BEHAVIORAL TRANSITION ECOLOCY and TO ACRICULTURE

Description

Write a three (3) paragraph reading response to this reading.
The three paragraphs (minimum 5 sentences each) should be a thoughtful response to the reading, and include the required content described below.
It is not necessary to respond to your classmates in this discussion board, but please skim over them to get a sense of what others are thinking (we will discuss these issues during our zoom session)
Paragraph 1:

Using your own words (not just quotes from the article) summarize (in brief) the main argument or thesis of the article, and what evidence is used to support this thesis. The author may or may not state their thesis clearly, but search the piece for where they are making an argument. his article covers a lot of ground but ask yourself, what is their main point? What is the central argument around which all the data revolve? For example. “Smith argues the the increased use of pit-ovens during the Late Archaic indicates increased reliance on roasting both meat and vegetables, which is indirect evidence for the beginnings of horticulture to acquire vegetables. Smith’s evidence includes counts of pit-ovens over time in the western Great Basin, dated by C-14 or association with dwellings., as well as micro-botanical studies that show a contemporary gradual increase of vegetable seeds in human feces from caves in the region.”

Paragraph 2:

Using your own words (not just quotes from the article) explain behavioral ecology and how it is used to model changes in subsistence in the examples given in the article.

Paragraph 3:

State what you think about the author’s thesis, evidence, argument, or opinion, the topics discussed, and why you hold that view. For example: “I find Smith’s discussion of the role of pit ovens in dietary changes convincing, but am concerned that we do not have very many pit ovens associated with dwellings, which makes it difficult to determine how widely they were used. The highest concentration of pit ovens, from the Cliff site, is surprising due to the small size of the site and its limited time range. Smith describes the Cliff site as home to three nuclear families, but I suggest that this was a special-use site for occasional feasts or celebrations, rather than a few permanent residents.”

In paragraph three, it is not acceptable to simply summarize the reading, or state that you found the reading boring or difficult, liked it, or did not understand it. You must engage the piece in critical discussion regardless of how you feel about it. If you find a piece challenging, re-read it, make notes in the margin as you go, and attempt to identify the thesis or central issue(s).
I repeat: do not summarize the reading in paragraph three. Do not say you did not understand it. ENGAGE the reading. If you are confused, re-read, talk to a friend, do research, talk to me, but do not give up!
This assignment will be graded on an unsatisfactory (60-74 points) satisfactory (75-89 points) good (90-95) exceptional (95-100 points) basis, considering whether or not you followed the assignment guidelines and engaged the reading, as well as the quality of the writing.