ANTHROPOLOGY NEWSLETTER
(No. 4) April 1977
Department of Philosophy/Anthropology
I.

NEWS ITEMS
The Anthropology major (Soc/Anthro) at BSC is increasing in popularity.
A recent check with the Registrar's Office reveals that there are officially
14 majors in Anthropology. In addition, approximately 15 other students are
following the Soc/Anthro curriculum as a "minor" or as a potential major
in the future.
The Soc/Anthro B.A. at BSC is designed specifically to allow a great degree
of flexibility for individual interests. A student may, by pursuing the
Soc/Anthro major concentrate in sociology and soeial work, as well as the
traditional areas of anthropology. Thus, by following a unique course
series a student may specialize in Archaeology, Social Anthropology, Ethnology,
Physical Anthropology at the undergraduate level. All of these options are
available within the Soc/Anthro program.
At times the professors of Anthropology at BSC discuss the addition of courses
to the Anthropology curriculum. There is considerable need felt, for example,
for a course in African Ethnography (study of native cultures). Suggestions
have also been made about another course in Physical Anthropology inasmuch
as the only specifically Physical Anthropology course offered at this time
is (46.405) Primates. The professors, Bob, Bob, and David, welcome your
suggestions about new course development and we urge you to comment freely
and critically on courses now offered or course precedures, field trips, etc.
At this writing 26 students are braced for the great anthropological
expedition to the wilds of the vast, vaguely charted, mysterious land west
of the Mississippi: the Archaeology tour is on track and on schedule to
Arizona, Mexico, New Mexico • • • leaving May 16.
Next Fall, the Anthropology professors will be engaged in an experimental
design to team-teach many of the Anthropology courses. There is, thus, a
good chance that the Anthropology course(s) you may have signed for this
fall will be conducted by two professors earnestly trying to convince you
that universal truth comes from the person giving the lecture at a given
time and that the other professor is a nice guy, and a gentleman.
Harvard University recently completed an analysis of its Liberal Arts program.
In this study, Anthropology was judged to be one of eight mandatory!! areas
of concentration for a "well rounded education." (Wake up BSC!)
San Francisco State College has required all students to complete courses
in three areas: Physical Education, English and ANTHROPOLOGY!! (Still
sleeping BSC??)

Anthropology Newsletter No. 4
II.

2

A WORD ABOUT GRADUATE STUDY IN ANTHROPOLOGY
Recently Professor Reeder told his Primates class that "most of you should
seriously consider Anthropology graduate study." Subsequently Reeder and
Minderhout confirmed to each other that the students taking Anthro courses
this semester are particularly outstanding and that many have definite
abilities to do graduate work. What is unusual is that so many excellent
students have come into the Soc/Anthro program at the same time.
Two Soc/Anthro majors have applied to graduate school and there is a
possibility of another. They are: Linda Shively, Pat Fryling, Tom
Leahy.
As you begin to think of your future vocational plans during the immediate
months and years ahead it would be wise to consult with your Anthropology
advisors in regard to the general concerns facing someone considering graduate
studies. This is particularly important because there are some very pervasive
realities about graduate education which are not commonly known to many
students. And, there appears to be several wholly inaccurate perceptions
about graduate school commonly held at BSC. It is axiomatic in the BSC
student sub-culture that a bachelors degree at BSC seriously impairs a
student's chances of entering graduate study. This is a HIGHLY DAMAGING
AND FALSE assumption, unfortunately at times reinforced by some BSC professors.
The educational quality at essentially all levels of State College education
is vastly improved over the last decade and most graduate schools, if not all
BSC Profs. are aware of this. Do no be misled to believe that you must study
at a so-called "exclusive" private college with a national reputation in order
to be accepted in graduate school. Those who believe this have simply not
been observant of contemporary realities in the education marketplace regarding
professor's · salaries, enrollment pressures, fiscal and cultural reorientations,
etc. Indeed, although the Soc/Anthro major is official in only the first
year at BSC, students seeking to enter graduate school from BSC in Anthropology
have generally been accepted and generally successful in their studies during
the last six years when an Anthropology "concentration" existed. One more
point: money should be the last consideration or concern of a student
entering graduate school. This is also a matter that has been misrepresented
as a monster to potential graduate students. See Bob, Bob, or David for
further information.

