Teaching and Learning Anthropology

Elements of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP), or teaching and learning in the Jesuit tradition, can be successfully integrated into both formal anthropology courses and informal environments such as museum exhibits to advance anthropological pedagogy. This article discusses how I integrated the IPP into the design of an anthropology course on museum exhibit development and into the exhibit itself. Students benefitted from direct activities such as opportunities to study and interpret material culture, and they were asked to reflect on the experience of applying their anthropological knowledge and interests in a public venue. Visitors to the exhibit were provided opportunities for reflection, which may lead to changes in their actions.

High impact learning experiences are associated with positive trends in student retention and graduation. I developed a course, Historic Mortuary Archaeology, that incorporates two high impact strategies: engaging undergraduate students in research and learning through collaboration. This article discusses the process through which the course arose, how the work for one large research project was spread among the students, and the changes that I could make to improve the course in the future. The piece concludes with a general discussion of the logistical challenges of off-campus learning experiences and some strategies to address these issues.

This paper explains how to play and debrief the Exchange Game. Suitable for play in first year anthropology courses and in lectures on economic anthropology, the game reinforces core concepts including reciprocity, cooperation, and altruism.