Learning Outcome #4

 Evaluate the application of anthropological data and theory to solve complex problems

The evaluation of anthropological data and theory is a reflection of resolving complex problems instead of the yes or no questions. This is a resolution of what worked and what didn't work when testing out data and theory. We gain a better understanding when studying complex systems within human experiences.

Refection

Anthropological data and theory allow the researcher to solve complex problems. In the course of Anthropology of Gender, we read the book "Sexual Citizens", which we were able to infer statistical data of sexual assault cases on a college campus. Through interviews, focused groups, and surveys, the research team were able to imply that sexual assault is in fact prominent on the campus and that students are lacking education on sexual assault. Students either didn't know they were assaulted, or that they have assaulted someone else. By presenting such complex problems and issues, anthropologist use such applications in order to spread such inequalities in the world.

    When reviewing anthropology books like Sexual Citizens, I was able to find a connection between the theory and the problem that needed to be highlighted among the campus they were studying. The author was examining not only individual behaviors of college students but also the social structures and environments that shape sexual encounters among them. When then find out later on that the American education system fails to teach students how to have meaningful conversations about sex, desire, and boundaries. This is proof that without the evaluation of anthropological data and theory, we wouldn't lead to such grain conclusions that would solve complex problems like this one presented.

    I would like to provide such usage of anthropological data and theory in the future so I can further infer complex problems pertaining to my projects. This pushes the agenda of what could be the possible outcomes of these problems and how we as anthropologist can evaluate it with the full set of knowledge.

Learning Outcome #5

 

Synthesize the application of anthropological data and theory to solve complex problems

Anthropological data a synthesis (combination) of knowledge in the form of theory. This is a creation of your own knowledge and thinking with theory to back it up. They are valuable tools to use when examining complex social problems within lived in human or historical experiences/ cultural systems.

Reflection

Using synthesis further amplifies the application of anthropological data and theory to solve complex problems. In Research Prep in Anthropology, we used synthesis to further answer our research question of choice. When synthesizing my project (Inadequate Nutrition within Children in South America, Dejah's e-Portfolio: Anthropology Projects), it helped anthropologist like me to analyze various sources and data to come up with an overall outcome of how to combat the research question. I start to see certain trends and inferences authors come up with that were relevant.

 To demonstrate my ability to apply appropriate methodological skills, I examined the issue of inadequate nutrition among children in South America through an anthropological lens. I utilized a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the analysis of research articles, demographic data, and ethnographic case studies, to better understand the social, economic, and cultural factors influencing childhood nutrition. 

Applying synthesis within future anthropological studies will further push my abilities to figure out theories and complex problems. I can infer complex problems via research based off of the configuration of synthesis.

Anthropology Projects

                                         

                                               “Senior Experience” Understanding Communication Strategies from the Senior Committee

                                                   Final Ethnography Report 

                                                                https://qr.link/N2VWJ5

ANTH 210-Research Methods in Anthropology.

(Referenced in Learning Outcome 1 & 3)

In History of Anthropological Ideas, I was able to put together an observational ethnographic study following the Senior Committee of 2025. By conducting qualitative research methods, I was able to find out how the 2025 Senior Committee was able to gain an increasingly high amount of engagement in their events and what caused it.

"Studying the Senior Committee allows readers to gain a better understanding of what senior class culture is here at Lawrence University. Shown through the class of 2025, we get to see how students navigate given opportunities on campus as they plan their end-of-the-year activities."

The Ethnographic Fiction Story Analytical Essay

https://qr.codes/gKxBVk

ANTH 306- Anthropology of Gender.

(Referenced in Learning Outcome 4)

The Anthropology of Gender course allowed myself and my classmates to observe various feminist anthropologist and their research methods/findings. I conducted an ethnographic fiction story via an analytical essay on Kia Caldwell's "Negras in Brazil- Envisioning Black Women, Citizenship, and the Politics of Identity". I added my commentary with made up stories following real people within her ethnography.

"Following Kia Caldwell, we will explore how she goes about her fieldnotes and positionality as an African American and an anthropologist when forming a focus group, as she attends an Afro-Brazilian activist event. A group of Afro-Brazilian women, led by Kia Caldwell, put together, gives their testimonies of racial and gender discrimination within Brazilian society."

