Anthropology 496
Senior Portfolio
Objectives:
Beginning the academic year 2001-2002, Anthropology 496-Portfolio Assembly is a major requirement for graduation in Anthropology. University education is a gateway to future endeavors. The scholarly and creative endeavors of anthropologists involve a wide range of methods of research and presentation, and the skills involved are applicable to a variety of situations outside of anthropology. Preparation of this portfolio will stimulate your awareness of how classroom learning relates to activities outside of the classroom. Each quarter the portfolios of graduating seniors will be available for you to consult, thus letting you feel how you are a part of a community “culture” of relating classroom education to a broader context.
Benefits of Portfolio Preparation:
Practicing skills of analysis, organization, and thoughtful self-presentation that will be valuable throughout your life and career
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You will gain experience in self-presentation including resume preparation |
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You assess specific skills you have gained so that you can articulate them to prospective employers or graduate programs in anthropology or other areas |
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You will compile products that demonstrate acquired skills |
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You will gain an opportunity for a retrospective view of your career as an undergraduate and how being an anthropology student has affected your values, capabilities, and goals. |
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Become your own archivist and analyst |
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In every course your take, make a list of the critico-creative thinking skills you are acquiring. |
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Be aware of the skills you are acquiring in specific 300-400 level classes; if you are not sure how these skills are used in a professional setting, discuss this with your instructor. Keep a notebook to write down these skills for each course for future reference |
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Remember that the skills you acquire during your anthropological studies are many and varied; they include but are not limited to: |
• critico-creative thinking/critical thinking
• writing
• numerical operations
• graphic skills
• analytical skills
• laboratory and field skills
• presentation-giving
• panel organizing and participation
• presentation of poster-papers
• fieldwork
• internship activities
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Begin collecting materials (class products) for your portfolio in your sophomore year (as you begin to take 300 and 400 level classes in your major). Refer to the “Portfolio contents” list for an idea of what these materials are. |
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In all your classes, keep in mind that you will want to save course materials for possible inclusion in your portfolio. Variety is useful. Save everything, including exams. Do not make a judgment at the time that something was not worth keeping; you may change your mind later. |
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In some cases, you may want to make a record of activities that don’t necessarily require a specific product for your instructor, for example, if you are a discussion group leader, you may want to collect evaluations, take photographs, or be video-taped. |
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If you have made a model, or some other type of object used in a class presentation, photograph it and write an explanation about it. |
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Consider including internships and specific skills classes (beyond the one class that is required) in your coursework |
Senior Year: Portfolio Presentation Sequence
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The last quarter before graduation, select an anthropology faculty to act as your portfolio coordinator and final evaluator of your portfolio. Each faculty member has their own individual Portfolio CRN (with the exception of Dr. Kimball who is only available for undergraduate advising & major evaluations) and they will need to do an override before you can register for Anth 496. |
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Register for Anthropology 496, Post-graduate preparation practicum, 1 credit |
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Compile materials for your portfolio |
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Turn in your portfolio for review |
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1. Table of contents
2. Resume/curriculum vita (c.v.)- highlighting
experience gained in college classes
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Consult your portfolio coordinator about any questions you may have. |
3. Summary of classes (including internships) taken in major (and others) with specific skills listed.
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Organize your materials into sections, as given in the list below |
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Use section dividers so that your materials are readily accessible |
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Put the materials into an 8 1/2 by 11 three ring binder (minimum ¾” wide) |
4. A minimum of two class products representing a variety of skills & activities, such as the following (this list is suggestive but not exhaustive).
A research paper based on published literature A research paper based on original data collection A transcript of an interview Photographs and descriptions of temporary presentation materials such as a poster, construction or display A video prepared as a research project A video or still photos of a presentation given in class An unusual lab involving background literature review and/or significant extra effort Essays or essay examinations that demonstrate critico-creative thinking Optional: additional class products.
5. Optional Entries:
Representation of anthropological web work
• A web page you have created or had significant input to
• A web-site you have created, web-mastered or significantly modified
• An anthropological chat room you established and took an active part in
• Any other significant web-work you did
Description of related extra-curricular activities
This includes such things as participating at professional conferences, volunteer work involving anthropological skills, serious study or travel abroad, etc.
Personal summary of experience/self-evaluation
Although optional, this item is recommended, because it will become important throughout your life to take stock of yourself. Evaluation of the skills or experiences you have acquired will assist you in making personal and professional decisions.
Letters of recommendation, summary evaluations from internships or other anthropologically relevant activities