USC
DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY NEWSLETTER
2003
(4) September 11, 2003
compiled by Kenneth G. Kelly, Undergraduate
Director
CONTENTS
Greetings
1
Kudos
to Anthropology Students
1
ASA
News
1-2
Colloquium
Series
2-3
Around
Campus
3-4
Career
Corner
4-6
Meetings
& Opportunities
6-7
Meet
a Professor
7
A
Day in the Life Of
8
Greetings
to all of our new and returning students.
We
are pleased to meet new friends and see old ones, and the best way to see
everyone is to take part in the Anthropology Student Association events. You do not need to be an Anthropology Major or Minor; you
only have to be interested in Anthropology and spending time with Anthropology
students.
Kudos
to Anthropology Students
Congratulations
to Lara Bratcher, senior Anthropology major and Truman Scholarship winner on
being named to Glamour magazines annual list of Top 10 College Women!!
EVENTS
for September
Your
ASA has already planned a semester full of great events.
The first one you don’t want to miss is:
The
ASA Cookout September 15, 11:30-2, Gibbs Green side entrance to Hamilton.
Come join anthropology students and faculty for burgers, veggie burgers,
and sodas. It is free, but in this
budget cut era, if you can stuff a buck in the can, contributions are welcome
and appreciated.
Film
night and brown bag dinner: The
Gods must be Crazy, 6pm Hamilton 318 September 22.
Look for flyers.
Students,
to keep up with the latest in Anthropology Department goings on, keep an eye on
the ASA bulletin board outside the Department Chair’s office, and the
Department Colloquia bulletin board across the hall from the Department Office.
Also
in September from your Anthropology Department:
September
Dates:
Thursday
9/11 3:30 pm
318 Hamilton
Meet
the Anthropology Faculty
Tuesday
9/16 3:30 pm
127 WMBB
“Late
Ice-Age Adaptations: The View from Mezhirich, Ukraine.”
Dr.
James M. Adovasio, Dir. Mercyhurst Archaeeological Institute, Mercyhurst
College, Erie, Pennsylvania.
Thursday
9/25 3:30 pm
318 Hamilton
Viewing
of the Film “Margaret Mead:
An Observer Observed.”
WASCL
If
you are at all interested in Archaeology, please come to the Wednesday
Archaeology at South Carolina Lunch (WASCL) Talks.
These brown bag talks are held every other Wednesday throughout the
semester and provide a great opportunity to meet archaeologists, learn about
their research, and maybe make connections that turn into jobs.
Look for the flyers in the department, and remember this schedule:
WEDNESDAY
ARCHAEOLOGY AT SOUTH CAROLINA LUNCH
Rm. 302 HAMILTON COLLEGE 12:05-1:05
September 17
Dr. Ed Carr (Dept. of Geography)
“The Archaeology of Globalization in Coastal Ghana, 1820-2000”
October 1
John Cable
Topic: TBA
October 15
Grant Quertermous
“Archaeology of the Seibels House Kitchen Quarter”
October 29
Natalie Adams
“Understanding Small Historic Domestic Site Organization at the Survey Level”
November 12
Carl Steen
“When Archaeology and History Collide: The “Battle” of Lewisfield”
December 3
Martha Zierden
AROUND
CAMPUS
Lectures/seminars
Thomas
L. Friedman, Foreign Affairs Columnist for the New York Times will be on campus
Tuesday September 30 to speak on the current situation in the Middle East. He will be leading a symposium at 3pm in the Koger center,
and at 8pm will be speaking on “The Middle East:
an update on changing events.” This
should be very interesting.
