ANTH/INTL 308: Migration and Human Adaptation

Minnesota State University Moorhead/Spring 2014
Wednesday 5:00-7:30PM, KH 215
Class web site http://web.mnstate.edu/robertsb/308

 Instructor: Dr. Bruce Roberts
Department of Anthropology and Earth Science
Office: KH 213; Telephone: 477-2043; E mail: robertsb@mnstate.edu
Office hours: M 12-1PM; W 9AM-12PM; T, H 9AM-12PM, also by appointment
 

Official course description: An examination of migration as an adaptive strategy used by people in adjusting to changing conditions in their environment. Explores types of migration as well as motivations and consequences of human movement in both the past and present and around the world.

This course is in MnTC/LASC Goal Area 8: Global Perspective

Goal: To increase students' understanding of the growing interdependence of nations and peoples and develop their ability to apply a comparative perspective to cross-cultural social, economic and political experiences.

Students will be able to:

• Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

• Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

• Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, & political differences that affect their solution.

• Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Learning outcomes of this course:

1.       Recognize that migration is a very old and time tested human adaptive strategy.

2.       Acknowledge the various types of migration that humans practice and the conditions which favor certain types over others.

3.       Develop an appreciation for the motivations of migrants.

4.       Understand various elements in the migration process, especially migrant remittances.

Humans have been moving since ancestral species first left Africa between 1 & 2 million years ago. Nevertheless, the rate and scale of migration today is unparalleled in human history. In this course we will examine why people move, why they go where they go as well as the consequences of these movements. Our emphasis will be on contemporary migration in today’s world. We’ll examine migration as an adaptive strategy that people use in adjusting to changing conditions in their environment. Movement entails adjustment and numerous aspects of peoples’ lives change as a result: lifestyles, livelihoods, habitation modes, foodstuffs, clothing and dress, education, family life, etc. Collectively these traits constitute what anthropologists call culture. Some movement is voluntary but much of it is not. We’ll look at both voluntary and involuntary movement and consider how they differentially affect the people involved: women and men, children and adults, migrants and hosts. Case studies based upon ethnographic research – the hallmark of cultural anthropology – will be utilized.    

Texts

• Jeffrey H.  Cohen and Ibrahim Sirkeci.  Cultures of Migration: The Global nature of Contemporary Mobility.  2011. Austin: University of Texas Press.

• Hans Lucht. Darkness Before Daybreak: African Migrants Living on the Margins in Southern Italy Today. 2012. University of California Press.

• Lillian Trager, ed. Migration and Economy: Global and Local Dynamics. 2005. Altamira Press.

Additional readings will be hyperlinked to the online copy of this syllabus, on the class webpage, which can be found at http://web.mnstate.edu/robertsb/308

Evaluation

Attendance, classroom discussion, and civility: Attendance is at your discretion. I don’t assign points for simply attending class nor do I subtract points if you miss class. However, it definitely benefits you to come because those students who consistently attend class earn the best grades. It’s that simple.

 I welcome your relevant questions and encourage informed discussion (note the two italicized words).  All I ask is that any verbal exchange be civil, polite, and relevant to the topic were examining. I will strive to cultivate a classroom environment emphasizing deeper understanding, civility and respect for human dignity. I will not tolerate disrespectful and/or disruptive classroom behavior of any kind from anyone.

Quizzes: To give you some additional incentive to keep up to date on the readings I’ll give 6 unannounced pop quizzes, each worth 10 points. They may be short answer or objective format – multiple-choice, true-false, matching questions—or perhaps a combination. Since I only factor 5 of these quizzes into the grading scheme the 6th one can be viewed either as a bonus or a drop quiz, whichever suits your mindset. No make-up quizzes will be given. If you miss a quiz that constitutes your drop quiz. If you don’t miss any quizzes then the 6th one is like a bonus.

Exams: There will be a midterm exam worth 100 points and a final exam worth 100 points. They will be comprised of a combination of objective format questions – multiple-choice, true-false, and matching – as well as short answer/essay.  If you miss the midterm exam then an all essay make up exam will only be given at my discretion with a verifiable excuse (e.g., medical or vehicular) provided that you notify me within 24 hours of the exam. Please do not miss the final exam because there is no time to schedule a make-up exam. The midterm constitutes 25% of the grade I assign  and the final exam constitutes 37.5% of the final grade.

Reaction essays/papers: Over the course of the semester I’ll use a number of videos to illustrate the experiences and circumstances of migrants of various types. For those videos which I identify you’ll be expected you to write brief reaction papers and submit them by a designated deadline. Your task will be to intelligently and thoughtfully respond/react to something that we’ve either read or seen in a video. I will provide you with guidelines for each of these videos. Each of these will be worth 10 points and there will be 6 total. Collectively this component comprises 14% of the final grade. Since I only factor 5 into the grading scheme the sixth one is either a “bonus” or a “drop” – depending on how you look at the world

Critical book review: For the book Darkness Before Daybreak, by Hans Lucht, you’ll be expected to write a critical book review of approximately 5-7 double-spaced pages. This review is important and will be worth 50 points. Since you have the entire semester to read it I am holding firm that it is due on the last day of class, May 7th. Late reviews will be penalized 10 points per half day late. This review will constitute 14% of your final grade. While that may not sound like a lot now failure to submit this assignment will lower your final grade. Guidelines will be provided shortly. Meanwhile if you're unsure how critical book reviews are done visit the web pages for the University of Wisconsin Writing Center or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or these sample guidelines for critical book reviews.

Academic honesty and integrity: I take both very seriously. If you cheat on an exam or quiz or plagiarize on a paper I will take what I consider to be appropriate measures, including but not limited to assigning you a zero for that item. I encourage you to read the relevant portions of the MSUM student Handbook.

Extra Credit:  There will be none. I do not believe in it and do not give it. If you follow the instructions on this syllabus you will be fine.  If you wait until the end of the semester to figure out that you're not doing well, by then it will be too late. I believe rewards should accrue to those who work hard throughout the semester and attend class consistently.

“Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-4318 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.  Information regarding Disability Services is available at http://web.mnstate.edu/disability/”

Summary of Evaluation Criteria and Grading Scheme

Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments