Anthropology

Disease and Culture

ANT4532

This course delves into the cultural dimensions of illness, shedding light on how diverse societies perceive, interpret, and respond to diseases. Understanding the cultural frameworks surrounding health is essential for effective healthcare delivery, as it influences patterns of disease transmission, healthcare-seeking behaviors, and treatment adherence.

Moreover, this class facilitates a nuanced comprehension of the social determinants of health, addressing disparities and highlighting the significance of cultural competence in healthcare practices. Ultimately, exploring disease within cultural contexts enriches my perspectives, fostering empathy and critical thinking in navigating the complex intersections of health and culture.

Biological Anthropology

ANT2511

The biological anthropology class holds paramount significance in providing a profound understanding of the biological aspects of human evolution, variation, and adaptation. This course delves into the intricate mechanisms that have shaped the human species over time, exploring topics such as genetics, skeletal biology, and primatology.

This class sheds light on the concept of biological diversity among human populations, offering a nuanced perspective on issues related to race, ethnicity, and health. Ultimately, this class was instrumental in fostering a comprehensive understanding of humanity's biological foundations, promoting critical thinking, and equipping students with the tools to navigate complex questions about human origins and diversity.

Capstone

ANT4945

This course is designed to bring together an interplay of ideas gained through the courses required for the anthropology major. Students will debate, discuss, and critically assess the different perspectives and approaches within the discipline to current issues and problems related to the chosen topic. This course should be taken near the end of students' program.

This class allowed me to combine my knowledge from multiple areas in thinking critically about the course topic. The course assignments are all designed around summative learning outcomes for Anthropology major.

Forensic Anthropology

ANT3520

This class provided a broad overview of an applied field of biological anthropology.
Forensic anthropologists use knowledge of skeletal anatomy to answer questions of medico-legal
significance. This typically involves the identification of human skeletal remains and the
interpretation of the circumstances surrounding their death.

While this course did not teach laboratory or field proficiency in the techniques of forensic anthropology, it outlines the concepts underlying the recovery and analysis of human remains, the determination of the biological profile (including age, sex, ancestry, and stature), and the interpretation of skeletal trauma and pathological conditions.

Human Origins

ANT4586

This class delved into various methods and theories used to reconstruct hominin behavior from skeletal and archaeological data. This exploration has deepened my understanding of the biocultural nature of human evolution and enabled me to synthesize genetic, fossil, and archaeological data. I have learned to explain the principles underlying hominin taxonomy and nomenclature, and to critically review issues surrounding hominin classification.

Additionally, I can describe the major skeletal adaptations for bipedalism and list the morphological traits that characterize various hominin taxa. My skills include identifying casts and skeletal remains to the species level based on these traits. Furthermore, I have constructed a framework for hominin evolution that considers geography, chronology, morphology, DNA, and material culture.

Anthropology Background

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Projects & Papers

This section highlights my academic papers and research projects, showcasing the skills, insights, and experiences I’ve gained across anthropology at the University of West Florida. Here, you can explore my work analyzing human behavior, health, and culture

Research

This section highlights my research projects presented at conferences, showcasing my ability to communicate findings, engage with professional audiences, and contribute to scholarly discussions. It demonstrates how I translate research into actionable insights and share knowledge with peers, experts, and the broader anthropology community.

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