Department of
Anthropology
Modesto Junior
College
Susan Kerr, PhD
I have been teaching at MJC since
August 2000. Since arriving, I completed my dissertation on the people of the
island of San Nicolas, off the coast of southern California. This island is now
a Naval Base, but is famous as the location of the story Island of the Blue Dolphins.
A woman lived there alone for 18 years after her family was
removed to the mainland and missionized. I am currently working on analysis of
DNA from these people, as well as working on a paper identifying a new genetic
trait found in human skeletal material. I will be taking a sabbatical in Spring
2009 to complete the DNA analysis of the skeletal collections from my
dissertation work.
My colleagues and I have also
recently developed two new courses (Anthropology 107...Forensic Anthropology:
study of human skeletal remains in legal cases; and Anthropology 174...Field
Studies: travel to different locations and learn about local
anthropology and archaeology).
Bachelor of Science Degree in
Anthropology, UC Davis
Master of Arts Degree in
Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara
Doctoral Degree in Anthropology, UC
Santa Barbara
Research and Other Anthropological Interests:
- Human skeletal biology/bioarchaeology
- Forensic Anthropology
- California Archaeology
- Mitochondrial DNA of Ancient Californians
Email Dr. Kerr
Courses Taught:
-
Anthropology 101
(Physical
Anthropology, on
campus) I will be on sabbatical in Spring
2009. I will teach Anthropology 101 on campus again in Fall 2009. Hope to
see you then!
-
Anthropology 101
Online (Physical
Anthropology). I will be on sabbatical in Spring 2009. For
access to the class, go through the WebCT link on MJC's
homepage. If you are interested in taking the online class for next
semester, please check out the generic
course syllabus (things will change
each semester).
- Anthropology 102
(Not Currently Taught)
- Anthropology 105
(Physical Anthropology Lab) I will be on
sabbatical in Spring 2009. I will teach Anthropology 105 again in Fall 2009.
- Anthropology 107 (Forensic Anthropology)
I will be on sabbatical in Spring 2009.
This class will be taught again in Fall 2009.
- Anthropology 130
(Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory) I will be on sabbatical in Spring 2009. I will teach Anthropology 130
again in Spring 2010. The course will be taught by John Otte in Spring 2009.
In the meantime, check out this site for
details on the Archaeology and Prehistory course at MJC, including course
updates, syllabus and grades.
- Anthropology 174
(Anthropological Field Studies) Our next Colorado Plateau trip will be
the summer of 2011, when we will visit archaeological sites and locales in the
American Southwest. There may be another trip to other locales before
2011...check this site for further details as we proceed
through the coming semester and schedules get made! Check out this page for
details on past and upcoming trips, and some pictures of the past trips!
Past Trips:
- Summer 2005, Colorado Plateau
- Summer 2007, Italy and
Switzerland
- Summer 2008, Colorado Plateau
Office Hours for Spring 2009 (Founders Hall 128F, 575-6107)--on
sabbatical, no office hours this term.
Some Gratuitous Photos:
My son, Robin running around Bandelier National Park on the Anthropology 174
Field Studies trip 2005...
Robin and I with Garry Hayes (MJC Geology) in Yosemite after our
collaborative trip to the Colorado Plateau in 2005.