Learning Goals Reflections (Fall 2024)

Due:  

  • Learning goals reflection paragraph, Monday Sept 9, midnight, Moodle upload
  • 1-2 paragraph final reflections, Wednesday, Dec 18, midnight, Moodle upload

Introduction to Anthropology at Reed is an unusual course in that it is one of the few graduate school-like introductions to the discipline for undergraduates. It can thus be a tough course to navigate. The ultimate practical goal is to give you a taste of the history of key theoretical and methodological debates that still inform anthropologists (and other social theorists, pundits, policy-makers and activists) today. The broader goal is to help you learn to read dense theoretical and ethnographic texts, and to be able to grasp, compare, and critique authors' basic premises and the potential consequences of their theories and methods, and then apply/critique them in your own analyses.

Finally, there is a certain "paradigm-shift" in anthropology and in critical social theory in general that calls into question the very nature of scientific knowledge and asks how well-intentioned academics can ethically intervene in the world at large. That paradigm shift can take you on your own personal journey, because it requires that the critical lens at times be turned on ourselves as agents and knowers.

Your learning goals reflections at the beginning and end of the semester are places where you can consider what you want to take from the course and then reflect back on that process.

First reflection: at least one paragraph describing your own goals for the course in light of how you learn best

  • Check out the syllabus' listed readings and assignments: there can be many other things you want to learn about besides what I mentioned above, both general (topics, areas of the world, forms of theory) and very specific (particular writing goals you might have, time-management goals, etc.).
  • Reflect on and share anything you think will help me understand you as a learner: do you have any relevant preparation for this course (you don't need any!)? what are you eager to learn or how might this course fit your own interests and priorities? what might cause you anxiety about this? How best do you think you learn? Any particular needs or barriers you routinely face?

Second reflection: at the end of the semester take 1-2 paragraphs to reflect back on the process.

  • Did you fulfill any of those goals? Any surprises? Disappointments? New challenges for yourself? What worked well? What not so well? and why do you think that is?