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Growing Diversity -
Anthropology 495 (Capstone), Fall 2019 - Topic: The Human Relationship with Outer Space
On September 18, 2019, Anthropology Capstone students met at the Sustainable Agriculture Project farm instead of the classroom, in order to learn how humanity actually being on a planet in space (dealing with the sun, tilt of the earth and seasons, phases of the moon, etc.) played a traditional role in planting/harvesting/growing. Manager Youssef Darwich took the class on a tour of the farm, talking about this relationship between farming and elements of our solar system. Both scientific and spiritual connections were examined, as were the relationships held by different peoples around the world.
Video Preparation
Video Preparation
Students prepared for the visit by watching videos recommended by the SAP manager, including "The Secret Behind the Ancient Mayans' Agricultural Prowess".
"Solar Minimum is Coming" helped students learn about the impact of solar flares and other activity on farming and agriculture. For instance, solar minimums can lead to crop failure in some cases.
Students also learned about Permaculture ("a method for designing sustainable land-use systems. It is based on an integrated and functional approach to design where the use of ecological principles guides the weaving together of earth, water, plants and animals into complex balanced landscape patterns which have the diversity of natural ecosystems while providing food, energy, shelter and the recycling of wastes." - B. Mollison, 1988) in preparation for the SAP visit.
Anthropology students learn about how the sun, moon and other aspects of our solar system impact agricultural ideas (including spiritual ideas) and practices at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.
A GVSU Anthropology student poses with a sunflower, a plant whose flower responds to the sun's daily movement with its own movements.
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