Anth 361 CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

Anthropology 361
Env. Studies 361
Internat. Studies 361
Culture and Environment
Fall 2008

M/W 1:00-2:30 Louderman 458

www.artsci.wustl.edu/~anthro/courses/361
MESSAGES & UPDATES [latest: 4 Sept]
SYLLABUS
RESOURCES
FACTOIDS
ANTHROPOLOGY DEPT

Prof. Glenn Davis Stone
Office: McMillan 332
Office Hrs: T,W 2:30-4 stone at wustl.edu
935-5239

T.A. Jennifer Wistrand
Office Hrs: M 11-1, TBA
Office: McMillan 303

jswistra at artsci.wustl.edu

T.A. Mary Ann Vicari
Office Hrs: M 2:30-4, F 1:30-3
McMillan 328

mavicari at artsci.wustl.edu

Overview. This course explores key relationships between human culture and the physical environment, with the unifying theme of relationships among population, food production, and politics. We will discuss social, ecological, and political aspects of production systems from foraging to shifting cultivation to intensive cultivation, including questions of sustainability and how these systems are altered by state and industrial intervention. We will examine indigenous or "traditional" adaptations, with case studies drawn from West and East Africa, Brazilian Amazon, China, India, New Guinea, and the ancient American Southwest; we will also explore ecological and political aspects of industrialized food production and the ecology and economics of "ethical" food movements. Along the way we will deal with questions such as:

Does environment determine (or even shape) culture? Do cultures "evolve" as they switch from foraging to simple agriculture to intensive agriculture?
In what ways are cultural uses of the environment controlled by population density? Is rising population density the a primary cause of environmental destruction?
Was Malthus right -- is our rate of reproduction outstripping our ability to produce food? If not, why does this theory continue to be so influential? What practical effects have the theory had? In what ways is it a political theory as opposed to an ecological one?
What was the "Greap Leap Forward," and why did its changes to the social organization of production starve 30 million people?
What is the "Green Revolution"? If its chief architect won a Nobel Peace Prize, why is violence attributed to it? Has it helped or hurt agricultural sustainability?
How and why has food production become industrialized in this country? What roles have been played by science and capital? Who are the winners and losers in this fundamental change in food production?
What are genetically modified crops? What is the debate all about? Are they critical to the fight against world hunger? What are the larger issues?
What are rainforests, and why are they disappearing? What is "shash & burn" farming, and why do so many farmers practice it?
Is conflict over resources the exception or the rule among indigenous peoples? Has European expansion done more to suppress or cause indigenous conflict?
How does religion mediate human interaction with the environment? Can religious rituals act as regulators of humans and their key resources?
What is happening with world population today? If we are threatened by impending overpopulation, why are many scholars concerned about falling fertility rates?

Prerequisites. There are no prerequisites for the course. This course may be used as a prerequisite for the Political Ecology seminar (Anth 4282). The course goes particularly well with Prof. Childs' Population and Society.
Reading. We will read a selection of articles and book chapters, part of Ross's The Malthus Factor, and most of Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma and Becker's Hungry Ghosts. Most readings will be available on the web or Eres. Omnivore and Ghosts are available at the Mallinkrodt bookstore. There is no coursepack to buy. The reading load is moderate overall, but it is not uniform -- there are occasional peaks and troughs. Please look ahead and budget your time.
Grading and exams. Grades will be based on the following weighting:
Quizzes 5% (2 x 2.5%) Midterms 56% (2 * 28%) Final 39%

Quizzes emphasize the readings and they may include readings assigned for the day of the quiz. Quizzes will also include a short section on factoids (explained in the discussion on how to do well). The questions on lectures and readings are non-cumulative -- they only cover assignments since the last quiz/exam -- but the factois questions are cumulative. The 2 midterms are largely non-cumulative -- #1 covers material from the beginning of the course, and #2 covers mainly material since #1, but some basic ideas from before #1 may be needed. The final is cumulative. All three exams will contain a mixture of objective, short-answer, and short-essay questions; the final may contain a longer essay. Sample questions will be provided in on the web.

Course grades will be on a modified curve, typically with 25-35% A, 35-50% B. Approximate curves will be given after each test, but final grades are based on total weighted scores, not on letter grades, to avoid rounding errors.

No extra credit assignments will be accepted, but I am willing to read and evaluate practice answers prior to exams. Class participation is strongly encouraged (although it rarely affects your grade); if you have comments or questions, don't be shy about raising your hand!
Absences from exams will be excused for debilitating health problems or varsity athletic obligations. Requests for special treatment to accommodate flight schedules etc. will be cheerfully granted on he one condition that hell has frozen over.
The email record. Please remember that any arrangements regarding your fulfillment of course requirements must be recorded in email and must include acknowledgement from me. (For instance: "Dear Dr. Stone, when we spoke yesterday you agreed that because of my recent illness I could take a make-up midterm on Nov. 12. Please acknowledge this arrangement.") This avoids misunderstanding.
Course website. This website will be used to maintain the syllabus (which may be changed somewhat during the semester), to facilitate access to readings, and to post supplementary materials ranging from news articles to class discussion to grade distributions. Powerpoints and lecture notes will be available in a password-protected directory.


