fandomhigh | Entries tagged with anthropology

the-ascended.livejournal.com

He's certainly spent a lot of time in his office this week, Daniel reflects. He's marking Molly's archaeology report. Maybe he'll get the other reports in early enough to mark them today?

Although that would require him to be productive. Possibly not.

His door is open.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Well, even though he now only has the one anthropology student left, Daniel's still in his office, just in case.

He's grading Kiki's paper, and only getting slightly distracted by his list of things to do.

Which is getting longer and longer.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's busy writing a letter to accept the offer for the summer.

He's here for any students who need help with their final pieces of work.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel spends the first ten minutes of the class talking through several passages that he's selected from Dancing Skeletons by Katherine Dettwyler ~~which would have been shared had the mun not had to prepare for company all day instead of typing up omg~~ and encourages them to *handwavily* speak up.

Then he dismisses them to go and work on their projects.

[[ooc: Sorry for the lateness. Blame aforementioned company. But yay dinner out!]]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's a bit sniffly today. Apparently he caught a cold over the weekend. Wonder how that happened?

"Good afternoon, guys," he says, sipping on a hot drink that - shock horror - isn't coffee! "Instead of a final exam, which was what I had been planning on giving you, I want to give you a project instead.

"Now, you remember talking about ethnographers, and how they undertake research? That's what I want to you to do, but instead of going and living in a tribe, or something, I'd like you to give me an ethnographic report on Fandom High. Lots of us have said that this is a unique place. I'd like for you to look under the layers and see why that is."

He pushes across a small booklet of methods. "That's just some ideas you can use. You'll need to do some fieldwork, so you can have class time to start it today, although I'd advise staying in here and asking me questions and planning your work. This will be due in a week on Friday; May 5th, so given the short period of time you've got, it doesn't have to be all inclusive. You can pick one aspect of the school that interests you and do it in some depth. Or, you may do a wider idea. It's up to you.

"On Wednesday, you can have most of the lesson, but I'd like for you to come here at the start so I can show you samples from an ethnography, providing ~~the mun~~ I can find out the book.

"Now. Questions? Comments?"

To finish off, he sneezes.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is looking a bit overtired today, as he cradles his coffee protectively.

"Okay, non-kinship based social groups. We have age grades and age sets, gender based groups and groups based on common interests. Can you think why these form, and give me any examples?"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Okay, guys. The Indian Caste system. Talk to me."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Okay, let's talk about aquiring statuses. The way in which get our statuses can vary significantly in detail from culture to culture. In all societies, however, they are either achieved or ascribed. Achieved statuses are ones that are acquired by doing something. In contrast, ascribed statuses are the result of being born into a particular family or being born male or female.

What examples can you think of for achieved and ascribed statuses?

Some cultures choose to emphasize the importance of one or the other. In North America today, achieved statuses outside of the family are reinforced while ascribed ones are generally rejected. Why is that do you think?

In India, ascribed, rather than achieved, social status has been strongly reinforced for more than 3,000 years and permeates most areas of life even today. At the heart of Indian ascription system are castes, or varnas. These are carefully ranked, rigidly hereditary social divisions of society.

For homework, I'd like for you to research the Indian caste system for next lesson, please. Considering there's only two of you, if you want to work together, or split the work, that's fine and something you can talk about between yourself. After we've discussed achieved and ascribed statuses!"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Good afternoon," Daniel smiled, moving a sheaf of papers to one side of his desk. "We're talking status and roles today.

"In all of the many social groups that we as individuals belong to, we have a status and a role to fulfill. Status is our relative social position within a group, while a role is the part our society expects us to play in a given status. For example, a man may have the status of father in his family. Because of this status, he is expected to fulfill a role for his children that in most societies requires him to nurture, educate, guide, and protect them. Of course, mothers have complementary roles.

"Social group membership gives us a set of statuses and role tags that allow people to know what to expect from each other - they make us more predictable. It is common for people to have multiple overlapping statuses and roles. This potentially makes social encounters more complex. A woman who is a mother for some children may be an aunt or grandmother for others. At the same time, she may be a wife for one or more men, and she very likely is a daughter and granddaughter of several other people. For each of these various kinship statuses, she is expected to play a somewhat different role and to be able to switch between them instantaneously. For instance, if she is having a conversation with her mother and young daughter, she is likely to politely defer to the former but will be knowledgeable and "in-control" with the other. These role related behaviors change as rapidly as she turns her head to face one or the other. However, her unique personal relationships might lead her to think and act differently than what would be culturally expected. In other words, social group membership gives us a set of role tags that allow people to know what to expect from each other, but they are not always straight jackets for behavior.

"Today, I'd like for us to discuss statuses and roles here in Fandom. What statuses and roles do we have here? How do you feel the roles are fulfilled? How does it affect social encounters?"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Okay, the fuctions of social groups and institutions," Daniel began, offering coffee to his students, before sitting down with his own cup.

"In studying any society, we can observe various social groups and institutions, each with its specific functions. It doesn't matter whether the institutions are related to business, religion, the legal system, or families. They all have functions. For instance, the primary function of a legal system is likely to be the maintenance of the social order in society. he functions of different institutions may overlap and are likely to be interrelated in complex ways.

