Professor: Joukowsky Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 13 Total Enrollment: 15 Class Composition: Froshs: 4 Sophs: 2 Jrs: 5 Srs: 4 Concs: 4 Non-Concs: 7 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 1.60 Course Average: 1.55

In 'Global Origins of Plant and Animal Domestication,' students learn about why cultures progress from hunting and gathering to agriculture, and how domestication takes place in areas all over the world. This seminar focuses on allowing students to come up with their own theories about these issues. Most students said that a basic background in anthropology and/or archaeology is helpful for the course, but certainly not necessary.

Professor Joukowsky was good at facilitating class discussion. Much of the course consisted of just talking about the issues raised in the readings, with the professor occasionally throwing in her own ideas. She was always open to questions, and happy to explain something in more detail whenever a student needed her to do so.

Assignments for the class consisted of readings from the course packet, one two-page paper, and one final eight-page paper and presentation. In addition, each student was assigned a couple of specific days, over the course of the semester, when he or she was responsible for presenting the reading to the class. Reviewers explained that these presentations, like the rest of the class, were very laid-back and not a reason to stress out. Students averaged about three to five hours of work outside of class each week.

The main criterion for taking the course is an interest in the subject itself. If you have that interest, there's a lot to get out of a small class like this one, centered around discussion. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved during class, and to develop your own new ideas about the subject at hand.

If you're looking for a small class where you can really take a close look at global issues of domestication, this is your chance. The focus on the students themselves, and their ideas, makes for an interesting classroom experience.

View AN/0101 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.