Prof. Glenn Davis Stone Office: McMillan 332 Office Hrs: T,W 2:30-4	stone at wustl.edu 935-5239
T.A. Jennifer Wistrand Office Hrs: M 11-1, TBA Office: McMillan 303	jswistra at artsci.wustl.edu
T.A. Mary Ann Vicari Office Hrs: M 2:30-4, F 1:30-3 McMillan 328	mavicari at artsci.wustl.edu

Overview. This course explores key relationships between human culture and the physical environment, with the unifying theme of relationships among population, food production, and politics. We will discuss social, ecological, and political aspects of production systems from foraging to shifting cultivation to intensive cultivation, including questions of sustainability and how these systems are altered by state and industrial intervention. We will examine indigenous or "traditional" adaptations, with case studies drawn from West and East Africa, Brazilian Amazon, China, India, New Guinea, and the ancient American Southwest; we will also explore ecological and political aspects of industrialized food production and the ecology and economics of "ethical" food movements. Along the way we will deal with questions such as: Does environment determine (or even shape) culture? Do cultures "evolve" as they switch from foraging to simple agriculture to intensive agriculture? In what ways are cultural uses of the environment controlled by population density? Is rising population density the a primary cause of environmental destruction? Was Malthus right -- is our rate of reproduction outstripping our ability to produce food? If not, why does this theory continue to be so influential? What practical effects have the theory had? In what ways is it a political theory as opposed to an ecological one? What was the "Greap Leap Forward," and why did its changes to the social organization of production starve 30 million people? What is the "Green Revolution"? If its chief architect won a Nobel Peace Prize, why is violence attributed to it? Has it helped or hurt agricultural sustainability? How and why has food production become industrialized in this country? What roles have been played by science and capital? Who are the winners and losers in this fundamental change in food production? What are genetically modified crops? What is the debate all about? Are they critical to the fight against world hunger? What are the larger issues? What are rainforests, and why are they disappearing? What is "shash & burn" farming, and why do so many farmers practice it? Is conflict over resources the exception or the rule among indigenous peoples? Has European expansion done more to suppress or cause indigenous conflict? How does religion mediate human interaction with the environment? Can religious rituals act as regulators of humans and their key resources? What is happening with world population today? If we are threatened by impending overpopulation, why are many scholars concerned about falling fertility rates? Prerequisites. There are no prerequisites for the course. This course may be used as a prerequisite for the Political Ecology seminar (Anth 4282). The course goes particularly well with Prof. Childs' Population and Society. Reading. We will read a selection of articles and book chapters, part of Ross's The Malthus Factor, and most of Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma and Becker's Hungry Ghosts. Most readings will be available on the web or Eres. Omnivore and Ghosts are available at the Mallinkrodt bookstore. There is no coursepack to buy. The reading load is moderate overall, but it is not uniform -- there are occasional peaks and troughs. Please look ahead and budget your time. Grading and exams. Grades will be based on the following weighting: Quizzes 5% (2 x 2.5%) Midterms 56% (2 * 28%) Final 39% Quizzes emphasize the readings and they may include readings assigned for the day of the quiz. Quizzes will also include a short section on factoids (explained in the discussion on how to do well). The questions on lectures and readings are non-cumulative -- they only cover assignments since the last quiz/exam -- but the factois questions are cumulative. The 2 midterms are largely non-cumulative -- #1 covers material from the beginning of the course, and #2 covers mainly material since #1, but some basic ideas from before #1 may be needed. The final is cumulative. All three exams will contain a mixture of objective, short-answer, and short-essay questions; the final may contain a longer essay. Sample questions will be provided in on the web. Course grades will be on a modified curve, typically with 25-35% A, 35-50% B. Approximate curves will be given after each test, but final grades are based on total weighted scores, not on letter grades, to avoid rounding errors. No extra credit assignments will be accepted, but I am willing to read and evaluate practice answers prior to exams. Class participation is strongly encouraged (although it rarely affects your grade); if you have comments or questions, don't be shy about raising your hand! Absences from exams will be excused for debilitating health problems or varsity athletic obligations. Requests for special treatment to accommodate flight schedules etc. will be cheerfully granted on he one condition that hell has frozen over. The email record. Please remember that any arrangements regarding your fulfillment of course requirements must be recorded in email and must include acknowledgement from me. (For instance: "Dear Dr. Stone, when we spoke yesterday you agreed that because of my recent illness I could take a make-up midterm on Nov. 12. Please acknowledge this arrangement.") This avoids misunderstanding. Course website. This website will be used to maintain the syllabus (which may be changed somewhat during the semester), to facilitate access to readings, and to post supplementary materials ranging from news articles to class discussion to grade distributions. Powerpoints and lecture notes will be available in a password-protected directory.