ANTH 2233-002 - INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Spring 2004

TR 8-9:15 a.m., WILSON 204

 

                                                          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: HREF=               Office:  Wilson 213                                       

Office phone: 972-3043                                  Office Hrs: TR 2-4 p.m., 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:

 

Jan. 13:  Course Introduction

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

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

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

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

29:       Cultural Ecology: A Sample Ethnography (Klima, pp. 17-44)

Feb. 3: Strategies of Survival Among East African Cattle-Herders (Klima, pp. 45-78)                                  

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

10:       Exam #1  (For a study guide to Exam # 1, click here.)

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

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

19:       Economics (CA, Ch. 6)

24:       Social Stratification (CA, Ch. 7)

26:       Sex and Gender (CA, Ch. 8)

Mar. 2: Exam #2 (For a study guide to Exam #2, click here.)  

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

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

11:       Social Groups (CA, Ch. 11)

15-20: Spring Break

23:       Inis Beag: Isle of Ireland: Sample Ethnography (Messenger, pp. v-49)

25:       First Day of Delta Blues Symposium (no class—more on this later)

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

Apr. 1: Exam #3      

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

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

13:       Belief Systems (CA, Ch. 14)

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

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

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

29:       Final Exam (click here for a study guide to the final exam)

The final exam will be given 8-10 A.M. for the 8 AM class and 2:45-4:45 P.M. for the 12:30 class.

                                                         Course Requirements:

 

Class Preparation/Participation: Read the assignments specific to each class meeting prior to the beginning of class.  You might test yourself by answering the questions that appear on the CD that comes with some of your books, or you might review the optional study guide listed above.  There is also a web-site that offers some study aids.  Go to HREF=  and then click Cultural Anthropology, 11/e, which will lead you to additional links that may help you.  Be prepared to take a quiz over the assigned readings and to contribute to class discussion over issues that emerge from that day’s topics.  Also, if you bring a cell phone to class, be sure to keep it switched off during class time.

 

Examinations: (10 February, 2 March, 1 April, 29 April).  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 student’s 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 reserving the right to lower your final average by one grade if you miss four and failing you after six unexcused absences.  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.