News
04/11/2012 SSD Anthropology Presenter & Mentor Listing
April 06, 2012
Anthropology
Poster Henry Hall Atrium 28
Role of Policy to Sustain International Development Programs -An
Ethno Scientific Analysis
Participants attending from 12:00 p.m.
until 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Kelsey Davies
This study aimed to identify the role of policy in the contribution of sustainability in community based development programs in international communities. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in developing and continuing programs in many parts of the world including Kenya, China, and Canada. I have conducted a survey with the employees of two international NGOs, employees who have influence in the decision making processes. I analyzed the policies and strategies of the organizations and their contributions to sustainability through the programs these organizations implement. Through this analysis, areas of strength as well as areas needing improvement were found.
Mentor: Azizur Molla
Poster Henry Hall Atrium 63
Let's Talk about Sex: Testing Multiple Methods for Sex Estimation on
Metacarpals and Metatarsals from Um-El Jamal, Northern Jordan.
Participants attending from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Presenter:
Caitlin Hoop
Three methods for sex identification were tested on a sample of metacarpals and metatarsals excavated in 1996 from a commingled deposit in the Byzantine tomb,Umm El Jamal. The purpose of the research was to test both the ease of replicability as well as accuracy among the three methods and to refine the minimum number of individual's data for the site. Methods tested included Scheuer & Elkington(1993),Case & Ross(2006),and Barrio(2006). Results showed 71% similarity across the three methods for metacarpals. Case & Ross had the easiest method to repeat, measuring only axial length on metacarpals and metatarsals,and based on that one measurement determining sex from tables previously created. Madden and Brashler's research on Um-ElJamal previously determined the minimum number of adult individuals using all skeletal elements to be 7,this study suggests 4 based solely on the metacarpals which fits well with previous research. The MNI based on metatarsals parallels the previous MNI of 7.
Mentor: Gwyn Madden
Poster Henry Hall Atrium 71
Monitoring Quagga Mussel Growth using Remotely Operated Vehicles
Participants attending from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Presenter:
Mara Deckinga
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) can be used to monitor quagga mussel growth and to map threatened archaeological sites. Inexpensive ROVs made of PVC pipes are another option for researchers studying our underwater heritage. With the support of the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, video observation of mussel colonization was made on artificial substrate over 2 months. Inspection of the substrate was conducted every 2 weeks by video observation and visual inspection. Video from a professional ROV and a PVC pipe ROV were compared. Adult mussels migrated to the box. ROV footage showed algae discoloration, but the grid system restricted ability to count mussels. The inexpensive PVC pipe ROV worked as well as the professional-grade ROV for the purposes of monitoring mussel growth. Use of inexpensive ROV technology is a viable option for mapping the effects of mussel growth on underwater archaeological sites.
Mentors: Mark Schwartz, Mark Gleason, PhD
Poster Kirkhof Center KC 68
The Geography of Nutrition in Grand Rapids
Participants attending
from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jeffrey Mahowski
There are various factors that influence nutrition, within social sciences it can be effective to look at geography and type of nutrition. Does the frequency of higher and lesser quality nutrition outlets correlate to economic conditions in an area? Data were gathered from CRI database, USDA Farmers Market Directory, and Google Maps. Number of fast food and healthy alternatives were compared in two sample groups of five neighborhoods each in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In neighborhoods with >15% in poverty, 36 fast food and 14 healthy alternatives were observed. In neighborhoods with 15% of population in poverty and fast food restaurants. Healthy alternatives show noticeable disparity between sample groups, with an observed difference of 1275.81 per capita between samples. The results support the hypothesis showing more poor nutritional outlets in poverty stricken areas.
Mentor: Gwyn Madden
Poster Kirkhof Center KC 75
GIS Mapping of Charlton Park
Participants attending from 11:00
a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Presenters: Janet Brashler, Aaron Howe
This poster presentation uses ARC GIS technology to understand spatial relationships and site formation processes at Indian Landing, a mid to late 19th century historic site located in Charlton Park, Barry County, Michigan. Originally thought to be a Methodist mission school for Native Americans, historic documentation and artifacts recovered from the site suggest later uses as a farmstead. GIS analysis details the depositional history, site formation processes and uses of the site, and makes possible more sophisticated interpretations.
