Report to the NMU Academic Senate

from

The Committee on Undergraduate Programs

Chair: Lesley Putman

First Reading: April 11, 2017

Table of Contents

1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology (pages 1-10)

A. Program Deletion

1. Sociology in Liberal Arts Major

B. Program Change

1. Sociology Major

C. New Courses

1. AN 315 Myth, Mystery, and Fraud in Anthropology

2. AN 375 Archaeology Lab Methods

3. AN 390 Museum Studies

4. AN 430 Historical Archaeology

5. AN 440 History of Anthropology

6. AN 450 Forensic Anthropology

D. New Program

1. Anthropology Major

2. Department of Communication and Performance Studies (Pages 10-14)

A. New Courses

1. BC 250 Intro to Multimedia Production

2. BC 493 Senior Portfolio

B. Program Changes

1. Multimedia Journalism Major

2. Media Production and New Technology Major

1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology
A. Program Deletion

Sociology in Liberal Arts Major

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

Sociology in Liberal Arts Major

Total Credits Required for Degree 120

Liberal Studies 30-40

Required Courses in Major 32

Minimum of 20 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above

SO 101 Introductory Sociology [IV] 4

SO 263 Criminology or 4

SO 343 Sociology of Deviant Behavior (4 cr.) or

SO 312 Religion and Society or 4

SO 232 Sociology of Family and Intimate Relationships (4 cr.) [IV] or

SO 382 Health, Society and Culture (4 cr.)

SO 351 Social Change [IV] or 4

SO 355 Introduction to Social Psychology (4 cr.) [IV] or

SO 407 Sociological Theory (4 cr.) or

SO 353 Globalization and Asian Societies (4 cr.) [IV]

SO 362 Gender and Society [IV] or 4

SO 322 Social Class, Power and Mobility (4 cr.) [IV] or

SO 372 Minority Groups (4 cr.) [IV]

Sociology Electives 12

Minor 20

Rationale:

The 32 credit Sociology in Liberal Arts major is an artifact from several decades ago; it has been referred to in a somewhat pejorative fashion as “Sociology Lite.” The 32 credits did not require statistics and research methods. This major was a way for students to package courses and find an “easy” path to graduation. It makes no sense to promote a major that does not require students to take research methods. The major should be more than a random collection of electives. We can no longer certify that a student has mastery in the absence of understanding the core methodology of their discipline. Further, it is disingenuous to suggest that such students would be properly prepared for graduate school.

Effect on Other Departments:

None.

Costs:

None

B. Program Change

Sociology Major

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

Sociology Major

Total Credits Required for Degree 120

General Education 30-40

Required Courses in Major 40 36

Core Course 4

SO 101 Introductory Sociology 4

Research Methods Cluster 12 8

SO 208 Methods of Social Research I 4

SO 308 Methods of Social Research II 4

SO 408 Survey Research, Design and Analysis or 4

SO 409 Qualitative Research Methods (4 cr.)

Theory Cluster 8

Choose two courses from the following:

SO 322 Social Class, Power and Mobility (4 cr.)

SO 351 Social Change (4 cr.)

SO 353 Globalization and Asian Societies (4 cr.)

SO 407 Sociological Theory (4 cr.)

Sociology Electives 16

At least two courses (8 cr.) must be at the 300 level or above.

Minor 20

Rationale:

We propose to eliminate the third research methods course (SO408 or SO 409) as a requirement for the 40 credit Sociology Major, thus reducing it to 36 credits. A review of 14 comparable sociology majors in the region confirms that none required more than two research methods courses. Additionally, we have had to cancel sections of SO408 in recent years because the class did not meet minimum enrollment.

The creation of a single 36 credit major, one which includes research methods and theory courses, is both rigorous and consistent with the recommendations of the external reviewer (2016). We also believe that the consolidation into a single 36 credit major will reduce confusion and somewhat ease staffing pressures. We believe this is a winning arrangement for students and faculty alike.

Effect on Other Departments:

None.