Career
Center
Career
Center information
The
Career Center has a variety of special events scheduled for 2003-2004,
including:
Career
Fair Blitz
September
18, 11-3, Carolina Coliseum
Pharmacy
Day
October
29, 10-5, Strom Thurmond Wellness Center
Engineering
and High Tech Fair
February
5, 11-3 Strom
Career
Fest
February
26, 11-3, Carolina Coliseum
Education
Recruitment Day
March
24, 10-5 Carolina Coliseum
They
also have loads of resources, including drop in councilors, a career library,
web resources, mock interview program, job listings through USC Career Link, and
assistance with Graduate School application.
Check out their website at www.sc.edu/career
Are
you thinking about a career in Anthropology?
Although you think it may be early, you can learn a great deal about
opportunities in Anthropology by visiting the Anthropology On Line Career Center
at http://www.aaanet.org/careers.htm.
It's quick and easy – no passwords, no fees or charges.
Come and take a look at the opportunities:
Create
a personal Job agent http://aaanet.jobcontrolcenter.com/search/agent/index.cfm
Post
your CV http://aaanet.jobcontrolcenter.com/apply/advertise.cfm
This
is a free service to anyone interested in career in anthropology.
So
pass this along to your students, friends, and colleagues.
Want
to travel? Think about Study Abroad
Study
abroad info sessions resumed on Sept. 8 and will be held throughout the semester
on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. at the study abroad office (inside the
Career Center, BA Building 6th floor). If
students cannot attend the sessions, they can call 777-7557 to schedule an
appointment.
And
if you haven't visited their new location yet, please drop by anytime!
Want
to travel and live abroad a longer time? Think
Peace Corps
Keith
West, Peace Corps Representative for USC (and USC alumnus, 2000) will be
visiting campus September 16-18 to tell students about overseas opportunities
with the U.S. Peace Corps in one of the following areas: Health, Education, the
Environment, Business, Community Development, and Agriculture. If you would like to open your eyes to possible overseas
development work in one of the aforementioned programs, he is available to see
you.
Information
Meeting
H.
William Close Bldg, 6th Floor (Career Center)
Wednesday,
September 17
5:00-6:00
p.m.
Information
Table
Russell
House on Green St.
Tuesday
& Wednesday, September 16, 17
11:30
a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Feel
free to contact him with any questions.
Keith
West
Peace
Corps Recruiter - Atlanta
PCV
00-02: Cape Verde, West Africa
1-800-424-8580,
option 1, ext. 23473
kwest@peacecorps.gov
MONEY
OPPORTUNITIES:
GRANTS-IN-AID
OF RESEARCH DEADLINE - Awarding research support to undergraduate and graduate
students for 80 years. Most grants range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000.
Vision related or astronomy related research projects may be awarded up
to $2,500.
Students
apply online: <http://sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/guide.shtml>
APPLICATION
DEADLINE: October 15, 2003.
UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY - 2003 Student Research Conference to be held in Los Angeles
November 14 and 15. Students
present research, attend workshops and lectures by leading scientists and
network with graduate school and employment recruiters.
Information and Registration: http://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/student/index.shtml
GRADUATE
STUDENTS and DOCTORAL - Special Opportunity for participation at the Student
Conference. More Info at: http://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/student/phd.shtml
Two
to three part time positions are available to Anthropology undergraduate (or
graduate) students through the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and
Anthropology (SCIAA) as follows:
A
total of ca. 30 hours per week (filled by two or three students depending on
schedules) is available through SCIAA at the USC Map Library.
Duties will include scanning and georeferencing aerial imagery of Fort
Jackson, SC and surrounding areas. Training
on the equipment and software required will be provided.
Pay rate is $9/hr. Please contact Dr. Chris Clement at SCIAA (777-8170)
for further information.
Drs.
Kasakoff and Adams are looking for some undergraduate students willing to work
20 hours a week doing coding of data and looking up genealogical information on
the web for a project on Migration and the Family in the American North in the
19th century. Need someone
very detail oriented and meticulous. Will
work as part of a team. Especially
interesting to someone interested in history or computers.
Please contact Dr. Kasakoff at 777-6979
Monday
Night Labs Continue!
