READING ASSIGNMENT
Write a 200-400 word (+- 50 word) commentary on the readings. This commentary will be on Fuller et al. (2016) and Rindos (1980).
Minimally, your commentary on the readings should provide a brief 1-2 sentence summary of each reading and a thoughtful reflection on the numbered questions.
You will also see a series of guiding questions below that you do not need to answer, but will help guide your understanding of the reading(s).
Guiding Questions for Reading #1 (Fuller et al. 2016):
What is the relevance of seed size for understanding domestication entanglements?
What are some of the examples Fuller et al. (2016) uses to depict the influence of crops with altered biological mechanisms on human approaches to cultivation, and vice versa?
How do changing rice varieties create different “traps” for early cultivators? Think about the forces driving this genetic change and how it relates to the “traps”. (e.g labor traps as a result of more productive varieties with more upkeep lead to decrease use of water chestnuts etc…)
How does extensive use of a crop differ from intensive use?
What forces do Fuller et al. (2016) suggest, caused different populations to begin the substantial labor investment of cultivation? (can you think of any others)
Guiding Questions for Reading #2 (Rindos 1980)
What two assumptions had dominated theories surrounding agricultural origins when Rindos wrote this paper?
How does Rindos (1980) intentionally move away from these assumptions?
How does Rindos (1980) define “Agriculture” and why does he take care in defining it the way he does?
What are some of the agricultural strategies Rindos (1980) outlines, which address potential instabilities in the system?
What differences exist in the way that Rindos (1980) talks about carrying capacity and the week 1 readings do?
What mechanisms for the spread of agriculture does Rindos (1980) suggest?
Complete/answer the following questions in your reading comment:
Provide a brief 1-2 sentence summary of each reading.
How do Fuller et al. (2016) and Rindos (1980) characterize “domestication” as a form of human ecological entanglement?
What is novel about Rindo’s (1980) interpretation of agricultural ecology?
What aspects of ancient food production do Fuller et al. (2016) and Rindos (1980) use to illustrate domestication entanglement?
Don’t forget to end by asking bringing up questions you have about the readings. Was there anything you did not understand?