However, complicating our understanding of them is the fact that any institution is likely to have multiple functions, some of which are more obvious than others. In trying to discover and understand them, it is useful to think of some of the functions as being manifest and others latent. Manifest functions are those that are obvious and easily discovered even by strangers. In contrast, latent functions are those that are less apparent and more difficult to uncover. If you ask people what the functions of their institutions are, most will describe the manifest ones. They may not have even thought of the latent ones. However, to get a full understanding of a society and its culture, it is essential to comprehend the latent functions as well. In order to discover them, it is often necessary to observe their effects because people are often unaware of them.

Let's take, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, for example. It's manifest function is to make it easier and quicker to get from one side to the other. Prior to its construction in the 1930's, people had to take a ferry.

Any idea what some of the latent functions could be?"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"We're going to start looking at social organizations. Let me talk for a few minutes, and then we can discuss some of the points raised and how they relate to you.

( Social organization introduction )

"Okay, potential discussion points. Social ostracism; can you think of any examples? For me, it involves the social organization of academia and I was essentially ostracised for unpopular academic theories ~~involving aliens~~. What about substitutes? Have you ever had to seek any in place in human contact? Where do you think you'd go if you did? I have books. Lots of books. And my girlfriend's told me off for that..." Daniel trailed off and blushed slightly.

A cough. "Okay, social groups. We're all part of Fandom High and of the greater community of Fandom Island. You're both part of your families; my family is more by adoption by blood. Any other groups you belong to, or have belonged to, or plan to belong to later in life? What functions do they serve? How do they adjust behavior? How does group identity work?"

He looked at his two students. "Let's discuss."

[[ooc: Sorry about this being so late - dad's birthday. Any spelling mistakes or just general mistakes, blame on the two and half glasses of Rose and the glass and a half of champagne! *g*]]

Current Location: Daniel's office

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Anthropologists learn about the culture of another society through fieldwork and first hand observation in that society. This kind of research is called ethnography. Today, I want to talk about different methods that ethnographers use to learn about different cultures.

There's participant observation, which ethnographers and anthropologists believe is the best way to get to know a society and its culture is to live in it and participate in it rather than simply observe. Having done it myself for a year, I was able to integrate myself into this society and I only wish that I could have spent more time there." Daniel's face clouded slightly and he looked slightly troubled.

"There's also ideal and believed behavior. deal behavior is what we think we should be doing and what we want others to believe we are doing. Actual behavior is what is really going on. Believed behavior is what we honestly think we are doing. In reality, our actions are often different from what we believe them to be at that time. For example, many North American husbands assume that they do roughly half of the work of cleaning and maintaining their home. Their wives would probably dispute that assertion. Does this mean that the husbands are not telling the truth? No, it usually means that their perception of what they are doing may not be realistic in this case. What other examples can you guys think of?

In most ethnographic fieldwork, only a portion of the host society is actually studied intensively. Due to the practical impossibility of observing and talking at length with everyone, only a sample of a community is selected. There can be a probability sampling, a random sample, a stratified sample or a judgement sample, which is what most ethnographers rely on. Why do you think that? What are the difference between these sample methods?

Ethnographers can collect reliable data and develop a realistic understanding of the cultural patterns in another society through a combination of five things:

1. Proper mental preparation (including adopting the cultural relativity perspective)
2. Participant-observation
3. Language competence
4. Long-term residence
5. Luck in being at the right place at the right time."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

There's coffee brewing, or bottles of water on the desk. Daniel smiles at them with his own coffee, and waves his hand towards them. "Help yourself," he said.

"Today, what we're going to be discussing ties in with the point from last lesson that people usually are not aware of their culture.

Ethnocentrism.

What is it? Is it just something that affects anthropologists? Is it something that you yourself have experienced or encountered? Can you think of any examples of it you've seen in Fandom?"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"There are several characteristics of culture. In order to better understand culture, it is useful to closely examine its characteristics and their ramifications," Daniel began as his two students sat down.

"I've listed a few of them, and we're going to examine them."

He hands them each a sheet, on which is typed:

"1. Culture is an adaptive mechanism.
2. Culture is learned.
3. Culture is cumulative.
4. Cultures change.
5. People are not usually aware of their culture.
6. We do not know all of our own culture.
7. Culture gives us a range of permissible behavior patterns.
8. Cultures no longer exist in isolation."

"Take point 5, as an example. The way that we interact and do things in our everyday lives seems "natural" to us. We are unaware of our culture because we are so close to it and know it so well. For most people, it is as if their learned behavior was biologically inherited. It is usually only when they come into contact with people from another culture that they become aware that their patterns of behavior are not universal.

The common response in all societies to other cultures is to judge them in terms of the values and customs of their own familiar culture. This is ethnocentrism. Being fond of your own way of life and condescending or even hostile toward other cultures is normal for all people. Alien culture traits are often viewed as being not just different but inferior, less sensible, and even "unnatural." For example, European cultures strongly condemn other societies that practice polygamy and the eating of dogs--practices that Europeans generally consider to be immoral and offensive. Likewise, conservative Moslem societies, such as Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, consider European women highly immodest and immoral for going out in public without being chaperoned by a male relative and without their bodies covered from head to toe so as to prevent men from looking at them."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's office is, well, let's face it, a mess. He's pouring over some document or something at his desk, whilst waiting for his two students to turn up.

"T.S. Eliot wrote "Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living." Daniel began. "Why do you think he said that? Human culture is the discussion topic of the day. Shall we try and define it first?"

"Your midterm essays are also due today, so just..." Daniel frowned slightly as he looked down at his desk. "Hand them to me, I think, would be best!"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Well, we've slightly decreased in class size," Daniel grins as his two remaining students. "Considering this, I'd like to move the class to my office instead.

We're going to be looking at cultural anthropology for the remainder of the semester and with there being only two of you, this is going to be discussion based mostly.

Today. What is cultural anthropology? What do you think it involves? What are some of the subdivisions of it? We're just going to discuss it."

[[ooc: No OCD threads *rebels*]]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"First, homework from last lesson on genetic diseases, in on my desk, please."

"Second, I want to talk about your midterm. I'm going to be setting you an essay question on evolution and adaption."

Written on the board is: Give several examples of the way in which primate characteristics have changed over time in response to selective pressures. Which characters are easy to explain with reference to function?

"You have until Monday, March 20th to hand it in," Daniel continues. "This will be accounting for thirty-five percent of your total grade. I'm not going to set either a maxiumum or minimum word limit, but I'd suggest that it's at least 1,500 words." [[ooc: omg you totally don't have to write this!]]

"Now. Moving on to human biological adaptability.

The human body readily responds to changing environmental stresses in a variety of biological and cultural ways. We can acclimatize to a wide range of temperature and humidity. When traveling to high altitudes, our bodies adjust so that our cells still receive sufficient oxygen. We also are constantly responding in physiological ways to internal and external stresses such as bacterial and viral infections, smog, dietary imbalance, and overcrowding.

This ability to rapidly adapt to varying environmental conditions has made it possible for us to survive in most regions of the world. We live successfully in humid tropical forests, harsh deserts, arctic wastelands, and even densely populated cities with heavy pollution. Most other animal and plant species are restricted to one or relatively few environments by their more limited adaptability.

Humans normally respond to environmental stresses in four ways:

1. genetic change
2. developmental adjustment
3. acclimatization
4. cultural practices and technology

The first three are biological responses. The last three occur during our lifetime without further genetic change.

I want to discuss what each of these responses involve, and also, how our body has adapted, or could adapt to specific stresses.

Thank you, and have a great break."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is looking a bit tired this morning. It doesn't look like he slept well this weekend.

"First thing first, I'm afraid, is a test on the genetics words I set you last lesson."

He pulled down the whiteboard to reveal the list:

Recessive
Alleles
F1 generation
Phenotype
Sex-linked.
Law of segregation
Trait

"Right, with that finished with, we're going to be looking at heredity.

Researchers have identified over 13,000 genetically inherited human traits. More than 5,000 of them are diseases or other abnormalities.

We're going to be looking at eye-color. However, keep it in mind that this is simplified. We're looking at it as a two-gene system, when it's actually a complicated polygenic system. I want you to look this handout

To get a better idea of how it all works, we're going to be using this Eye Color Calculator. Now, as I fill it in: I have blue eyes, and so did both of my parents. Now, um, my, um mate has brown eyes and her parents had brown and green eyes. So, I've filled that in, click calculate, and there we have it. There's a fifty-percent chance of the baby having brown eyes, a 20.8% of blue and a 29.1% chance of green eyes."

Daniel was clearly lost in thought for a moment before snapping out of it. "Okay, try it for yourself, using your parent's, or your own eye-color or what ever you like. You can also change the allele frequency, so see how that affects the percentage."

"Okay, for homework, I'd like for you to look at genetic diseases. There can be:

Autosomal recessive
Autosomal dominant
X-linked recessive
X-linked dominant.

I'd like for you to explain what each of them are, and to also give me an example for each. Thank you and I'll see you next lesson."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's looking very pleased with himself today. ~~Unless he screws up in the slow play later. But I'm sure he won't~~

"First off, well done to Han for the interesting presentation yesterday," he said. "Did you enjoy it, Blair?"

"Now. We're moving away from evolution, and onto genetics and inheritance.

Theories of heredity are attributed to Gregor Mendel.

While Mendel's research was with plants, the basic underlying principles of heredity that he discovered also apply to people and other animals because the mechanisms of heredity are essentially the same for all complex life forms.

Through the selective cross-breeding of common pea plants (Pisum sativum) over many generations, Mendel discovered that certain traits show up in offspring without any blending of parent characteristics. For instance, the pea flowers are either purple or white--intermediate colors do not appear in the offspring of cross-pollinated pea plants. Mendel observed seven traits that are easily recognized and apparently only occur in one of two forms:

1. flower color is purple or white
2. flower position is axil or terminal
3. stem length is long or short
4. seed shape is round or wrinkled
5. seed color is yellow or green
6. pod shape is inflated or constricted
7. pod color is yellow or green

This observation that these traits do not show up in offspring plants with intermediate forms was critically important because the leading theory in biology at the time was that inherited traits blend from generation to generation.

