Posted 15 days ago in 
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I read with a heavy heart on that the anthropology program at Mesa State College is slated for the chopping block. The college states that it has graduated only eight students in the past six years, however, many programs of study require at least the basics in cultural studies, which will apparently not be available in the future as the department is phased out.
Mesa State College will now graduate professionals into the fields of education and teaching, nursing, psychology, medicine and sociology and human services without a basic knowledge of human culture, non-western thought and diversity.
It is unfortunate that Mesa State College has made a statement that diversity and cultural awareness are no longer a part of this liberal arts college. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and minored in anthropology and geographic information systems. My courses work included Native American studies, ethnographic methods, religion and culture and ethnopsychology, to name a few.
Without my background in anthropology, I would not have been able to secure work in the field of archaeology. This program of study gave me a strong background in Ute studies, politics and history, methods for conducting anthropological research, teaching to Native American students, as well as specifics on Native American religions and lifeways.
To my knowledge, Mesa State College never sought the public comments regarding “community demand for graduates.” The demand is there, as at least two students enrolled in the archaeology minor have had seasonal employment with a local firm. Without a basic knowledge of anthropology, however, those students will unemployable. So, kudos to Mesa State for casting off one of the basic tenets of college education: to broaden the cultural horizon of its students. I do hope, for the students’ sake, that Mesa State College will revisit this decision.
NICOLE DARNELL
Loma
10 Responses to “Cutting anthropology program does students a disservice”
Posted November 6th, 2009 at 9:17 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Amen.
Posted November 6th, 2009 at 11:14 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Point of clarification: the general education courses in anthropology will still be taught.
Posted November 7th, 2009 at 6:58 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
As a former archaeologist with a couple of degrees in anthropology, I find Mesa State’s decision reasonable. It is a matter of budget priority. Eight students in six years is dismal attraction.
Even while acquiring my degrees, I felt archaeology should really be a part of Paleontology or some other science. As to the diversity argument, the college is deluged with diversity classes of one type or another. Also, it’s not like one couldn’t get background on the Utes elsewhere in the cirriculum.
Orpheus pointed that one can still take anthropology or archaeology classes.
Posted November 7th, 2009 at 11:25 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
It doesn’t change the fact that the school is primarily a trade school with excellent public safety and nursing curricula and, above all, an ever expanding “jock” curriculum supportd by expensive facilities. We know we badly need nurses and well trained public safety employees but with an ever changing and complex civilization shouldn’t we be looking to graduate students well grounded in all aspects of our culture so people are more adaptable for change as it occurs? Will a heritage of great soccer and lacrosse teams be the kind of emphasis that will provide the kind of versatility badly needed in graduates in the future?
Posted November 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
John,
Pray tell, do elaborate. Can you give specific examples of why you think the school is primarily a trade school? Do you have inside information? Do you attend board meetings? Do you attend curriculum meetings? Are you privvy to in-depth information that the rest of the public is not? It would be nice to hear specifics instead of generalities, or perhaps even an informed opinion. You seem to have much knowledge and a pulse on the higher education of today. Please share.
Posted November 8th, 2009 at 6:26 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
orpheus, Will Mesa State continue to provide anthropology classes five years from now? What about when the current Cultural Anthropology Prof. eventually retires? Will he be replaced by another cultural anthropologist? You seem to be in the know, and some are very curious.
Mesa State is expanding their arts programs and jock programs so that they can fill their new buildings. Will cutting one program will offset the generation of lacrosse, mens diving, mens swimming, dance, enlarging the criminal justice program, etc?
Mesa State initiated and oversees Western Slope Community College- which seems to be pretty ‘trade’ oriented to me.
Dana, Interesting that you think archaeology should be a part of paleontology. Yes it is a science, but in this region a very very firm background in anthropology is a must if you every want to learn to interpret your findings. What are the other diversity based programs?
Where else in all of Mesa State’s curriculum can you get the history of the Ute. The single class on Native American history is focused on eastern and midwestern cultures.
John: “shouldn’t we be looking to graduate students well grounded in all aspects of our culture so people are more adaptable for change as it occurs? Will a heritage of great soccer and lacrosse teams be the kind of emphasis that will provide the kind of versatility badly needed in graduates in the future?” I couldn’t have said it better!!
Posted November 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
nickidarnell: “Mesa State initiated and oversees Western Slope Community College- which seems to be pretty ‘trade’ oriented to me.”
It is not only Western Slope Community College that is “trade oriented”, apparently Mesa State itself is, as are now most colleges and universities. Trades are certainly important but so is the ability to understand the world in which we live if we are to make wise and well-informed decisions as to the future of society and country. That consideration appears to have been left behind in our entire educational system, K-12 through post-graduate schools. It not only appears to be, but is the result of long years of neglect and, not only our devotion to, but our addiction to materialism.
Posted November 9th, 2009 at 12:23 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Nicki,
You pose good questions. I wish I had the answers. I’m not in the know, I just remember reading that anthropology courses will still be taught. That’s all. A community college is trade oriented; that is it’s purpose. It is a branch of Mesa State, at least that’s what the marketing materials say.
Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:14 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Dana - “As to the diversity argument, the college is deluged with diversity classes of one type or another.”
I’ve been thinking about this and would still like to know what you consider to be diversity based classes.
Posted November 9th, 2009 at 7:24 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
To Mesa’s credit, they do have a course on teaching to diversity. So, at least that one, tiny bit is covered!
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