There has been a florescence in ethnographic research methodologies, based on the development of computer programs for enhanced ethnographic data collection, storage, retrieval, and analysis. This project integrates these innovations into the curriculum through the creation of a six work station ethnographic data processing laboratory. The laboratory becomes a center piece for an expanded science training program in cultural anthropology at NAU. The undergraduate program is focused in two directions. One is the traditional undergraduate curriculum. The other is a new emphasis on minority undergraduate science education. In line with the latter, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a grant to bring in 20 minority undergraduate students for a summer field research program at Wupatki National Monument. The project focus for this grant is to provide training for the minority students in the context of an ethnographic assessment of visitor behavior at Wupatki National Monument (29 miles from Flagstaff). The project melds computer assisted cognitive anthropology data collection, with ethnographic participant observation of procedures, to determine the expectations and the preferences of visitors, and provides policy information about historic preservation to the National Park Service. This project will continue for at least five years. The institution is matching the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.
