Feb 12, | ANTHROPOLO
Watch Dr. Boroditsky’s talk about language and thought. Some researchers have suggested that a person’s language determines what he or she can and cannot think. This is called linguistic determinism or the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Another position says that language influences, but does not determine, what individuals can think. A third position is that language does not influence ones’ thoughts at all. Which position is best supported by the evidence presented in Dr. Boroditsky’s talk and our course materials? Does your opinion or personal experience fit with the science? Why or why not?
Feb 12, | ANTHROPOLO
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990) provides protection and repatriation rights for Native American communities seeking the return of human remains associated with their tribe or ancestral lands. In class, we’ve been thinking about how forensic anthropologists study human remains in many different contexts. As we wrap up class, let’s think about the ethics of working with human remains. If human remains are recovered from an archaeological site on federal land, NAGPRA applies.
1) Read the American Association of Physical Anthropology’s 2007 Position Statement regarding NAGPRA.
2) Read Over 9,000 Years Later, Kennewick Man Will Be Given a Native American Burial regarding the Kennewick Man Case and NAGPRA
3) Find one outside article that discusses a specific case involving NAGPRA and human remains.
4) Summarizing the case and describing how your article relates to NAGPRA.
5) Write some reflection on the importance of NAGPRA guidelines and the ethical issues that surround human remains. What responsibility do forensic anthropologists have to the scientific community and how do those conflict with the rights of the deceased and their living relatives?
