Learning Goals & Objectives
Student Learning Goal 1
Students will understand and appreciate the value of anthropology as a comprehensive and holistic science for investigating our species within an evolutionary framework and from a cross-cultural perspective.
Students will:
- Objective A: Recognize the value of science, logic, and rational speculation for anthropological inquiry;
- Objective B: Distinguish between empirical evidence and personal conjecture (opinions and beliefs);
- Objective C: Understand and appreciate the scientific method, and apply critical analysis to anthropological information.
Student Learning Goal 2
Majors will develop an understanding of anthropological research methodology.
Students will:
- Objective A: Comprehend the value of converging evidence for biological anthropology and archaeology;
- Objective B: Critically evaluate the socio-cultural differences among human groups, including the diverse structures of human languages;
- Objective C: Acquire an appreciation for areas in applied anthropology, e.g., forensic anthropology and medical anthropology;
- Objective D: Articulate the importance of ethics in conducting research.
Student Learning Goal 3
Majors will demonstrate a mastery of those essential concepts and the major theories that are found in each of the five distinct subfields in the discipline of anthropology.
Students will:
- Objective A: Distinguish among overlapping perspectives, as well as complementary theories, e.g., evolutionism, structuralism, functionalism, naturalism, humanism, rationalism, relativism, and configurationalism (culture and personality studies)
- Objective B: demonstrate knowledge of the major theorists in each of the five subfields of anthropology;
- Objective C: comprehend and integrate the significant findings and emerging trends in the subfields of anthropology
Student Learning Goal 4
Majors will gain a greater tolerance for human biosocial diversity and a deeper respect for the crucial role that anthropology plays in comprehending and appreciating the place of our own species within evolving nature.
Students will:
- Objective A: recognize the fallacy of both biological racism and socio-cultural prejudices;
- Objective B: understand both the historical development and biological unity of our species, as well as the socio-cultural diversity of humankind;
- Objective C: appreciate the complexity inherent in all languages, as well as the universal characteristics of languages;
- Objective D: grasp both the intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach of the anthropological quest.
