•  
  •  
 
Spectrum

Section I: Written Works

Publication Date

2026

    Abstract

    Section I features work done by various students across the subfields of anthropology. The first submissions are from three students from Dr. Meghan Howey’s Spring 2026 ANTH 515: Method and Theory in Archaeology course, with a short forward by Dr. Howey. This collection of research papers represents one hands-on research project from that course—Trash Talk. As Dr. Howey states “When archaeologists recover artifacts -- material objects made, used, and/or modified by past peoples -- it is often for the humblest of reasons: because they were discarded as everyday trash”. This assignment put students Taylor Brown, Connor Lincoln, and Brady Proctor in a position to examine their own lives based on the trash they accrue. Interpreting past lived experiences and behaviors from the archaeological record is a challenge; this project is designed to make students confront that challenge and to examine their own past lives through archaeological theory. Each of their works acts as a unique lens through which to view the archaeological record and our interpretation of it.

    The next written work is authored by Katherine Rule who presents a reflection essay based on a large project completed for Dr. Sara Withers’ ANTH 665: Anthropology of Migration and Movement course. This work, entitled “Crossing Borders: Teaching Migration Through Experiential Learning”, asks if students can move beyond abstract theory and into tangible experience through the use of a role-playing game. This game and Katherine’s analysis of it is a powerful example of anthropology’s ability to creatively examine complex political and cultural phenomena like migration. Matt Jasper’s “Decreasing the Prevalence of HIV/AIDS Misinformation and Stigma in South Africa”, takes the form of a Policy Brief for Dr. Casey Golomski’s ANTH 685 Gender, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa course. This work examines the roles that intentional misinformation and stigma play in hampering the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Matt provides a set of policy recommendations to affect positive change in this region.

    This document is currently not available here.

    Share

    COinS