articles will be given every week.

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	Related books, articles and documentaries
Assignments	Take home exam and presentation
Exams	Mid-term and final exam

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	1	30
Presentation and Attendance	1	30
Final	1	40
Total		100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE		40
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		60
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Main theories and concepts of social sciences in general and anthropology in particular, the physical and cultural development of humanity in the historical process, a wide spectrum of cultural patterns and archaelogical knowledge are understood and absorbed,				X
2	The ability to analyze current phenomena with an anthropological perspective and to think analytically and critically are acquired,				X
3	Good communication and written/oral expression skills are developed,			X
4	Acquires professional and social ethics, as well as an elevated sense of responsibility,			X
5	By studying the dynamics of a variety of cultural phenomena in detail, students become able to perceive and interpret the general features, geographical conditions, historical processes and dynamics of change in Turkish and other world cultures,				X
6	Establishes and builds on a wide perception and understanding of local and global issues and develops personally and professionally,			X
7	In accordance with Life Long Learning principles, students acquire the skill and vision to continuously seek to utilize knowledge and information from outside their fields of expertise; to make collaborations and and syntheses with their own respective repertoire of knowledge,				X
8	Students become able to spot social issues fit for anthropological research; acquire the methods, techniques and cultural equipment necessary for field work,				X
9	Their solo and team work skills, critical social gaze and scientifically and ethically responsible investigation abilities become augmented.				X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	15	3	45
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	15	3	45
Mid-terms	1	20	20
Presentation Take home	1	10	10
Final examination	1	30	30
Total Work Load			150
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			6
ECTS Credit of the Course			6

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