Time Schedule:
Keith Hall
B CUSP 107
Bothell Campus
Through collaborative and interdisciplinary learning, students develop a knowledge base, skills, habits of inquiry, and imaginative vision. Focuses on individuals, society. Offered: A.
Class description
Taught by an economist and an anthropologist, this course will explore the economies of cars, houses, and work (with a focus on the United States in its global context). This class will not only help you understand the economy you are entering, it will give you a greater understanding of how work, home, and dreams of the future are interconnected. How are cars and houses made? How do we buy them, and why do we buy the ones we do? What is work today? What is a good job? By studying concepts such as innovation, and institutions like the corporation and labor unions, we will examine how today’s economy is organized, how it came into existence, and where it might be heading. The class will introduce you to the basics of economics, organizational theory, and anthropology; giving you a chance to explore ethnographically the intersections of economy and culture (from car shows through horseplay in the workplace). Methods used in class will include lecture, discussion, field trips, films, short fiction, basic quantitative analysis, ethnography, and creative group projects.
Student learning goals
Be able to understand, and display mastery of, the basic concepts of Economics.
Be able to understand, and display mastery of, the basic concepts of Anthropology
A grasp of the cultural meanings of economic activity. Understand the intersections of Economy and Culture in the United States
The ability to research and write at the college level
Be able to do Ethnography
General method of instruction
Lecture, discussion, quantitative analysis, modeling, ethnography, field trips, and group projects
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Class assignments include group discussions, group presentations, multiple writing assignments, reading from multiple sources.
Grades are based on exams, quizzes, homework, and papers.
