Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology -
Subsistence, Ecology and Culture
Anthropologys relevance as a
discipline is supported by the fact that citizens of the
contemporary United States often leave their own lives
unexamined. In emphasizing the need to apply critical
perspectives to everyday situations, I often request that
students develop an appreciation of the cultural issues connected
to subsistence. In many cases students are willing to analyze
non-western forms of subsistence, but when it comes to focusing
on subsistence of the contemporary United States, there is
sometimes some reluctance. My students have helped me to bridge
this gap by creating original posters and PowerPoints on the
topic of subsistence. In some cases these include works that
highlight the cultural and ecological problems associated with
western subsistencesuch as in the case of the fast food
industryand how traditional and indigenous forms of
subsistenceas illustrated in one students actual cooking
demonstration and cultural overview associated with
paelladiffer in their cultural embeddedness and their impact on
the local ecology. One of the most effective presentations of
this topic was offered by a Native American student in my
Cultural Anthropology class. Her presentation on Navajo cooking
provided our class with a consideration of how Native American
subsistence has been impacted by the modern culture of the United
States.
Cultural
Anthropology- Appreciation of Indigenous Cultures
One of the most important insights that I
offer in my Cultural Anthropology class is the appreciation of
cultural diversity. Especially in the contemporary world,
students see the significance of the impact of globalization on
indigenous peoples and their land. Students have used their
unique knowledge of the global world in discussing the specific
issues associated with the impact of contemporary technology and
economics on indigenous peoples.
Anthropologys relevance as a
discipline is supported by the fact that citizens of the
contemporary United States often leave their own lives
unexamined. In emphasizing the need to apply critical
perspectives to everyday situations, I often request that
students develop an appreciation of the cultural issues connected
to subsistence. In many cases students are willing to analyze
non-western forms of subsistence, but when it comes to focusing
on subsistence of the contemporary United States, there is
sometimes some reluctance. My students have helped me to bridge
this gap by creating original posters and PowerPoints on the
topic of subsistence. In some cases these include works that
highlight the cultural and ecological problems associated with
western subsistencesuch as in the case of the fast food
industryand how traditional and indigenous forms of
subsistenceas illustrated in one students actual cooking
demonstration and cultural overview associated with
paelladiffer in their cultural embeddedness and their impact on
the local ecology. One of the most effective presentations of
this topic was offered by a Native American student in my
Cultural Anthropology class. Her presentation on Navajo cooking
provided our class with a consideration of how Native American
subsistence has been impacted by the modern culture of the United
States.