Professor: Gould Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 12 Total Enrollment: 15 Class Composition: Froshs: 3 Sophs: 4 Jrs: 4 Srs: 2 Concs: 3 Non-Concs: 6 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 1.90 Course Average: 1.86

'Hunter-Gatherer Adaptations' is a course in which students are able to examine hunter-gatherer societies from an ecological perspective and to learn how these relate to the environment. Students explained that no prior background is really necessary for the class, but some agreed that a previous Anthropology class might be helpful.

Professor Gould was always able to include interesting stories and personal experiences in class, but students pointed out that he could get off-topic very easily, which was sometimes frustrating for them. He also facilitated interesting discussions of the readings but tended to let some students dominate these more than others. Reviewers also praised his use of slides in the course, actually using the word Œfun' to describe them.

Readings throughout the semester included books, articles, and essays. Most students spent about five hours a week doing work outside of class, but this varied a lot depending on whether they actually did all of the reading. Other than that, there were no assignments until a twenty-page research paper and a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester. Many students complained that the assignments could have been better spread out; there was too little work during semester, and too much at the end.

Since there were no regular assignments, students found that it was easy to fall behind in the reading. Many people were motivated by Professor Gould's enthusiasm for the subject, but still let themselves end up putting less effort into the class than they might have done, had there been more frequent assignments to check up on their progress.

This course involves a lot of student discussion, with many opportunities to participate in class. Of course, the diligent student who keeps up with the reading assignments even when he doesn't 'have to' is going to get more out of it. You might want to consider this, if you're interested in the course.

View AN/0151 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.