"The most important issue confronting the social sciences is the extent to which human behavior is shaped by factors that operate cross-culturally as opposed to factors that are unique to particular cultures." (Trigger 2003:3)
course design and learning objectives
Knowledge you will acquire that will be useful in your future will include...
Skills you will learn that will be useful in your future include...
You will become a better thinker/problem solver...
- a scientifically-informed understanding of the North American past that will help you consider current social and environmental challenges (e.g., problems of population level increases, climate change, and sustainability) in their long-term context. Associated course activities: Reading Notes and 1491.
Skills you will learn that will be useful in your future include...
- the ability to make empirically supported, valid generalizations about human behavior and culture using comparative research methods. Associated course activities: Cross-cultural comparative study.
- the ability to evaluate the reliability of information you encounter on the web, in print, or on TV about Native American archaeology and the past. Associated course activities: Cross-cultural comparative study.
- the ability to create a website and to manage digital information. Associated course activities: Information management system and Website.
- correlation vs. causation, biological evolution, sociocultural evolution, environmental impacts, circumscription, scientific method, etc. Associated course activities: Reading Notes and class presentation by instructor.
You will become a better thinker/problem solver...
- by improving your ability to apply the scientific and comparative methods to an understanding of the past and present (and problems you will be asked to solve in many careers!). Associated course activities: Cross-cultural comparative study.
- through your ability to evaluate "how you know what you know." Associated course activities: Cross-cultural comparative study.
