Rather, it is a medical anthropological examination of the variety of beliefs human beings have about alcohol and its consumption, and the range of behaviors they exhibit after they have consumed it. The course examines the biological effects of alcohol on human beings, various theories that have been proposed to account for human sociocultural variation, and the current state of medical anthropological research on alcoholic beverage use. Readings include a course pack, a cross-cultural collection of articles, and several ethnographic case studies of drinking and drunkenness. Material presented in lectures forms a significant part of the material on which students are tested, thus class attendance is important. Requirements include a 15-page research paper, an oral summary which is presented in class, a midterm, and a final exam.
Exams are a mix of essay, definition, and multiple-choice questions.
The course is taught by Professor Marshall. Students examine a wide range of materials recently recovered from Iowa archaeological sites. Readings cover theoretical, methodological, and technical topics. Discussions, quizzes, and a final lab project are based upon the readings and lab work. The course is intended for students with strong archaeological interests or archaeological field experience.