Ithaca College

The Department of Anthropology is offering a course in Puerto Rico!  The Anthropological Experience in Puerto Rico: Playas, Primates, Plants and People is a field-based course offered during the winter intersession December 28, 2011-January 14, 2012.

The course provides perspectives that cross the subdisciplines within anthropology.  There are several field excursions that explore the rich cultural traditions of Puerto Ricans as manifested in food, music, dance and festivals.  Special emphasis is placed on Taino culture, identity, and representation.  This includes an understanding of the history and material culture of the indigenous populations through archaeological sites and artifacts.  Additionally, we observe the interactions between people and their environment.  This includes the affects of tourism, the positive and negative interactions between humans and their monkey relatives on the island and efforts to respect and preserve the environment.  We also explore the modern use of traditional healing practices, especially as they pertain to ethnobotany. 

Please contact Jennifer Muller ( jlmuller@ithaca.edu )by October 12, 2011 for additional information.