This Jan-term program employs the construct of “culture” to explain the endless differences among human groups across time and space. Through the comparative approach of anthropology, we can better understand ourselves and others in order to cope with the multicultural and diverse environments that we live in.
By the end of the program, students are expected to have developed a framework for understanding a diverse and constantly changing world system, have acquired skills to communicate that understanding, and are in a position to suggest solutions to contemporary world problems as we strive to serve our families, our communities, our nation, and the world.
The program starts with a lecture every day at 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Sundays are free days.
After each lecture we will have a site visitation (e.g., Polynesian museums, temples, burial sites, botanic gardens, ethnic musical and theatrical performances, ethnic markets and foods) illustrating and elaborating on the concepts covered in the lectures.
In addition to daily field trips, we will have ample opportunities to attend ethnic musical and theatrical performances every evening (6:00-9:30 p.m.) in the open air free of charge at the Waikiki beaches. You are advised to go in groups.
Raja S. Tanas, Ph.D.
Faculty Director of the Program
Department of Sociology
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA 99251-1105
