Students spend time at the Philadephia Zoo to develop data collection techniques including observ... Students spend time at the Philadephia Zoo to develop data collection techniques including observation. Students will also learn how to analyze and interpret the collected data.

Learning Goals

1) Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of theory in anthropology and sociology. As a result, they should be able to:

             (a) define theory and describe its role in building anthropological and sociological knowledge;

             (b) compare and contrast key theoretical perspectives in anthropology and sociology;

             (c) use these perspectives to analyze the social world.

             (d) offer a theoretical assessment of a published book or article.

 2) Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of empirical research in anthropology and sociology. As a result, they should be able to:

            (a) define empirical research and describe its role in building anthropological and sociological knowledge;

            (b) discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the main qualitative and quantitative methods that anthropologists and sociologists use to collect and analyze data;

            (c) select the best method for a particular research question; and          

            (d) offer a methodological assessment of a published book or article.

  3) Students should be able to gather the existing literature on a topic and write a literature review that reveals at least one gap or shortcoming in the literature.

 4) Students should be able to design and carry out an independent research project in anthropology or sociology. This entails:

           (a) turning a diffuse interest in a broad topic into a specific, researchable question;

           (b) selecting the best method for answering that research question;

           (c) collecting and analyzing data that bear on the question;

           (d) using the results to develop an answer to the question;

           (e) reflecting on the shortcomings of one’s study; and

           (f)  explaining what the study adds to the existing literature.

 5) Students should be able to write a clear and coherent research report.

 6) Students should be able to deliver a clear and coherent oral research presentation.