Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for ATH 202 Fall 2025


Course Number:
ATH 202
Course Title:
Traditional Cultural Knowledge
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Analyzes traditional cultural knowledge related to resource use, preservation and allocation, as well as interactions with the natural world, such as herbal medicine, or working with the weather, the seasons, or the elements. Explores how systems of power, such as colonialism or ethnocide, have impacted the variety and richness of traditional cultural knowledge found in the world today. Evaluates the intersection of science with traditional cultural knowledge. Applies anthropological concepts, theories, and methods to study and compare how traditional cultural knowledge is learned, shared and transmitted between generations. Compares different types of traditional ideological, social, economic and technological cultural knowledge in a variety of cultures and world regions from an anthropological perspective. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Apply anthropological concepts, theories, and methods to study and compare how traditional cultural knowledge is learned, shared  and transmitted between generations.
  2. Explain how systems of power, such as colonialism or ethnocide, have impacted the variety and richness of traditional cultural knowledge found in the world today. 
  3. Compare different types of traditional ideological, social, economic and technological cultural knowledge found in a variety of cultures and  world regions from an anthropological perspective.
  4. Describe the intersection of Western scientific thought and traditional cultural knowledge.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

General education philosophy statement

Philosophy Statement This course covers different kinds of traditional cultural knowledge, such as TEK (traditional ecological knowledge) introduced in introductory cultural anthropology classes. By taking this course, students will develop critical and analytical skills to analyze different kinds of traditional ideological, social, economic and technological cultural knowledge from an anthropological perspective. The class compares the ways people in traditional cultures around the world learn and use knowledge related to resource use, preservation and allocation. The class also covers topics such as herbal medicine, traditional ways of working with the weather, the seasons, or the elements Students will also study how traditional cultural knowledge is learned and passed on from one generation to another through storytelling and the process of enculturation. The class explores how social change and systems of power, such as colonialism, have impacted the richness and variety of traditional cultural knowledge found in the world today. In addition, students will critically reflect on their own values, world view and experiences that are rooted in the traditional cultural knowledge related to their own ancestry or family history. .

Aspirational Goals

  • increase  student awareness of traditional ecological knowledge in the world today
  • demonstrate how traditional cultural knowledge can be used as a powerful and effective way to address social and biological  issues related to climate change
  • encourage students to investigate the traditional cultural knowledge associated with their own ancestry, family or social background.

Course Activities and Design

Course Activities may include any or all of the following:

  • lectures
  • class exercises
  • presentations
  • demonstrations
  • discussions
  • documentary film viewing and analysis
  • guest speakers
  • field trips
  • community based learning activities

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategies may include any or all of the following:

  •  class discussions 
  • midterm and final exams 
  •  papers
  • quizzes
  •  small-group exercises
  •  field exercises
  • projects
  • community based learning exercises or assessments
  •  student presentations

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Course  content:

Themes:

  • Describe traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
  • Compare different kinds of traditional ideological, social, economic and technological cultural knowledge
  • Analyze traditional cultural knowledge from a cross-cultural and anthropological perspective
  • Examine how traditional cultural knowledge is learned, shared and transmitted between generations through agents of enculturation, such as storytelling
  • Describe how traditional cultural knowledge has been impacted by culture contact and culture change

Concepts:

  • traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
  • enculturation
  • acculturation
  • ethnocide
  • ethnosphere
  • colonialism
  • participant observation
  • storytelling
  • cultural relativism
  • ethnocentrism

Issues:

  • continuing loss of traditional cultural knowledge in the world today
  • comparison of traditional cultural knowledge in different societies around the world
  • use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to address environmental issues and problems
  • integration of traditional cultural knowledge with approaches to cultural resource management
  • integration of western science and traditional cultural knowledge in different fields of study