III.

ANTHROPOLOGY "CAREERS 11
Former BSC Anthro major, Lee Erdman, turned down a graduate scholarship at
The University of Arizona in Anthropology for a position as a proof reader
for a scientific journal produced by the University of Chicago Museum,
Anthropology Division. Lee said, the museum made him an offer (of money)
he couldn't refuse.
A former BSC student, Anthro major, not known as an academic whiz but highly
interested in American Indians, professes to be making three times as much
annual income as Pro£ Reeder buying and selling Indian jewelry, and crafts.
He has stores in three Pennsylvania towns.
Anthropology major, Jomo Kenyatta, is president of the government of Kenya.

Anthropology Newsletter No. 4

3

Anthropology major Prince Charles of England is a prince.
Two former BSC Anthro majors have become Anthropology instructors during
the last four years.
Elliot Skinner, Anthropology major, is U.S. Ambassador to Upper Volta,
Wilton Krogman has done "police anthropology" work ideatification of
skeletal remains from potential or possible homicide, etc. cases,
Many states have departments of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals which employ
staff anthropologists (e.g. South Carolina) as experts on cultural backgrounds of mental illness.
J

Leonard Borman, Anthropologist, working as an "action anthropologist"
performed such duties as helping the Kalmuks adjust to life in Philadelphia:
finding jobs, housing etc, Because of the unique cultural differences of
the Kalmuks, those wishing to help them resettle in the U.S. asked for a
cultural anthropologist instead of just a group social worker to facilitate
the acculturation.
Former BSC Anthropology major, John Sabol, was last known to be a tour
guide of Mexican Archaeology sites.
Numerous anthropologists have done ethnohistorical-legal research for
both sides in the U.S. Indian Claims Connnission sometimes having to prove
ethnic continuity back to tribal Indians which made old treaties. Professor
Solenberger testified before a committee of the U.S. Congress in claims
cases several years ago ••
Anthropology professor, John Greenway, testified before congressional
committees to the effects of severe brainwashing on cultural alienation
a major contribution to the decision of the U.S. Government not to prosecute
P.O.W.'s making "confessions" in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Greenway
was fired from conservative U.C.L.A., in the fifties, for these judgments.
Margaret Mead testified that "pot" was unpopular with "the establishment"
solely because it was "the alcohol of the young,'.' Mead has written thousands
of paragraphs on the inability of the older generations to understand and
tolerate the younger generation.
A local student with a B.A. in Anthro is making $15,000 as Assistant Curator
at the State Museum in Harrisburg.
In 1964 Professor Reeder was offered a position as an Anthropologist in the
Defense Department with a project to train Green Berets for operations in
Indochina. Reeder did not take the position. (Subsequently, the American
Anthropological Association engaged itself in furious debate over the
scientific ethics of using anthropology for political or quasi-political
purposes.)

Anthropology Newsletter No. 4

4

The University of Pittsburgh has developed an extensive "applied
anthropology" program to aid underdeveloped countries (by training
graduate students in African village cultures) in population control
education in the field.
IV.

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?
Summer 1977 Anthro courses:
General Anthro, sessions 2 and 7 - Reeder
Socialization of the Child, Field Archaeology, sessions 4 and 8 - Solenberger

V.

SIGN OFF 1976-77 ACADEMIC YEAR
We want to thank the many students who have made this by far the most
successful year for Anthropology at BSC. We are working to help you
in preparing for your future academically and vocationally. With the
prospective support of a long-needed strong advocate for Anthropology
in the person of Dr. William Carlough, Chairman of the new Department
of Philosophy and Anthropology, we are expecting that BSC will soon
begin to understand the cogent relevance of Anthropology to a modern
Arts and Science program. The 19th century ghost of Anthropology as an
esoteric field of study of bizarre customs and dusty bones is beginning
to fade at BSC. Obviously, the increasing numbers of you have signalled
the awareness of what Anthro really is; we shall now try to educate our
colleagues to your perceptions. Thank you. Have a productive summer!!

Bob Solenberger
David Minderhout
Bob Reeder