| |
Fall, 2004
 |
Anthropology 4010
(Call # 86-407)
Anthropology 6010 (Call # 18-229)
|
This course will explore the principles of human impact through time on ecological landscapes and how these principles can guide contemporary and future communities in the design of sustainable agricultural systems. Using interdisciplinary methods borrowed from oral history, archival science, historical archeology, ecology, and agricultural anthropology, this class will explore the historical ecology of a farm located along Golden Grove Creek, Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Several UGA classes in the past have focused on this same area as a part of a long-term plan to re-create a historical education farm dedicated to sustainable living. Students in earlier classes have reconstructed the ownership of the farm from the 1790s to the present, written histories of specific periods, conducted ethnobotanical surveys of useful plants, and even implemented a community-support agriculture project. All prior classes focused on the farm (Agrarian Connections) have been student directed and inspired. This class will be no exception. The farm is at a point where we can now begin creation of the specific historical stages which have characterized the area. I am proposing that we continue to carry out the research and make further progress on the reconstruction of the smallholder "pioneer" stage on the farm (1793-1850s). This will involve the actual historical and agroecological reconstruction of a cabin site on the farm.
This class will require a great deal of self motivation and self direction. Each student must attend ALL classes (we meet only one afternoon a week), participate in field events, read and report on all readings (1 assigned books plus additional reading). The class will be faculty-student interactive and during the first two weeks of class we will jointly design all activities. Together we will continue working on the core of the homestead (i.e., the log cabin) and "teams of students" (to be self selected with guidance of class instructors) will take responsibility for a critical aspect of reconstructing the pioneer homestead (design and layout, hewing, stonework, yard/garden, and interior). Together we will research the historical and social context of the pioneer homesite, its nature and function. We will organize the teams over the first two class meetings.
While all students work on "teams", there will be an individual or co-authored research paper and a "living history" demonstration to the whole group. If you work in pairs, I expect your research paper to equal the work of two students. Each student (or pairs) will select a topic on pioneer life of their choosing and write a paper complete with illustrations and photographs. As a part of your research project, you will also be asked either to: 1. interview at least one "old-timer"; or 2. attend a living history farm or a fall "living history" event or festival. I will ask for a one or two page report on this interview or trip. We will provide you with a list of suggested topics for your research paper but you should select a topic of interest to you. Finally, you will be required to "integrate" your subsystem with those of your colleagues and discuss in your findings on what from the past can be realistically kept for sustainable living in the future.
back
to top
|
|