Since Mendel's time, our knowledge of the mechanisms of genetic inheritance has grown immensely. For instance, it is now understood that inheriting one allele can, at times, increase the chance of inheriting another or can affect how and when a trait is expressed in an individual's phenotype. Likewise, there are degrees of dominance and recessiveness with some traits.

We'll be working on examples in the next lesson, but for now... any questions? What do you think you've inherited from your parents?

For homework, I want you to learn these two lists of genetic vocabulary. I'll be testing you on a few of them at the start of the lesson on Monday. That's all, thank you guys."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

[[Can be found here.]]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is looking slightly tired today. He's distractedly running his hand along the cast on his wrist

"Today, we're talking Neandertals. They were the most well-known late archaic Homo sapiens.

What do we know about them?"

At the end of the class, he smiled. "Homework from last week on my desk, please. Homework tonight, is just to continue with your reading about the evolution of modern humans, ready for Thursday's lesson."

[[ooc: So lacking time here. Sorry about that]]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed today. Who knows why? ~~I certainly don't~~

"We're getting further through our evolutionary timeline of man. I'm going to be talking about early transitional humans now.

Humans are members of the genus Homo. Modern people, on Earth, that is, are Homo sapiens, something I really hope you all knew already.

Now, in the past, it was incorrectly assumed that human evolution was a relatively straight forward sequence of one species evolving into another. We now understand that there were times when several species of humans and even other hominids were alive.

( Early humans )

"Okay, any questions about Homo habilis, before we move swiftly on to Homo erectus?"

( Homo erectus )

"And thus ends my lectures today. Monday's homework, on my desk, please. And if you didn't hand in the homework from last week, I'd like that as well, please. Homework tonight, please, is on the anatomy of Homo erectus. And next week, we'll ~~finally~~ be looking at the evolution of modern humans. Have a safe weekend."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel looks slightly messy today.

This could have something to do with the cast he's sporting on his left wrist.

"Good afternoon. I won't dare enquire as to how your weekend went, and instead, we're going straight into today's lesson on early hominids.

I'm afraid it's going to be another case of me lecturing, and you questioning if you need to.

( Blah, blah, blah )

Daniel paused and looked around. "Any questions?

Homework from last lesson on the semi-orders of primates to go on my desk please. If you've not done it, considering the events of the weekend, you can have until Wednesday to hand it in.

But you also get homework tonight. I just want a the characteristics of Australopithecus, please."

( OOC Note )

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's actually at the front of the class today. He's sitting at his desk, head down, but still! He's in the room.

"Sorry for missing Monday's class. In light of this, I'm having to rethink the syllabus. It's also going to mean that you'll need to do a bit more work independantly, although I will be around in office hours if you need me.

Okay. First up... we've got fifteen minutes to discuss the work you did last week on Charles Darwin and his theory of natural selection.

Next, primates."

Daniel got up, slightly unsteadily and pulled down the board. On it, was written:

Primates (general overview)

Location: live in tropical and semi-tropical environments, in forests
Body size: moderate size compared to other mammals (e.g., rodents - whales)
Locomotion: arboreal quadrupedalism / terrestrial quadrupedalism / vertical clinging and leaping (VCL) / forelimb suspension and brachiation / bipedalism
Diet: insects / fruit / leaves (some meat - chimps)
Social structure: mainly gregarious / social, but some are solitary (e.g., Aye Aye)
Activity timing: mostly diurnal and social, some nocturnal and solitary (e.g., some Malagasy lemurs)

"Now, I understand that there are a lot of odd words and things that you might not understand there, so now is the time to ask questions.

Homework... there was homework from the 16th, on major physical anthropologists, so if you could hand that in it would be great.

Today, I'd like you to look at the semi-orders of primates. Jack and Kiki, I want you to look at the characteristics of Strepsirhine and Blair and Han, the characteristics of Haplorhini. I want the basic characteristics like the ones listed on the board, but also, they both have other primitive or derived characterists, which help identify which semi-order they belong too. In for next lesson, please."

Current Mood: sick

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel really isn't looking his best today. He's coughing and sneezing and spluttering and pretty much looks like crap.

He really wishes that today could have been a holiday.

"Okay," he coughs. "Today I want to talk about some major names in physical anthropology."

He turns and writes on the board:

1. The Leakey Family
2. Franz Boaz
3. Pierre Paul Broca

"Now, obviously I'm not in any state to do much talking today, so it's up to you guys. From your reading ~~even thought I've not given you a book list in character zomg~~, what can you tell me about any of these people. Why are we looking at them? What did they do that makes them part of our lesson?"

After another coughing fit towards the end of the class, he holds up his hand. "I'm going to set homework tonight. Choose any of these guys, and give me a hundred or so words on them. Pretty much what we've been talking about here. In for the next lesson, please."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Today, we're going to be talking about the four subdivisions of anthropology. As there are four of you, this works out nicely," Daniel smiled at the class.