Volunteer
to work in the Archaeology Lab on Monday nights. No experience necessary, no
appointments needed: just show up to work and bring your best friend. Come for
any length of time. The open lab is on Monday nights from 4:00-7:00 pm, Hamilton
110. We are presently washing and sorting artifacts from the 2003 summer field
school in Camden, SC, at the Concrete Block site. Stop by for any length of time
to work and gain some experience to put on your resume. Available Sept. 8, 15,
22, 29, Oct. 6. For more information, contact Dr. Gail Wagner
By Lesley M. Drucker, SC Archaeology Festival Coordinator
Do you like archaeology? Do you like teaching about archaeology or sharing your knowledge about the past? Does helping a tired, grateful re-enactor turn you on?
Yes? Maybe? Don’t know?
Bet
I know where you can find out, have a great time, and nurse your tired feet in
good company. Join our dedicated
band of volunteers for this year’s SC
ARCHAEOLOGY DISCOVERY WEEKEND.
We are moving this year’s festival to Santee State Park near Santee, SC for our Friday evening (Oct. 3) Lantern Tour and our all-day festival on Saturday (Oct. 4). Plus, you can hear a noted archaeologist give a a talk at Santee Indian Mound, or take a boat tour of historic sites on Lake Marion on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, to complete your weekend of fun, prehistory, and living history.
We’re hoping to have more than 1,000 visitors this year, so we need lots of volunteers. Our budget is extremely lean this year, as is State Parks’, so we’re really counting more on our volunteers than usual to help us put on this event. Please consider volunteering between 10 AM – 2 PM on Friday for behind the scenes set-ups (“stage dressing,” if you like), in addition to the usual front lines madness on Saturday!
You may have heard by now that most volunteers’ favorite activity is taking Lantern Tour groups through the woods on Friday evening. If you sign up for Fri. evening duty, please bring a flashlight with you and wear comfortable closed shoes.
You can choose your challenge all day Saturday – we need people for the welcome/ program table, shelter exhibits, ASSC tent, “camel patrol” (fetching drinks or snacks and watching exhibits for hungry, thirsty demonstrators who need a break) children's activities, demonstration assistance, sound system, and announcements. You don’t have to sign up for the entire day (unless you want to, of course!). Our greatest need is 8:30 – 11:30 AM and 1:30 – 3:30 PM. Sign-up slots are usually 2 hours minimum.
So whether you’re professional, avocational, or student, I’ve got your free pass and assignment waiting. You can brag about those tour stories and “Festival Feet” for years!
Sign
up today before you forget! Call me (Lesley Drucker, Festival Coordinator) at 803/787-4169 or FAX me
at 253/322-4580.
SEAC
Volunteers Needed
Nov.
12-15, Charlotte
Volunteers
We
are seeking student volunteers to help at the registration desk and in the
session rooms. Individuals who are
savvy about Powerpoint and data projectors are especially encouraged to come
forward. We will waive the
registration fee for students who can volunteer at least six hours, in one or
more blocks (but we will be happy to have you volunteer for more time). You will also be entitled to one free drink at the Thursday
night reception at the Museum of the New South.
If you have already registered for the meeting and wish to volunteer, we
will reimburse your registration fee. Please contact the organizers at
with your name, contact information, and the days and
hours you can volunteer. We will
need help from about 3 p.m. on Wednesday through at least Saturday at noon.
News
from some of your Professors
Dr.
Gail Wagner writes:
I
went straight from the last day of exams and commencement and into a six-week
archaeological field school in Camden with undergraduate and graduate students.
Despite being plagued by rain (and mosquitoes) and being flooded out of the site
where we originally wanted to work, we had a productive season testing a
multicomponent site located on the same property. I spent the rest of the summer
on smaller projects, including entering data for a four-county survey of
Mississippian-period sites in central South Carolina and starting to set up a
day-long symposium on the archaeology of the Catawba/Wateree River Valley for
the Southeastern Archaeological Conference this coming November. I spent a lot
of time doing improvements around my house, most notably digging a 90-foot
trench through clay to run electricity and water to my stables and my new horse,
Silver.