Mentor:
Poster Kirkhof Center KC 81
Human Stature and Nutrition in the Context of Roman and Medieval
London
Participants attending from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Emily Teall
Human stature, derived from anthropometric measurements of skeletal remains, is a valuable tool to explore how diet and social factors influence health. This tool was used to answer the research question, how does the stature among the occupants of London change from Roman to Medieval times, and what does this indicate about health and sustenance in relation to sex? Adult skeletons of estimated age 18 or older were used, and only those in the sample with femurs and humeri present. The data that were used in this study were supplied by the Museum of London's Centre for Human Bioarchaeology (WORD Database 2011). The primary pair of variables that was analyzed was sex and stature; 'Roman' and 'Medieval' made up a categorical third variable, time. The synthetic results were that the biological and socially-perceived identity of sex had a relationship with the quality of nutrition experienced by individuals living in London during the time period studied.
Mentor: Gwyn Madden
Oral Presentation 11:30 a.m.
Kirkhof Center 2263
Health Status of Homeless People and Their Own Perspectives
Presenter: Sweta Basnet
According to the 2009-2011 report of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 636,017 people experienced homelessness on a given night. An ethnographic survey and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain life histories and ethnographic data on personal health and demographic characteristics from homeless individuals living in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. This study has answered questions such as: What are the causes of homelessness?, What factors contribute to poor health of the study population? What are the negative effects of homelessness on health? Preliminary findings show that 51.4% of the individuals reported barriers in obtaining proper health care while more than 70% have reported one or more health problems. The study findings will be helpful to design a socially suitable healthcare service delivery system to serve homeless population in downtown Grand Rapids as well as other US downtown areas.
Mentor: Azizur Molla
Oral Presentation 12:00 p.m.
Kirkhof Center 2259
West Michigan Church Signs
Presenter: Danielle Negus
The sign in front of a church is generally the first impression nonmembers receive about that church. From the message that the church selects to put on the sign, people form their opinion about that church regarding whether or not it is somewhere they would be interested in going, if they think their ideas would fit in with that congregation, or even basic ideas about the congregation itself. But interesting questions remain, specifically the viewpoint of the congregations of these churches. How do church members feel about their sign? What do they prefer to see on the sign? What do they believe is the best use for their sign? This project examines these questions for several churches representing several denominations in West Michigan. Data gathered from surveying of church members and interviewing those individuals responsible for maintaining the signs are analyzed and presented in this paper.
Mentor: Heather Van Wormer
Oral Presentation 12:30 p.m.
Kirkhof Center 2259
Fluted Point Sites in Three Michigan Counties
Presenter: Stefanie Gasko
Understanding Paleoindian lifeway is a major question in North American archaeology, traditionally approached by studying the distribution of diagnostic stone tools. In central West Michigan, systematic survey and evaluation of Paleoindian archaeological sites is limited, precluding asking questions of subsistence and settlement. This research explores new data collected through a previously untapped resource, artifact collectors. Results of this study expanded the site record, providing a valuable resource for future inquiries in Paleoindian site location, but have failed to show any significant correlation between site location and environment. Further inquiry is needed to expand the sample size and explore other variables.
Mentor: Janet Brashler
Oral Presentation 1:00 p.m.
Kirkhof Center 2216
Deciphering the Past: Using Diagnostic Artifacts to Discover the
Purpose of the Indian Landing Site (20BA02)
Presenter: Matthew Darnell
Diagnostic artifacts are any artifact found on an archaeological site that can be used to specify the time range and purpose of the site when it was in use. This presentation is focused on diagnostic artifacts from Indian Landing, a multi-component archaeological site in Barry County, Michigan. The research focused on ceramics, coins, buttons, and other artifacts that offered some clue into the occupation and purpose of Indian Landing. Through diagnostic analysis and historical research, several key facts about Indian Landing have been uncovered: that the site had a limited time range of use (at least 1843 to 1865), there was at one time a Native American presence, it was at one time the location of a school house and a mission, it was not occupied by wealthy people, and the site experienced the effects of the Civil War. The research reveals not only the importance, purpose, and time frame of Indian Landing but also the necessity of diagnostic artifacts on archaeological sites.
Mentor: Dale Borders
Kirkhof Center 2216
Mamas, Travel Agents and Lot Lizards: Female Gender Stereotypes and
Trucking
Presenter: Stephanie Sicard
This presentation, as part of a larger on going study, examines gender stereotypes associated with the occupation of truck driving. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the over three million people who make their living as truck drivers, only six percent are female. Using content analysis, gender roles and stereotypes are explored by analyzing a sample of The Trucker, a twice-monthly publication available both online and in print distributed to grocery stores, truck stops and other locations. Preliminary results suggest that women rarely drive solo and are employed most frequently as part of a husband-wife team, or work in dispatch or other office environments. Further, preliminary analysis of photos of women in The Trucker suggest that most women are represented as "feminine", while relatively few women are "androgynous" or "masculine" in how they are represented.
Mentor: Janet Brashler