 Open Conversations- Bible Study

https://qr.codes/RHsUJE

ANTH 330- Language and Culture. 

(Referenced in Learning Outcome 2)

Within the Language and Culture course, I gathered an observational ethnography based on the bible study group that gathered weekly during the 2024-2025 academic school year. I wanted to gain an understanding of how students used certain vocabulary when discussing various religious practices and studies in a matter that caters towards all. This study follows speech patterns that could either be formal or informal languages.

 

"Bible Study at the Lawrence University campus is a social setting open to seeking a relationship with God with Christian values in place. It is run by a group of college students who participate in an open discussion about the chapters in the bible they all collectively read. This is not, however, a Lawrence-funded club, as it is just a casual session among students."

LU Zoo Days

https://qr.link/Kmr4MT

ANTH 100-Cultural Anthropology. 

In the Introduction of Cultural Anthropology course, I formatted an observational ethnography that followed the yearly event at Lawrence University, LU Zoo Days. I followed the ins and outs of the involvement that goes into the event. I gathered student's perspectives through an interview and did fieldnotes during the whole-time frame of the event.

"Hosted by SOUP (Student Organization for University Programming), LU Zoo Days is an annual event held on May 20th, during the Spring term. Zoo Days is traditionally made for students to promote their clubs and organizations to alumni, people from Appleton, faculty, and anyone willing to help fundraise."

    

Inadequate Nutrition within Children in South America

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ANTH 401-Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology

(Referenced in Learning Outcome 5)

Established in the Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology course, I conducted a synthesis essay about food insecurity among children in South America. I wanted to know the socio-economic and maternal factors that caused children to be impoverished. How does South American societies handle human subsistence, diet, and nutrition practices.

"Within my research, I wanted to know the main causes of socio-cultural and maternal causes of malnutrition. Many children's dietary needs become secondary due to economic issues like child labor and having to go into the workforce early to support their families. This falls under intergenerational poverty which is a survival strategy in unequal societies that have struggles in health and opportunities."  

Sexual Citizens – Book Review

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ANTH 306- Gender of Anthropology

(Referenced in Learning Outcome 4)

When following the Gender of Anthropology course, I wrote a book review after completing Sexual Citizens. I wanted to conduct how the authors examine not only individual behaviors of college students but also the social structures and environments that shape sexual encounters among them. Sexual Citizens highlights the major components of sexual assault cases on campuses and how students cope with them afterwards.

"Sexual Citizens highlights the major components of sexual assault cases on campuses and how students cope with them afterwards. Through the concepts of sexual projects, sexual citizenship, and sexual geographies, Hirsch and Khan provide a framework that examines how social structures shape sexual encounters."

Learning Outcome #3

 Apply appropriate and ethical methodological skills to explore anthropological questions.

Quantitative Methodological Skills

GLM

Linear Models

Bar Graphs

Box and Whiskers Plot 

Qualitative Methodological Skills

Survey

Participant Observations

Interviews

Field Notes

Ethnography 

Reflection

Using the proper ethical methodological skills is highly important when wanting to explore any anthropological questions. In Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology, we used various of methods that helped develop skills during fieldwork analysis. We learned library research skills, ethics in anthropology, and personal safety in the lab/field. With these basic attributes in mind, we were then able to gather quantitively and qualitative research data that further answers the anthropological question(s).

Within my project “Senior Experience” Understanding Communication Strategies from the Senior Committee (Dejah's e-Portfolio: Anthropology Projects), I used methods such as surveys and/or interviews and gathering relevant fieldnotes. Using these anthropological strategies helped develop a stronger understanding of human ideologies when interacting with each other. This helps anthropologist like me to define or ask more anthropological questions with future projects and research.

I gained a better understanding of what are many anthropological methods that I could use when conducting research and how I can apply them when doing fieldwork. As I lend closer towards cultural anthropology, I will use more qualitative methods and over time, will improve in those assets as I interact with more people. 

Learning Outcome #2

 

Explain how multiple anthropological theories offer insight to the problems of the past, present, and/or future.

Cultural Relativism

Franz Boas

The belief that one's culture is far more superior than the other. This is a very important anthropological theory when discussing the past, present, and/or the future due to racial ideologies that steadily gets passed on with time.

