Research and Study Abroad at the Intersection of Indigenous Culture and Environment
Historical Ecology of Amazonia
ANTH 3710-01
Summer Abroad Iyarina Ecuador 2018
Prof. William Balée, Instructor
Course Description
Interactions between local peoples and Amazonian landscapes from prehistory to the present. Amazonian landscapes as an analytic unit will be examined from the interdisciplinary perspective of historical ecology. Changes and development of forests and savannas since the arrival of human beings. Historical, ecological, cultural forces involved in biological and edaphic diversity in modern forests. Long-term effects of prehistoric and historic human occupations and manipulation of landscapes. Implications for conservation and development.
Course Requirements
journal (40%)
oral and written posting of daytime field findings on language, culture, environment (40%) [due in evenings] (40%)
exam on readings [retakable as p/f] 20%
Readings:
Week
Date(s)
Topic or Activity
reading
other assignment (evenings)
6/2/18
SAT
Arrive in Quito
6/3/18
SUN
1
TU
6/5/18
--
W
6/6/18
--
TH
6/7/18
Introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon - Forest Hike
--
journal entry; discussion of field findings
2
F
6/8/ 18
competing theories of Amazon forest origins
Piperno 2015; Stahl 2015 (The Holocene);
discussion; journal entry on reading
Sat
6/9
No class
Sun
6/10
No class
Mon
6/11
Learn to identify 5 or 6 plant families
--
journal entry; discussion
Tu
6/12
historical ecology
Balee 2006
discussion
3
W
16/13
archaeology of the forest
Myers et al. 2003
journal; discussion
4
TH
6/14
on indigenous knowledge: what do they know, and when did they know it?
Balee 2010a
(Diversity article)
journal; discussion
F
6/15
Short canoe trip into Misahualli
--
discussion
Sat
6/16
No class
Sun
6/17
No class
Mon
6/18
field trip to kitchen gardens
Denevan and McCann
discussion
Tu
6/19
field trip to 40 year old forest
Balee 2010b (Tipiti article)
journal; discussion
Wed
6/20
earthwork construction
Watling et al. 2015
journal; discussion
TH
6/21
anthropogenesis and language
Balee 2009 in C. Adams et al. (eds.)
paper on the origins of the cacao word; discussion
F
6/22
trip to the Yasuní National Park
Sat
6/23
guided exploration of Yasuni Park: biology and ecology
Sun
6/24
guided exploration of Yasuni Park: language and culture
Mon
6/25
return trip from Yasuní National Park
Tu
6/26
free day (to compensate for weekend classes)
W
6/27
freer day (to compensate for weekend classes)
TH
6/28
emic anthrpogenesis (indigenous views of landscape transformation in the Amazon)
Swanson 2017
finish journal entries; take retakable exam
F
6/29
wrap up lecture; free time