Costs:

None

C. New Courses

1. AN 315 Myth, Mystery, and Fraud in Anthropology

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

AN 315 Myth, Mystery, and Fraud in Anthropology

4 cr. (4-0-0)

Prerequisites: AN 100 or AN 101

Students in this course are introduced to some of the popular myths and mysteries in our society, and in anthropology, including some of the controversies surrounding attempts at archaeological fraud in other countries. Students are introduced to anthropological ethics, uses of archaeology for different political agendas and nationalism, and how to critically analyze various forms of pseudoscience. Techniques for investigating myths, mysteries, sagas, legends, fables, and tales are introduced, while covering a wide range of subject matter. Students learn methods to establish “evidence” and “facts” while exploring alternative forms of explanation and investigation techniques. Do creation myths have any basis in facts? Do legends have any anthropological or archaeological evidence to support them? What new finds have been found that might alter our current understanding of the world? What happens when myth meets science?

Rationale:

Myth, Mystery, and Fraud in Anthropology is an elective course in only a few anthropology programs nationwide. At NMU the course has been offered twice as a special topics class (AN 495) for students enrolled in the Anthropology minor or an Individually Created Program (ICP) in Anthropology. This is the third time this popular course will be offered, therefore it requires approval from CUP. The course teaches students to think critically, to use the scientific method, and to use a wholistic and multi-disciplinary approach when considering various forms of evidence and assessing claims of discovery. This course will be an elective in the proposed Anthropology Major.

2. AN 375 Archaeology Lab Methods

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

AN 375 Archaeology Lab Methods

4 cr (1-0-6)

Prerequisites: AN 101

This course will emphasize a hands-on approach to learning archaeology lab methods, including for example artifact processing, artifact stabilization, cataloguing, artifact research and analysis, electrolytic cleaning, ceramic refitting, metals analysis, computer graphics, flotation processing of soil samples, and curation practices, among others. Student research will include in-depth artifact research and analysis, interpretation, report preparation, writing skills, and formal presentations. Students will use artifacts and data from a variety of archaeological sites in the Great Lakes region and Midwest, including those excavated during NMU’s summer archaeology field schools (AN 355 summer course).

Rationale:

Archaeological Lab Methods is an elective course in anthropology programs nationwide. It has been offered once at NMU as a special topics class under Archaeology Field & Lab Methods (Fall 2014), and again as Archaeology Lab Methods (Fall 2016) for students enrolled in the anthropology minor, or students in an Individually Created Program (ICP) in anthropology. Two similar versions of this course have been taught, therefore it requires approval from CUP. The course provides students with practical archaeology lab skills such as: lithic (stone tool) and ceramic analyses; using flotation processing for paleo-ethnobotanical studies, and basic faunal analysis; how to interpret sites and artifacts from lab results and field notes; basic artifact illustration and photography methods; and skills to generate reports and to disseminate information. This course will be useful in training students as archaeology lab technicians.

Costs:

In the past we have sought and secured internal grants, ASL course designation, or funding from the Dean of Arts & Sciences for consumables (e.g. latex gloves, artifact bags, etc.). More recently we have requested an annual budget for the archaeology lab that would cover these costs. Otherwise, all necessary resources, including references, are available in the archaeology lab.

3. AN 390 Museum Studies

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

AN 390 Museum Studies

4 cr. (4-0-0)

Prerequisites: AN 101

This course covers a variety of museum topics with a focus on interpreting and using anthropological and archaeological collections in exhibits. Students will gain an understanding of the operations of museum anthropology departments, including working with and curating collections, collections management and conservation methods, and exhibition development. Along the way students explore related careers, and learn the latest museum technology in use by anthropologists. Students learn the role of museums, historical societies, and archaeologists in telling the story of our past through interpretation and dissemination of material culture and historical documents. Students participate in preparing artifacts and objects, displays, and content for real exhibits using archaeological collections; they discuss current laws, controversies, the curation crisis, and issues affecting collecting and the future of museums. Local trips to critically analyze museum exhibits and content labels are included. This course prepares students for summer work at a historical society or museum.

Rationale:

Museum Studies is occasionally offered as an elective course in anthropology programs nationwide, more so at institutions that focus on museum studies (e.g. conservation, collections management, and archives). The course has been offered a few times in the past under various names and similar content, but has been boiled down to this one course. In the past it was taught as a special topics course (AN495). This course is an elective for students enrolled in the Anthropology minor or an Individually Created Program (ICP) in Anthropology. It has been taught as Museum Studies in W2016 and W2014 (previous versions included AN295-Museum Studies 1.0, and AN495 Museum Studies 2.0). Under the combined version (1.5) it has been taught twice, therefore it requires approval from CUP.

