The student anthropology organization, formerly the Anthropology Society, has reformed and renamed itself CASE: The Committee for Anthropology Student Events.
CASE Vice President Sean Dooling described the organization as a new interpretation of the previous anthropology club.
“We wanted to make [the club] a more professional atmosphere,” Dooling (sophomore-anthropology) said. “One of the ideas is to refocus and re-energize it.”
Claire Milner, faculty adviser to CASE and curator and exhibit director of Penn State’s Matson Museum of Anthropology, wrote in an email that since anthropology is not “well-known,” the club will help to familiarize more students with the field.
“Few high schools have classes in it. So the organization hopes to familiarize people with the field and help anthropology students choose a future career,” Milner wrote.
Dooling said anthropology is “the study of humans, in all aspects,” with four separate disciplines: biological, cultural, linguistic and archeology. Between these four disciplines, anthropology can be applied to many fields, including business, medicine and forensic science, Dooling said.
CASE member and former officer of the Anthropology Society Devon Santoro wrote that anthropology is varied and relates to many fields that the accurate question to ask would be, “'What ISN’T Anthropology?'”
The club is open to all students, regardless of major or academic year.
“It’s very much an interdisciplinary field, and we want to make this is an interdisciplinary club …” Dooling said. “It’s important to have a grasp of other people’s cultures in this global world.”
Milner wrote that some of the events CASE will host this year include talks by professors and community members. The events will also feature graduate students who will discuss applying to graduate school and what it is like when you attend, she said.
Dooling said CASE is “hoping to do something in the fall for apocalyptic theory,” which Santoro (junior-anthropology and history) described in an email as a “‘2012/End of the World’ extravaganza where we will uncover the myths and truths about doomsday.”
The treasurer, secretary and web master officer positions are still available. The next meeting time is to be determined, at which officer elections will be held. The club hopes to plan other events throughout the year.
“Other ideas include some museums trips both on and off campus, backpacking in Centre County and an ‘other cultures festival’ to bring more of a sense of awareness of other cultures,” Dooling said.
