ANTH 2233-001 - INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Fall 2003

TR 8-9:15 AM, WILSON 216

 

                                                          Course Description:

 

Cultural anthropology is the study of human societies and the underlying patterns of human culture.  This course seeks to develop students' skills in the understanding of unfamiliar cultures and in the interpretation of cultural differences and similarities of people all over the world.  

 

Instructor:  Dr. Richard Burns                        email: rburns@astate.edu

Web-site: www.clt.astate.edu/rburns               Office:  Wilson 213                                      

Office phone: 972-3043                                  Office Hrs: TR 2-4 PM, or by appointment

 

Required Texts:         

 

Carol R. Ember and Melvin Ember, Cultural Anthropology, 11th edition (=CA)

George J. Klima, The Barabaig: East African Cattle-Herders (1983 reissue)

John C. Messenger,  Inis Beag: Isle of Ireland (1983 reissue)

 

Recommended: James G. Duvall III, Study Guide to Carol R. Ember and Melvin Ember, Cultural Anthropology, 11th edition.

 

                                                            Course Outline (revised):

 

Aug. 26:  Course Introduction

28:       The Nature of Anthropology and Human Diversity (CA, Ch. 1)

Sept. 2:  The Concept of Culture (CA, Ch. 2)       

4:         Theories in Anthropology (CA, Ch. 3)                

9:         Doing Anthropological Fieldwork  (Klima, pp. vii-16)               

11:       Strategies of Survival Among East African Cattle-Herders (Klima, pp. 17-44)

16:       Strategies of Surviving Among East African Cattle-Herders (Klima, pp. 45-78)                                 

18:       Cultural Practices Among the Barabaig (Klima, pp. 79-112)

23:       Exam #1 - see study guide here

25:       Language and Communication (CA, Ch. 4)                     

30:       Food-Getting Strategies (CA, Ch. 5).                         

Oct. 2: Economics (CA, Ch. 6)                                             

7:         Social Stratification (CA, Ch. 7)

9:         Sex and Gender (CA, Ch. 8)

14:       Exam #2 - see study guide here

16:       Marriage and Family (CA, Ch. 9)

21:       Residence and Kinship Systems (CA, Ch. 10)

23:       Social Groups (CA, Ch. 11)

28:       Introduction to Inis Beag: Isle of Ireland: Sample Ethnography (Messenger, pp. v-23)

30:       The Land and People of Inis Beag (Messenger, pp. 24-49)

Nov. 4: Family, Village, and Kinship of Inis Beag (Messenger, pp. 50-87)

6:         Belief Systems and Folklore of Inis Beag (Messenger, pp. 88-123)

11:       Exam #3 - see study guide here

13:       Political Systems and Conflict Resolution (CA, Ch. 12)

18:       Psychology and Culture (CA, Ch. 13)

20:       Belief Systems (CA, Ch 14)

24-29: Fall Break/Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 2: Folklore and the Arts (CA, Ch. 15)                                              

4:         Culture Change (CA, Ch. 16; finish Messenger, pp. 124-131)

11:       Final Exam, 8-10 AM; 2:45-4:45 PM--depending on section in which you are enrolled.

            See Study Guide for Final Exam here.                                             Course Requirements:

 

Examinations: (23 September, 14 October, 6 November, 11 December).  These will be objective and use a variety of testing methods.  The final will have a comprehensive component and is mandatory to pass the course.  Each exam counts 20% of your final grade.

 

Reading quizzes: Expect short multiple-choice quizzes over the reading assigned for each class meeting.  I will give several quizzes throughout the semester but will only count the ten best scores for your quiz average, which will count 20% toward your final course grade; consequently, I generally do not give make-up quizzes.  To take a quiz, you must be seated at the time I distribute it, which is often at the beginning of class. 

 

Make-up work: Exams may be made up only with a verifiable, justifiable excuse (illness, serious family emergency, university business, or inclement weather [commuter students only]). A make-up examination must be taken within one week of a studentÍs return to class.  If you do not take an exam, you will receive a 0 for 20% of your final course average. You must take the Final Exam to pass. 

 

Attendance Policy:  Please consult the Undergraduate Bulletin regarding attendance policy.  I have modified this policy by lowering your final average by one grade if you miss four and failing after you miss six.  Leaving class immediately early or after immediately taking a quiz will be considered an absence.  Similarly, excessive tardiness will also be considered an absence.

 

Grading Scale:  The numerical ranges of letter grades for mid-term and final grades will be: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F = below 60.