About the Instructor: Dr. Akers

Dr. Akers is a Professional Anthropologist and a licensed Professional Archaeologist with the Society for Professional Archaeologists, Washington D.C.

He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California with a major in Anthropology-in-Education, and a dissertation topic which specialized in Geo-Archaeology. Dr. Akers has lived on 3 continents, 26 countries, and speaks 7 languages! He has conducted Anthropological research among the "outcast Gypsies" of Spain, tribal groups in the South Pacific, and urban groups in Latin America.

Dr. Akers also has obtained masters degrees, including one from the California State University in the Geosciences, which provided his early training in Geo-archaeology. His postdoctoral work has included advanced studies in Anthropology from Oxford University, Harvard University, and Stanford University.

Dr. Akers hobbies include surfing, skiing, and volunteer-coaching of local prep football (what else would a USC Trojan alumni do?). He has sent his students to Anthropological field excursions to China, Nepal, Artic-Alaska, Eastern Europe, Samoa, and the Middle East. He is the author of a forthcoming textbook CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: A Concise View, which will be keyed to online teaching. His teaching philosophy motto is to "ask any question, no matter how absurd it may sound, SOMEONE will benefit from the answer!" Dr. Akers is an anthropologist who is enthusiastic about everything he does, including his teaching at Barstow College. One of his favorite courses is Anthropology 1, because he feels it is important for everyone to understand about the different cultures of the world.  He wants his students to come away from this class with a better understanding of humans, and a better tolerance for cultures which are not their own.

He believes that students earn their grades, and he does not "give" grades.  He is there for his students and wants them to know that the only stupid question is the one that didn't get asked.  He has set up his course so that students do more than read, they also watch and learn with interactive videos.

He would like to close this about the instructor page by thanking all his students for taking his class. He hopes they have as much fun taking the class as he did putting it together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Glen Akers