Essential Abilities/ Technical Standards
The Grand Rapids Community College Anthropology faculty has specified essential abilities (technical standards) critical to the success of students in any GRCC Anthropology program. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.
1. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend different cultural viewpoints for the purpose of problem solving around cross-cultural issues and the application of anthropological theories for recognizing appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions.
2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, and touch to make correct judgments regarding course material. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course expectations. For example, anthropology courses employ the replication, use, and physical manipulation of material cultural artifacts related to human cultures. Likewise, anthropology courses utilize game based simulations to help students understand the operation of different cultural systems, which require physical movement around the classroom and interactions with other students.
3. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students and faculty. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
4. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to manage potential stressors that accompany tasks necessary to safely engage in the application of anthropological theory and the discussion of relevant topics. It is expected that students will have divergent opinions regarding cross-cultural perspectives and contemporary global issues. Students are expected to be able to discuss these potentially powerful topics in an objective, civil and respectful manner. Some of the topics addressed in Anthropology courses include, but is not limited to: Violence [including ethnic and sex-based violence (i.e. rape, female infanticide, and genocide)], Sexuality, Gender, Race, Class, Religion, Politics, Ethnicity and Identity. These essential emotional and coping skills will take place on many different levels, including one to one interactions with peers and faculty, small group interactions, and whole class discussions.
5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: Anthropology courses require the application of anthropological methods and theories to the collection, synthesis, and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative information and the ability to discern between objective and subjective perspectives. In addition, anthropology courses require the ability to apply anthropological methods and theories to explore and understand different cultural perspectives. To accomplish these tasks the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate relevant course information is necessary.
6. Other essential behavioral attributes: The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the study of Anthropology. This includes adherence to ethical guidelines governing the practice anthropology and adherence to all aspects of the GRCC student code of conduct.
Grand Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:
- With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the study of Anthropology.
- Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the Social Sciences Department and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.
If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Social Sciences Department office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.
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