Dr.
Alice Kasakoff and Dr. John Adams write:
We
went to Sweden on May 5 to do a comparison between Sweden and the American North
in the 19th century, specifically Where are all the relatives ?
A study of spatial dispersion. Snow
was still on the ground ! And it was light far into the night. We
ate reindeer meat and cloudberries and spent a lot of time staring at computer
screeens but the project is launched!!!
Dr.
Chris Toumey writes:
I
spent much of this past summer working with Davis Baird [Philosophy] and other
USC faculty on a grant proposal to study societal implications of nanotechnology.
As you may know, there is a team of faculty here in Humanities and Social
Sciences who are working on various aspects of this question, and I am happy to
provide an anthropological voice to this work.
In addition, I have written and submitted several articles on medical
anthropology, including one on multiple genders and another one about an
ethnographic look at tobacco policy in a state legislature.
So my summer has been a very intense one in terms of writing.
Now I get to hold my breath and wait to see whether this writing bears
fruit in terms of publication and funding.
A
regular column letting you know what anthropology students are doing:
A
Day in the Life of Linda Ziegenbein, MA in
archaeology from our Department
This
year I have been an intern archaeologist for the South Carolina Army National
Guard. I work at the McCrady
Training Center at Fort Jackson. My
primary duties have been administrative: I have organized a Native American
consultation and a training workshop; I answer any questions they have about
archaeological practices or Federal or State regulations; and, I have been
working with the GIS layer of all archaeological sites on South Carolina Army
National Guard properties. My job
has become especially interesting since the invasion of Iraq.
I have a couple of caveats before I discuss what it has been like for me,
as an antiwar progressive, to work with the National Guard during wartime.
First, I am an Army brat and a part of a long line of enlisted soldiers.
In fact, I have had a member of my family involved in every U.S. war
since before the United States became the United States.
My grandfather served during World War II and my father in Vietnam.
My brother’s grandfather died with a metal plate in his head, which he
received after his Jeep was blown-up during the Korean War.
In short, I was raised to be a patriot: to have great reverence for this
country and great respect for people who serve in the armed forces.
Second, I work in the Environmental Office or, as my supervisor likes to
say, “for the good guys [and gals].” So,
while some of the people served in the military, they are all civilian State
employees. I am only peripherally
involved with any of the soldiers who train at McCrady or the National
Guardspeople who train them.
Having
made those caveats, I would argue that I have learned how to be a better
anthropologist during my sojourn at Fort Jackson in ways that would have
surprised me before. Even though my
opinions differ to varying degrees from my co-workers, there is only one person
with whom I cannot speak about the current crisis. With him, I simply close my office door when he talks about
bombing Iraq and he stays away when I argue for seeking peaceful alternatives to
war. The rest of my co-workers have
taught me to envision a substitute to acrimonious debate or scornful silence.
At least once a week since the beginning of the war, someone’s office
becomes a place of communication. We
all discuss our opinions about what is happening and what should be done.
Regardless of how heated the discussion becomes or how widely diverging
our views, we are all able to leave with our relationships and friendship
intact. This is in marked contrast
to some anthropology classes I have been in or have heard about where people are
laughed at for believing in the Christian Creation story or for having an
opinion that is in the minority (such as one in support of the war).
These stories should concern us greatly because when academia ceases to
be a place where one’s ideas are subject to debate but one is free to have
those ideas, it loses what is essential to academia.
My experience with the South Carolina Army National Guard has taught me a
lot, but most of all it has taught me what it feels like to hold a minority
opinion and how liberating it is to not be reviled for holding it.
That’s all for this issue. Keep you eyes peeled for the next issue of Field Notes in early October