"The four subdivisions are: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology and linguistics. Each of you in turn, pick one and discuss what you think it means or entails. I'll be here to give you hints if need be. [[ooc: For a bit, then I'm to bed and I'll pick up dangling threads tomorrow morning]]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel smiles at his small class. "Welcome to Anthropology. I'm Dr. Jackson.

Today, I just wanted to talk to you about what this class is going to entail, and also, have you introduce yourselves and discuss why you took this class.

The first thing is that I will be expecting interaction. As there's only four of you, that means you might have to do more work... so you could try and persuade your friends to add this," he grins.

"We'll start by looking at what is anthropology, and what it's subdisciples are this week. Next week, we'll be starting with physical, or, as it is sometimes called, biological anthropology. Next lesson, I'll have a handout for you with a run down of the class syllabus, and a suggestion of books. Oh, and I also need a TA, so if anyone's interested in the job, just come see me after class and we'll talk.

But today, I just want to get to know you. So, I'll start, then we'll go clockwise around the room. Tell me why you've decided to take this class and something else about yourself, and then we'll go around again, and I want you to tell me what you think anthropology is

I'm Daniel Jackson, I'm the teacher and I like coffee. I'm not going to say what I think anthropology is, because I know. As a hint, I'm going to tell you that it comes from the Greek. Let's go, guys."

( OOC Stuff )

the-ascended.livejournal.com

This is the second part of their finals ~~even though the player was unable to grab internet access before now to post the first part on Friday~~, and when the classes enter, the same spread out desks with the same format of question paper and answer booklet await them.

The questions are ~~horribly difficult~~ not that hard.

As long as you've been listening all semester that is.

[ooc: I'm so sorry for not posting on Friday (or even Saturday morning when it would have been Friday somewhere. Lots of good reasons. Promise.

Could you please tell me the grades you got for the semester? Daniel's working on a 40%/40%/20% ratio for midterm/final/class and homework. You don't need to do that (although if I'd have had more internet access/computer time, then I would *g* Thank you!]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

It looks like Daniel is actually doing some work.

But if you looked closely, you'd see he's actually doing the New York Times crossword.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

"Good morning, guys," Daniel says, with a smile, before looking serious. "Just to get it out of the way... Chihaya, Death and Susan Ivanova all have detention tomorrow for missing three classes. People, if you miss a class, notes are good, and come to see me to get make-up work.

Right, today we're going to start looking at famous anthropologists. Now, who knows anything about the Leakey Family?

Okay, homework from Wednesday on my desk. For this weekend, I want a timeline of the Leakeys and also, a hundred words on the Leakey Foundation. That's for Monday. Have a great weekend."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is looking very happy this morning, although students might notice when he moves, he's pretty stiff.

"Morning class. I hope you all had a great weekend," he says, grinning. "Today, I want to discuss migration.

Human migration has taken place at all times and in the greatest variety of circumstances. It has been tribal, national, class and individual. Its causes have been climatic, political, economic, religious, or mere love of adventure. Its causes and results are fundamental for the study of ethnology, of political and social history, and of political economy.

In its natural origins, it includes the separate migrations first of Homo erectus then of Homo sapiens {Homo sapiens sapiens) out of Africa across Eurasia, doubtless using some of the same available land routes north of the Himalayas that were later to become the Silk Road, and across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Now, class discussion. How do you think migration has affected population genetics?

For homework, I want at least a hundred words on migration and genetic markers for Wednesday. Thank you, guys; have a great day."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is looking tanned, and he smiles easily at his class as they file in.

"Good morning. Thank you for those of you who handed in your projects... I'll be handing out grades next week I expect. Those who didn't... Samuel Anders, Chihaya, Harry Potter and Willow Rosenberg all have detention on Saturday. If I don't get your projects in by Wednesday, then you'll be in detention again next Saturday, which I'm sure you really won't want.

Now, I hope that you all had a good Thanksgiving? All of you who celebrate it, that is.

Today, we're looking at population genetics. This the study of the distribution of and change in allele frequencies under the influence of the five evolutionary forces: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, migration and nonrandom mating. It also takes account of population subdivision and population structure in space. As such, it attempts to explain such phenomena as adaptation and speciation. Population genetics was a vital ingredient in the modern evolutionary synthesis, its primary founders were Sewall Wright, J. B. S. Haldane and Ronald Fisher, who also laid the foundations for the related discipline of quantitative genetics.

We're going to take several lessons with this, so I can make sure you all know what we're talking about. I trust you all know what an allele is? Raise your hand if you're not exactly sure - please, don't be embarrassed.

First... the five evolutionary forces. Natural selection is the process by which variants displaying favorable or deleterious traits end up producing more or fewer progeny relative to other individuals of the same population.

Who can tell me more about it?"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

At the front of the classroom, Daniel is sitting, well wrapped up and his hands clutching a mug of something.

On the board behind him is written:

"No classes today as I've lost my voice. Hand in your projects/essays and you may go after you tell me what one thing you're most thankful for this year.

For me, it's having a second chance at something I'd thought I'd lost.

Remember - if you DO NOT hand your midterm in, it's detention."

