Kevin E. Smith

kesmith@mtsu.edu

Ed Kick

Sociology/Anthropology

N/A

Peck Hall 318

New Technology

N/A

Anthropology requires a thorough and detailed understanding of computers and related technologies. Upon graduation, majors are presumed to have a basic understanding of microscopy, digital imaging, mapping, artifact analysis and computer data manipulation. To successfully compete in the job market, student must receive hands-on experience with the new tools employed in the process of collecting, interpreting, and presenting anthropological data. Integration of this equipment into numerous existing courses will provide this opportunity. Approximately 250 students/semester would benefit from the proposed acquisitions. With the exception of gradational sieves and fossil casts, the equipment will be used as a technology package -- moving from the direct acquisition of data (calipers/balance) through analysis and finally to data summaries in print and electronic format. If funded the department will provide a locking cabinet to secure the equipment in Peck Hall 318. Equipment listed in this proposal will be used to varying extents in most upper-division anthropology courses for graded assignments and in field archaeology and ethnology courses for data acquisition and manipulation.