Effect on Other Departments:

We don’t anticipate that this course will adversely affect other departments or schools, although it will have to be coordinated with the History Department, as a non-anthropological museum studies course is occasionally offered. History students often take this course.

4. AN 430 Historical Archaeology

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

AN 430 Historical Archaeology

4 cr. (2-0-4)

Prerequisites: AN 101

This course will cover the topic of historical archaeology with an emphasis on sites from the Great Lakes region, including local historic sites. Each week the class will meet for a short lecture, and for a longer in-the-field project, excavation, and/or research time. Students will gain hands-on in-the-field archaeological survey, mapping, and excavation experience. Students will gain an understanding of the complexity of historical archaeology, including everything from obtaining landowner permission to surveying and mapping, from excavation to laboratory analysis, and from research to interpretation. Students will write up and present their findings, explore related careers, and learn the latest technology in use by historical archaeologists, and learn how historical archaeology adds a new dimension to the history of the Great Lakes region.

Rationale:

Historical Archaeology is an elective course in anthropology programs nationwide, and has been offered twice as a special topics class (AN 495) for students enrolled in the Anthropology minor or an Individually Created Program (ICP) in Anthropology. The course will be offered again in the Fall of 2018 (previously taught in F2016 as HON211, and in F2012). Since we anticipate teaching it every two or three years, it requires approval from CUP. The course expands upon historical archaeology foundations introduced in AN 101, and provides additional focus on the methodologies used in the field of historical archaeology.

In this course students will learn the general timeline and sequence of early history in the Americas, with additional emphasis on Contact Period sites in the Great Lakes region; they will learn methods of archaeological survey, mapping, and the fundamentals of excavation; and gain an understanding of the complexity of historical archaeology, including obtaining landowner permission, securing funding. They will learn laboratory analysis, research and interpretation, as well as writing and presenting findings. Students will learn about technological changes and the subsequent effect on social complexity through time and be exposed to the most current archaeological evidence and analytical tools for interpreting the historical archaeological record. Students will learn the fundamentals of laboratory methods and collections management skills for interpretation and curation of historical artifacts.

Costs:

All necessary resources are available in the archaeology lab. Archaeology field equipment is already available through the NMU Archaeology Lab. Some minor cost for consumables such as artifact bags will be incurred. It is possible these minor costs can be absorbed by the department, or through a small course fee.

5. AN 440 History of Anthropology

Proposed Bulletin Copy:

AN 440 History of Anthropology

4 cr. (4-0-0)

Prerequisites: AN 100 or AN 101

Students in this course receive a comprehensive overview of the history of the field of Anthropology from an international perspective. We explore Anthropology’s early obsessions, sociological and evolutionary thought, and the various successes and failures along the way. We also delve into postmodernism, anthropological regionalism, historical particularism, functionalism, neo-materialism, structuralism, ethno-science, globalization, processualism, behavioral ecology, and applied anthropology, among other topics. Our path begins in Medieval Europe in the 16th century and crosses into the present.

Rationale:

History of Anthropology is a core course in anthropology programs nationwide, and has been offered nearly every two years as a special topics class (AN 495) for students enrolled in the Anthropology minor or an Individually Created Program (ICP) in Anthropology. This is a core class for the Anthropology major at NMU and will be required of all degree students. Since this course has been taught four times in the last eight years, it requires approval from CUP. The course substantially expands upon theoretical foundations introduced in both AN 100 and AN 101, and provides a broad, international overview of historical and theoretical concepts in anthropology.

This course enables students majoring in anthropology and students minoring in anthropology to expand upon foundational theoretical learning in anthropology, and to gain knowledge of the trajectory of how anthropology developed as a discipline over time. In this course students will learn the origins and developments of anthropological thought and theory through time; the historical attempts to describe, and classify cultural and biological human diversity; and the various American, European, and “Other” anthropological traditions. Students will also learn about the popular trends through time, including for example behavioral ecology, ethnology, environmentalism, functionalism, structuralism, politics of fieldwork, nationalism, etc.; and they will gain an understanding of the past failures and successes, future directions, and relevance of modern Anthropology today.