Current Mood: sick

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is in his classroom at the times of these classes. He's reading a big thick, heavy book. It looks boring, but as far as Daniel's concerned, it's as good as the latest ~~Harry Potter~~ bestseller.

Lists are available for his classes to sign in on.

[ooc: Mun is having laptop problems, and won't be able to guarentee when she'll be on for... actually, she doesn't know how long. Clearly it was fate that he set midterm work for this week...]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is smiling as he looks down at a photograph, before tucking it in the back of his notebook ~~which he has not doodled on. It's serious work in it, damnit~~

"Good morning, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. I'm sorry I missed it; I had the chance to go and see an old friend whilst she was in the country again. If anyone wanted me to talk to their parents, let me know, and I'll write a letter home or something." Daniel grins as he looks around the class, clearly not expecting anyone to take him up on the offer.

"Today is our penultimate lesson on marriage. On Wednesday, I'm going to be discussing examples ~~as long as the mun can find her notes and/or textbook~~

But for now, we're going to look at exchange and marriage.

Marriage often includes an exchange of wealth, symbolizing the binding contract between individuals and kin groups.

Bridewealth (bride price)
o Payment given upon marriage by the family of the groom to the family of the bride
o The exchange legitimates the marriage
o The value of the wealth transacted puts bride and groom under pressure to make marriage a success
o The exchange may ensure fair treatment of the wife when she moves in with husband's kin
o Mechanism for relatively equitable distribution of goods within a society

Bride service
o Requirement that men work for the bride's family for a period
o Time involved may be several weeks to several years

Dowry
o Transfer of goods or money from bride's family to groom or groom's family
o A strategy parents may use to marry daughter into higher status family
o Sometimes features a political element, building alliances
o The exchange legitimates the union
o The transaction again puts pressure on bride and groom to make marriage a success

Exchange of women
o Men may exchange classificatory sisters or daughters as wives
o Senior men may arrange such unions for their sons and younger brothers
o Sometimes features childhood arrangements (child betrothal)

Okay... anyone want to guess what homework is?" He grins. "I would like another example from a culture about one of these exchanges. And if we can try and choose different cultures to the ones from last week, I'd very much appreciate it."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's still very happy, still doodling in his notebook.

"Following on from our types of marriage union, we're now looking at mate selection and marriage rules.

Marriage arrangements depend on observance of one of two rules:

Rule of exogamy (marry out)
o Requires marriage outside of a prescribed social group
o Not necessarily founded on genealogical proximity

Rule of endogamy (marry in)
o Requires marriage inside of a prescribed social group
o More usual in complex societies

Arranged marriages
o In many societies marriage is considered a union of two kin groups and not only two individuals
o Family has vested interests in marriage and kin (e.g. parents) of bride and groom arrange union
o Arrangements made before young persons control resources, sometimes while they are children (child betrothal)

Preferential cousin marriage
o Some societies specify a preference that certain categories of kin marry
o A common preference is for cousins to marry
o In lineage systems cousins are not all members of the same descent group
 cross cousins will be members of different lineages
 parallel cousins may be members of the same lineage
o Cross cousin marriage strengthens ties between kin groups established by previous marriages
o Parallel cousin marriage is less common (it prevents the fragmentation of family property)

Widow/widower remarriage
o Levirate requires a widow to marry the brother or other close relative of her dead husband
oSororate requires a widower to marry the sister or other close relative of his dead wife

Okay, homework is pretty much the same as last lesson... an example of one of these difering rules and selection from a culture not of your own.

And whilst I'm reminding my other classes, I'm operating a three strikes rule before I put you in detention. Have a good weekend, guys. I look forward to meeting your parents, guardians and others."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel's in a good mood, doodling on a notebook at the front of the class. ~~He is not writing "I love Janet" or "Dr Daniel and Dr Janet Jackson". Really~~

"Today, our subject should hopefully be less frightening to most of you," he grins. "Marriage.

Marriage is a socially approved union of a man and woman regulating their sexual and economic rights and obligations

It's a sexual union:
- marriage socially legitimates sexual relations
- it regulates sexual behaviour and reproduction

and has economic obligations: marriage structures the sexual division of labour.

There are three types of marriage union.

MONOGAMY
This is marriage to one spouse at a time, and is the most common in Western civilization. Extramarital affairs or serial monogamy may occur, but these tend not to be sanctioned.

POLYGYNY
When it's the marriage of one man to two or more women. 70 percent of the world's population practice it; why do you think that is? Anyone?

It's a preferred type of marriage, although the majority of men in polygynous societies have only one wife.

Now, why does it happen? The economic status of women is high in polygynous societies, they are assets to domestic production unit. The sex ratio in polygynous societies; there are fewer marriageable men because men commonly marry later than women, and also because there may be of higher mortality among men, for example, due to warfare.

What are the advantages of polygyny? It's a symbol of prestige for men & their families, and multiple affinal connections are economic & political assets.

However, thee is competition and/or jealousy among wives. Women may have their own separate homes, and the rights and obligations of co-wives are clearly defined. A form hierarchy may exist among co-wives (senior v. junior). Some have found that sororal polygyny, which is the marriage of sisters, may reduce problems.