Structuralism

Claude Lévi-Strauss

Mental structures/ideologies of how humans view or make of the world surrounding them. This theory shapes the various differences between man and women how those inequalities may change over time.

Intersectionality

Kimberlé Crenshaw

How multiple social identities make up various experiences of inequalities and unfair treatment within society. This emphasizes the power of social structures and power imbalances within social spaces.

Postcolonialism

Examines colonialism and the historical factors of inequality on a global scale. This important piece of history shapes other major disparities within our systems and could potentially foster into the future.

Symbolic Anthropology

Clifford Geertz

How people determine everyday practices through symbolism. Symbols through religion, rituals, traditions, identity, or anything with cultural values.

Agency

Individuals’ ability to make choices within structural constraints. This follows into past, current, or future restraint, conformity, and decision making.

Globalization

How global connections shape local lives. This theory helps explain identity, diaspora, and transnational systems

Historical Particularism

Franz Boas

Each culture must be understood through its unique history. This theory doesn't support generalizations and is great when studying colonial histories and local contexts.

Reflection

Some of the listed anthropological theories above all lead towards insight relating to the past, present, and/or future. They were not only relative during the time period they were created but also is true within today's time period. When conducting research for an ethnography, I tend to use theory as a reference when finding new inquiries that may be reliable. That then helps not only me but also the reader to further imply that there is a ongoing trend when it comes to the human experience. In the Language and Culture course, we looked into Symbolic Anthropology theory when looking into various ways people communicate besides verbally. We found that there were other creative outlets that were developed such as sign language, drawings, braille, and more.

Using methods such as observation, transcription, analysis within linguistic anthropology allowed me to further understand theories like symbolic. I used the observation method when listening in conversation styles such as dialectic, tone, and speech styles (informal or formal) when doing research for "Open Conversations- Bible Study"(Dejah's e-Portfolio: Anthropology Projects). 

The Language and Culture course is related to how we use anthropological theories to offer insight to the problems of the past, present, and/or future. We gain a better understanding of how people use to communicate with each other, how we currently communicate, and how we will start to communicate with each other going forward. Language is constantly evolving and it is so important to capture every movement. Why do we communicate, what is the significance of language, and what causes language to be developed?

The skills that I have listed above will push my anthropological goals and career as I would follow into examining human experiences. This project helped me understand human communication styles, while in a more formal environment. Especially with this project, I understood how others are able to portray and listen to others believes following an end goal or message pertaining towards their own lifestyles. I am now more tuned in to human's forms of language.

Learning Outcome #1

 

Describe the diversity of the human experience through a holistic anthropological lens.

The discipline of the Anthropology fits well within the diversity of the human experience on its own. We see culture as the everyday human experience and practices that tend to be normalized based on geography and/or lineage. Any traditional, spiritual/customs/beliefs, food, and more makes up the everyday human experience. Language is truly impactful within a human lifestyle based on how we interact within one another, linguistic history of how it came across a nation(s) and its impact, rather someone is bilingual or knows many more languages; etc. Even physical reactions are a form of language of how we carry ourselves in society.

Reflection:

    I am more connected towards the Cultural Anthropology discipline which allows me to explore the human experience in depth. When taking the Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology (Dejah's e-Portfolio: Anthropology Course List) course, I examined the communication skills among the senior 2025 class when it came to upcoming events. By using fieldnotes, surveys, and interviews, I studied how this senior class in particular were so successful when it came to participation in comparison to the previous classes. I was able to get to understand the human experience a lot more by interacting with various students and understanding their methods of communication of by not only interviewing them but being within their spaces.

My project, “Senior Experience”-Understanding Communication Strategies from the Senior Committee follows the aspect of diversity of the human experience through a holistic anthropological lens. I was able to study the senior class on a weekly basis via my fieldnotes, learning their methods and ways of planning events. I gained the human experience of creating ways to keep seniors engaged in student events while using anthropological methods of surveys, interviews, and participate observations.

Language is an example of holism by understanding how humans communicate by using various methods and strategies. This very important as an anthropologist for my future career wise. Using surveys allowed me to gain a better perspective of the seniors and the senior class committee. I can apply each of these methods listed above with further projects that follows human behavior and experiences.

