Final Syllabus for Applied Anthropology (AN 481)

Usha K. Prasad, PhD.

ORIENTATION:
Applied anthropology is the use of anthropological perspectives, values, data,
theories, methods, techniques, and skills for practical purposes in the real world. While
in the past, the application of anthropology was generally to various public sociopolitical
issues and problems such as racial and gender discrimination, environmental justice,
refugees, human rights, and peace and nonviolent conflict resolution, the arena has
broadened significantly in recent times. The application, actual use of anthropological
perspectives, now extends to various areas of government, including policy, law, law
enforcement, and politics; business, industry, economic development, modernization,
urbanization, and globalization; communication and cyberspace; education and schools;
health and disease; environment, conservation, natural resources, hazards, and disasters;
media, sports and entertainment; cultural resource management, sacred places, and
religion; cultural survival and rights; and war, military, and security. The application of
anthropological perspectives seems fairly limitless.
Applied anthropology was officially acknowledged as the fifth subfield of our
profession by the American Anthropological Association as the job market shifted in the
mid-1980s with more employment for graduates outside of academia than inside. The
majority of introductory anthropology textbooks now recognize these facts. Furthermore,
the growing maturity and importance of applied anthropology, especially since World
War II, is reflected in the separate organizations of the Society for Applied Anthropology
and the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology; the journals Human
Organization and Practicing Anthropology; the establishment of applied training
programs in about three dozen departments of anthropology since the mid-1970s; and,
just in the last few years, the publication of superb textbooks and anthologies.
This course provides a survey of this fifth subfield, but with most attention to
cultural aspects, methods, and results. Among the methods discussed are policy analysis
and practice, needs assessment, program evaluation, social and environmental impact
assessment, social indicators, questionnaires, interviewing key informants, focus groups,
rapid rural appraisal, participatory action research, cultural brokerage, and social science
portraiture. The politics and ethics of applied anthropology will also be scrutinized.
Practical information, advice, and resources on career preparation and development will
be offered.
In addition to seminars, with occasional lectures, offering a critical discussion and
debate on readings and case studies, the instructor will discuss her own work as a medical
anthropologist who has conducted health studies and cultural, social and environmental
impact assessments in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands for the past 19 years. She recently
completed cultural impact assessments of the [helicopter] air tours over Haleakala
National Park (Maui Island), and the Hawaii Superferry use of Kahului Harbor, Maui
Island. Others who have practiced applied anthropology will be invited to participate on
occasion.
OBJECTIVES:
1. First, this course aims to provide an in-depth, thorough, and critical survey of the
practical applications of cultural anthropology.
2. Second, this course aims to provide practical information including especially useful
resources on pursuing anthropology as a career, particularly for applied anthropology.
3. Third, this course aims to allow each student to explore and develop her or his own
special interests within applied anthropology, mainly through facilitating class
discussions on topics of their choice. Each student will also conduct an independent
project of his/her choice (this can be an ongoing project) which requires the application
of anthropological tools; this will be presented in class. As an example, students in the
Summer 08 AN481 class conducted a Needs Assessment Study of the Honolulu Rail.
4. Finally, to the extent that this course is successful, it should influence the way other
courses in anthropology are viewed and applied by the student as well as future career
development. As an instance, the issue of ethics in applying anthropology, including
archaeological work, is something that students should be aware of and consider as they
pursue the particular area/special interests.
FORMAT:
This is primarily a seminar and not a lecture course; lectures will only be given
for guidance, and when a topic needs to be introduced and is not readily available in
reading form. For the most part, during each class meeting a different student will be in
charge of facilitating discussion based on the assigned readings. The instructor will
contribute with real world situations where anthropology is and can be applied. Guests
will be brought into the last hour of the class period as available and appropriate to
discuss their personal experience in applied anthropology. This course is reading,
thinking, and discussion intensive, but not writing intensive.
GRADING:
20% class attendance and participation
30% class presentations (anthropologist interview and role playing applied
anthropologist to be discussed in class)
20% mid-term examination
30% final examination
2
It is imperative that students show up to class on time and remain attentive and
participate actively in the discussions throughout the entire class period. Since
participation is a significant element of this class, any absences without a written excuse
from an appropriate source will lead to an appropriate reduction of the course grade at the
end of the semester. It is impossible to earn a passing grade in this class without regular
reading, attendance, and participation. Students must demonstrate in each class
discussion that they are familiar with the assigned readings.
READINGS:
Most readings will be drawn from the following textbooks (also see Schedule below):

Ervin, Alexander M., 2000, Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspectives for
Contemporary Practice, Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Gwynne, Margaret A., 2003, Applied Anthropology: A Career-Oriented Approach,
Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Higgins, Patricia J . and J . Anthony Paredes, eds. 2000, Classics of Practicing
Anthropology 1978-1998. Society of Applied Anthropology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Stephens, W. Richard, and Elliot M. Fratkin, 2003, Careers in Anthropology, Boston,
MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Additional (optional) reading materials, such as handouts and short studies, will be
provided in class.
SCHEDULE: (tentative)
PART I INTRODUCTION (Week 1)
1. Orientation
2. Introduction to course, instructor and students
3. Uses of cultural anthropology
Readings for Week 1: Gwynne, Chapter 1
Ervin Preface, Chapter 1
Stephens Preface, Chapter 1

PART II BACKGROUND (Weeks 2 & 3)

1. Method and theory in applied cultural anthropology
Readings: Gwynne Chapter 2
2. History of applied cultural anthropology
Readings: Gwynne Chapter 3
3. The ethics of applied cultural anthropology
Readings: Gwynne, Chapter 4
3
4
Ervin Chapter 3
4. More on methods
Readings: Ervin Chapters 11-15
PART III - ARENAS AND METHODS (Weeks 4, 5 & 6)
1. Development anthropology
Readings: Gwynne Chapter 5; Stephens Chapters 2, 8;
2. Policy
Readings: Ervin Chapters 4-5; Stephens Chapter 11
3. Cultural and social impact assessments
Readings: Ervin Chapters 6-8
4. Advocacy anthropology
Readings: Gwynne 6; Ervin 10; Stephens 16
5. Urban anthropology
6. Social work
Readings: Gwynne 7; Stephens 10
7. The law and law enforcement
Readings: Gwynne 8; Stephens 4, 9, 12, 14
8. Business anthropology
Readings: Gwynne 9; Stephens 3, 5, 7
9. Social marketing
Readings: Gwynne 10
10. Applied medical anthropology
Readings: Gwynne 11
1l. International health
Readings: Gwynne 12
12. Environmental anthropology
Readings: Ervin 9; Stephens 13, 15
13. Educational anthropology
14. Public anthropology see http://www.publicanthropology.org
15. Conclusions
Readings: Ervin 16

PART IV - CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Weeks 7, 8 & 9)

1. Working and using your anthropological know-howdirections to go.
2. Finding a job
Readings: Gwynne 13; Ervin 17; Stephens 17
3. Career development
4. Student Project Presentations

FINAL EXAM Week 10