POLYANDRY
This is the marriage of one women to two or more men. It is the least common form of marriage, and women usually marry group of brothers - even the ones not yet born. Polyandry may serve to keep assets, for example, land, within the family, by not having to split the land further into smaller plots.

Okay, homework for this class. Chose a culture, and write about the type of marriage it involves. Not your own, however. The idea of this class is that we're looking at different cultures."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

*Daniel is sitting at his desk, looking pretty relaxed, skimming over some long and complicated paper as the students file in*

"I'm having to apologize again for my absence," he grins sheepishly. ~~Damn power cable~~ "However, I hope that any more trips I have to make in the future will at least let me give you some warning, and hopefully line up a substitute."

"Right. Today I'd like to follow up on some of the harsh consequences on extreme gender ideology. Now, I understand that these are not pleasant topics, and if you feel that you can't deal with them, then by all means, you are excused from class today.

The first thing is Female Genital Mutliation.

I also touched upon China's One Child Policy, so we'll look at that in more detail.

But, the Western World, also discriminates against girls still... admittedly, not to the extent of the two examples I've just given you. In careers, there is a great divide in tech-related ones between male and female workers. However, there are programs in place to try and reduce that divide, such as the Connecticut Girls and Technology Network

Now, for homework, I'd like you to look for and write about an example of gender discrimination and/or the consequences of extreme gender ideology. For those of you not from this time, I'm perfectly happy to accept studies from your own home.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

A note is on the classroom door.

"Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have to head to Colorado Springs for a couple of days, so classes are cancelled. I expect all of you to have done your reading by Monday/Tuesday. D. Jackson."

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Daniel is sitting at the front of the classroom, coffee in hand, looking slightly rumpled and as though he hasn't slept all night. He's got some interesting colored bruises on his face; most appear to be nearly faded, although there's one newer looking one across his eye.

"Good, ah, morning class. I'm sorry for the gap in classes... I, uh... had to go out of town unexpectedly.

"Today we're going to be looking at the Ideology and Differentiation of Gender Issues.

We have been unable to determine the relative contributions of culture and biology to differences observed in female and male behavior.

There is little agreement on the extent to which biology is responsible for differences. Sexual differentiation exists to some extent in all societies.

Looking at the idea of universal male dominance, also known as chauvinism, is to oversimplyfy. Sexual asymmetry is often evident in language. We find most egalitarian relations in hunting-and-gathering societies. All societies make distinctions between women's and men's roles, and different cultures define gender roles in different ways.

Some gender roles are rigidly defined, whilst others overlap. Not all culture limit humans to two genders - does anyone know any cultures where transvestism is accepted?

Cultural values legitimate sex roles, status, and behavior and comprise a gender ideology. But what problems lead from this?

I'd like you to discuss this and other gender issues pertaining back to either your own culture, or another one of your chosing. Please try to do it as objectively as possible, without ethnocentrism.

Homework is to write up how different cultures deal with genders.

I'll be coming around to help as necessary"

the-ascended.livejournal.com

[ooc: Really freaking busy week so I'm going to cancel class until Monday the 10th]

*Daniel places a sign on the door with the note CLASS CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS. ~~NOT AN STD, YOU SICK WEIRDOS~~*

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Intro to Anthropology:

Everyone's attendance got pushed back to zero, same with homework. Now that I've changed the system to consecutive absences and missed homework, if you are missing homework and then hand in homework next class, it will go back to zero. So the only people getting penalized are those people who never show up.

Anyway, today I want you to pair up with someone. You see, we're going to have a test on everything we covered so far on Monday. So pair up with someone and there's a list of terms and ideas that you should know. Go through each thing with your partner and hand in the completed sheet, which will count for homework.

-----

Egyptian Archaeology:

Everyone's attendance got pushed back to zero, same with homework. Now that I've changed the system to consecutive absences and missed homework, if you are missing homework and then hand in homework next class, it will go back to zero. So the only people getting penalized are those people who never show up.

Today we are going to look at sarcophagi. Aren't they pretty? For homework please read the chapter on sarcophagi and answer the questions. Hand them into me by Monday.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Greco-Roman Archaeology:

I reset attendance and homework. From now on, it's going to be consecutive misses instead of cumulative to get you into detention. So three consecutive misses and four consecutive days without handing in homework = detention.

Today we're going to watch a video on temples. Please try to stay awake.

Homework: A summary of the video would be nice.[ooc: Just...yeah, no need to actually write a summary]

-----

Linguistics:

I reset attendance and homework. From now on, it's going to be consecutive misses instead of cumulative to get you into detention. So three consecutive misses and four consecutive days without handing in homework = detention.

And today we're working on more of that crazy Herodotus' Histories. I hope you are all enjoying it so far. We're jumping around like crazy, so that we can read a translation of The Aeneid and I'm trying to look for a piece that's in Egyptian for the last third of class.

Homework: Continue analyzing, this time reading pages 50-80 for Monday.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

That would be Greco-Roman & Linguistics.

Now that the room is clean, I'm going to use this class as an open lab. Come to me with any problems or questions you have. I will resume class tomorrow and Thursday for sure.

