What makes a person human? A long and complicated answer is bound to follow such an abstract question; however, one club is on a mission to figure that out.
The Anthropology club, started by its president Samuel McBurney, is new to the Colorado Mesa University scene this year and is looking for fellow members to try to answer that question.
The club started when McBurney tried to find an anthropology club but had a hard time finding one that met the criteria he was looking for.
“I wanted to be involved in something that expands the mind and really questions what it means to be human,” McBurney said. “None of them really had this so I met with my friend Donovan Harwell and we got it rolling when this year started.”
The club isn’t set up like a typical club is as the whole point of it is to figure out what it means to be human. Meetings morph into discussions about culture and architecture, hikes to historical petroglyphs or ruins and videos that explore the human species are all aspects of participation in the club.
With a more discussion-based format, opinions and ideas are shared which fosters open dialogue and insights that wouldn’t be accomplished without the exchange of viewpoints. With the exchange of ideologies, the club has no intention of proving one specific viewpoint or shoving any one opinion down someone’s throat.
The club encourages open discussion between members so as to best attempt to explain what it means to be human, as no person is exactly the same, several different opinions will be brought to the surface and are actually encouraged.
“Have an open mind and be willing to appreciate others’ opinions,” McBurney said. “There was this one club that I went to that was trying to prove one thing while neglecting the whole other side of the argument. So, after that I wanted to create a club where we could discuss that but not jam it down people’s throats.”
The anthropology club also doesn’t require any experience to join. It doesn’t matter what your major is or how much experience you have with discussions or the topics. All it takes to join is an open mind and a willingness to explore humanity.
“It isn’t really going to be a traditional club,” McBurney said. “If you are interested in what it means to be human, what makes up our species and why we are the way we are, come and join the anthropology club.”
McBurney is still working on a permanent location for their meetings, however his email: simcburney@mavs.coloradomesa.edu provides information as to where they are meeting and he is more than willing to take anyone that wants to explore human diversity and culture.
The Anthropology club is out there and taking members, so stop by and see if it is the right fit for you.
