ANTH 3480 - Cultural Ecology

Goal: To discuss and analyze how anthropologists have developed and applied the ecosystem concept to questions about how modern and ancient peoples have interacted with their environment. To understand how anthropologists have developed systems models of cultures as finely attuned adaptive systems. To learn how to develop explanatory models that relate cultural behavior to ecological considerations.

Content: The comparative development of human cultural adaptive strategies to the major ecosystems of this planet: arctic, arid zone, grasslands (temperate and tropical), high altitude systems, and forests (boreal, temperate, and tropical). The methodologies and techniques employed in cultural ecological studies.

Taught: Alternate years.

Prerequisite: ANTH 1160.

Credits: 4 credits