[OOC: Mun finished papers! But mun also has 95 pages of Earthsea to read in the next 30 minutes. So mun is going to pick up classes tomorrow]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Classes are cancelled! We shall pick up where we left off on Tuesday & Wednesday.

[OOC: 2 PAPERS DUE AAAAAH *runs screaming through the halls*]

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Introduction to Anthropology:

ATTN:

prue_h and

studentwillow
( People who missed class )
Note: Neither of you made up your classes, so unfortunately you will have to sit through detention. Willow, I know you handed in your homework, but you didn't make up your class, and I have to keep my rules up. But after detention, both of you will start with zero absences again.

ATTN:

prue_h
( Missing Homework )
Note: Prue, you are not only missing classes, you haven't been handing in your homework either. Now, if you are sitting through this detention, I won't give you another detention for not handing in their homework. I will just have the detention count for both things and you'll go back to zero. But please let me know if you're still alive and able to come to class soon.

That done, let's get to business. I think you all really liked the sex lesson. I don't blame you! But now we must move on, sadly, to bigger and not-so-better things. Like, language. This includes both vocal and body language. This ties in with my linguistics course, but how does language and culture mesh? For this, we're going to listen to different languages and compare them with the cultures that they're from.

Homework: Do your reading and hand in the questions at the end of the chapter (Chapter 3). (OOC: Obviously you just need to write *hands in homework* for this one, since I ain't givin' you no questions :P)

-----

Egyptian Archaeology:

ATTN:

missromana
( People who missed class )
Note: You need to make up class ASAP. If you do not, I will be forced to give you detention next week.

( Missing Homework )

So, guess what we're doing today? Nope, no grave goods! We're looking at some pyramids and the chambers inside him. ~~Isn't this just fun?~~

Homework: Design your own pyramid, complete with different chambers ~~of funness~~. Nothing too complex, just a few rooms.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Greek and Roman Archaeology:

( People who missed class )

( Missing Homework )

Last time we looked at the Villanovan period of Rome. Now, we're looking at some Grecian stuff. Let's look at some temples and talk about the religion associated with them. *turns off lights and puts up slides*

Homweork: Write me a small paragraph about the Parthenon's archaeological significance. What was it made for? What mythological scenes appear on the friezes and metopes? And don't forget to hand in any missing assignments.

-----

Linguistics:

( People who missed class )

( Missing Homework )

the-ascended.livejournal.com

[OOC: I adjusted the roster so if your name appears and shouldn't, tell me. Also, if your name doesn't appear and should be on one or more list, also tell me. I'll shift things accordingly.]

Introduction to Anthropology:

Attn:

prue_h and

studentwillow:
( People who missed Class )

( Missing Homework )

Your family homeworks were...interesting. I have to say, you are cetainly an interesting bunch to teach. Well, today we're talking about something that's similar to family...sex. You see, sex leads to family, so it seems kind of fitting.

Every society has some different view of sexual relations. Some people find their sexual partner without looking for love, other look for love first, then sex. So, today we're going to look at an article that has to deal with the different views of sex.

Homework: Similar to the family assignment. I would like at least one paragraph describing your outlook on sexual relations and the view as seen through the eyes of your people where you come from. In other words, what do you think of sex and what does everyone else think of it?

-----

Egyptian Archaeology:

ATTN:

darkchylde_
( People who missed class )

( Missing Homework )

*hands back the quizzes* Due to popular demand, I've had ~~Vala~~ people complain that the slides were boring. So today we are focusing on grave goods. ~~Because they are shiny and fun to look at~~

*turns off lights and starts slide show*

Homework: Answer this question: If you were living in this time period of Ancient Egypt, what sorts of things would you want to be included in your tomb?

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Greek and Roman Archaeology:

( People who missed class )

( Missing Homework )

Today we are going to look at some slides. *Turns down lights* We are focusing on the Villanovan period.

Assignment: Just continue the reading and make up any missed homework.

----

Linguistics:

( People who missed class )

( Homework missing )

Today we will be watching a ~~boring~~ documentary about linguistics ~~because I am running out of class ideas~~

Assignment: Please just do the reading and make up missed homework.

the-ascended.livejournal.com

Introduction to Anthro:

( People Who Skipped Class )

( Homework Bad List )

Good work with the societies. This class we will discuss family. First, I have an article that I would like to pass out that describes two different types of families, then we will talk about what it means to be a family.

Homework: Describe your familial structure. Is it patrilineal or matrilineal? How would your family be different if it was switched from the norm?

---

Egyptian Archaeology:

( People Who Skipped Class )

( Homework Bad List )

Well done with the quiz. I will hand those back next class, but most of you got at least 80's. This class, we will be looking at yet more slides. This time, we are focusing on a site right near the Nile.

Homework: Describe the process of embalming and mummifying in full detail, as next class we will be looking at mummys!
-----
Linguistics:

( People Who Skipped Class )

( Homework Bad List )

Today's lesson we will be studying the similarities between Greek and Latin's grammar structure. As you can see, both languages are similar except that Greek has a different alphabet, and there is no aorist tense. Obviously, there is a reason for this, and we will see that once comparing the two. Open up your books, please.

Homework: No homework for today :)

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