Anthropology Course List

 Cultural Anthropology- ANTH 110

Course Description

Introduction course of Cultural Anthropology and recognize social patterns through an Anthropological lens. Students learn social patterns and those processes within and across varying cultures. 

Relevant Skills

1. Learning how to examine and develop Ethnographic case studies.

2. Basic understanding of Anthropology language, kinship, and religion as cultural systems. 

Class Experience

Create an Ethnography of your own choice that has social and/or cultural relevance. Students look into Anthropological studies and map out ethnographic formatting. Using fieldnotes/field journals to reflect on information that was gathered.

History of Anthropological Ideas-ANTH 200

Course Description

A more in-depth introduction to Anthropology and its subdisciplines. The course dives into various Anthropologists and/or theorists, and the relevance of why Anthropology is studied in the first place.

Relevant Skills

1. Gaining a better understanding of Anthropological Theories

2. Learning Anthropological ethics and fieldwork methods

Class Experience

Obtaining library research skills and fieldwork professionalism. Understanding Anthropological Theories and learning how to apply them when conducting data. Learning historical Anthropology and their impact within the discipline.

Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology-ANTH 210

Course Description

Focuses on research methods and skill development for students within the Anthropological field. This course includes library research skills, career discernment for Anthropology students, ethics in anthropology, and personal safety in the lab, field, and other professional settings.  

Relevant Skills

1.  How to gather up surveys and/or focus groups

2. Gathering relevant fieldnotes that reflects the student’s overall body of work

Class Experience

Reflecting on various forms of ethical principles. Developing a Ethnographic report of choice related to microcultures on Lawrence University’s campus. Using statistical data and learning how to analyze it within the Ethnographic report.

Anthropology of Gender- ANTH 306

Course Description

An anthropological approach to the study of gender and sexuality. This course looks into how gender and sexuality intersect with social differences such as race, class, and ethnicity.  

Relevant Skills

1.   Understanding sexual behavior and identity through an Anthropological lens

2.   Reading Ethnographies and analyzing it to gain new perspectives within the space

Class Experience

Read various sources and books focusing on gender and sexual identity. Focused on topics such as sexual behavior, reproduction, parenting, transgender identity, work, communication, and violence. 

Language & Culture-ANTH 330

Course Description

This course goes over the concept of linguistic anthropology, definitions of language, and the basic methods of linguistic anthropology (observation, transcription, analysis, ethnography). 

Relevant Skills

1. Gaining the knowledge of how influential language is

2. Using methods of linguistic anthropology

Class Experience

Students learn the impact of language, language discrimination, and language ideology theory. Students choose what they would like to write their Ethnography reports on and do an oral presentation during finals week.

Reading Feminist Ethnography-ANTH 353

Course Description

Reading a range of articles and book length works, students survey several ethnographic genres including classic realist, experimental, narrative, self-reflexive, and critical ethnography. 

Relevant Skills

1. Students lead discussions and deliver oral reports and presentations

2. Gain an understanding of prominent Feminist Anthropologist

Class Experience

Understanding how to read and analyze Feminist Anthropological works while gaining historical knowledge. Students must pick one book from the course and create an oral presentation of their added commentary and findings.

Research Prep in Anthropology- ANTH 401

Course Description

Students will develop advanced library research skills with a focus on anthropological resources and topics. Each student will write a thematic annotated bibliography based on library research, consider ethical implications of empirical research on the topic they have chosen, and formulate a plan for their senior experience foundation and independent study courses.

Relevant Skills

1. This course will also explore career development for anthropology majors. 

2. Library/ Research skills

Class Experience

Students create a synthesis essay of their research question of choice, along with an extended annotated bibliography. 

Food Justice Movements-ANTH 503

Course Description

An examination of a particular topic in anthropology using at least one theoretical perspective to underpin a significant portion of the course. The specific topic investigated changes each year. 

Relevant Skills

1.  Cultural arrangements controlling food production, distribution, preparation, consumption, and food as symbol and meaning in food media and food cultures.

2.  It explores what it means to approach the study of food systems through the lens of justice. 

Class Experience

Students are expected to carry out independent research on the topic, either through a review of relevant literature or through field or laboratory work and to demonstrate their ability to understand and apply theory. May be repeated when the topic is different.