Anthropology Speaker Series to present two speakers in April

The University of Southern Indiana Anthropology Speaker Series will present two lectures and Q&As by Dr. Kyle Clark, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at University of Evansville, and Dr. Daniel Bauer, Professor of Anthropology at USI, in Kleymeyer Hall (LA0101), located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. Clark’s presentation will take place at noon Friday, April 10. Bauer’s presentation is happening at noon Friday, April 24. These events are open to the public at no charge.

Friday, April 10: The Ancestors and I: Studying Ancestor Worship in Indonesia 

Ancestor worship is widespread cross-culturally, yet its significance to the evolution of human behavior is profound. After all, humans inherit both their genes and cultural traditions from their ancestors. The role of ancestors in the initiation and promotion of traditions, however, has continued to be under appreciated. Using data primarily from Iban of Indonesia, Clark will describe the influence of ancestors on human behavior, especially cooperative behavior, from an evolutionary perspective.

Friday, April 24: Ecuador: Tranquility, Terror, and South American Geopolitics

Drawing from more than 20-years of research focusing on Ecuador, Bauer will provide reflections and insights that can help the audience to situate the prominent role of a tiny Andean nation in some of the most pressing issues facing humans today.

To learn more about this event and the Anthropology Speaker Series, contact Bauer at debauer@usi.edu, or visit the Anthropology webpage.