ANTH 2233-002 – INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, CRN: 62769

FALL 2011

(8:00-9:15 A.M., TR, Wilson 329)

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

Web-site: http://myweb.astate.edu/rburns

Office: W408     Office Hours: TR 9:30-10:30 A.M.; 2-3 P.M., or by appointment 

 

Course Description and Objectives:

 

Cultural anthropology is the study of human societies and underlying patterns of human culture. Students completing this course should be able to:

      * Demonstrate an understanding of the major patterns of interactions (such as social, political, environmental, and economic) among nations, regions, and ethnic groups.

      * Demonstrate an understanding of the historical background and the current and future implications of the use of resources globally.

These goals will be assessed and embedded in quizzes and exams.

 

Required Texts:

 

Luke Eric Lassiter, Invitation to Anthropology, 3rd edition. (=Lassiter).

Conrad M. Arensberg, The Irish Countryman.

Gary Ferraro, Classic Readings in Cultural Anthropology, 3rd edition. (=Classic Readings)

William H. Crocker and Jean G. Crocker, The Canela: Kinship, Ritual, and Sex in an Amazonian Tribe, 2nd edition.

 

Course Outline:

 

Aug. 23: Course Introduction: The Anthropological Perspective.

25:       A Story about Evolution and the Critique of Race (Lassiter, 3-33).

30:       The Concept of Culture in Anthropology (Lassiter, 35-68).

Sept. 1: More on the Concept of Culture (Classic Readings, x-5).

6:         Doing Ethnography and Reading a Classic Anthropological Study: (Classic Readings, 6-10; The Irish Countryman, 9-47).

8:         The Irish Countryman, 48-104.         

13:       The Irish Countryman, 105-162.

15:       The Irish Countryman, 163-192.

20:       Language and Communication (Classic Readings, 11-24).

22:       Exam 1

27:       Food Getting Strategies (Lassiter, 107-129.

29:       Food Getting Strategies (Classic Readings, 25-42).

Oct. 4: Political Systems and Law (Classic Readings, 75-92).

6:         Sex and Gender (Lassiter, 131-155).

11:       Sex and Gender (Classic Readings, 58-74).

13:       No class. Your instructor will be out of town, but read the following online tutorial, http://anthro.palomar.edu/kinship/default.htm and try your hand at the quizzes.

18:       Marriage, Family, and Kinship (Lassiter, 157-181; Classic Readings, 43-49).

20:       Is Mother Love a Cultural Universal? (Classic Readings, 50-57).

25:       Exam 2

27:       Case Study: The Canela (ix-9).

Nov. 1: The Canela (10-44).

3:         The Canela (45-70).

8:         The Canela (71-97).

10:       The Canela (98-134).

15:       Exam 3

17:       Belief Systems (Lassiter, 183-201; The Canela 135-137).

21-26:  Fall Break

29:       Expressive Culture: Folklore and Popular Culture (online reading, http://anthro.palomar.edu/religion/default.htm; Classic Readings, 93-106).   

Dec. 1: Culture Change and the Forces of Modernity  (Classic Readings, 1-7-128). 

Dec. 8: Final Examination, Thursday, 8-10 A.M.            

 

Course Requirements:

 

A few class rules: I require all cell phones and other electronic devices turned off and put away before entering class. This means you may not use a computer to take notes or use a cell phone or any other device to text message.  Any violation of this rule will lower your course grade by one letter.   

 

Examinations: (22 September, 25 October, 15 November, and 8 December). These will be objective and use a variety of testing methods. The final exam is mandatory to pass the course. Each exam counts 20% of your final grade.

 

Reading Quizzes: Expect short multiple-choice quizzes over assigned readings, which you must read before each class meeting. I will give several quizzes throughout the semester but will only keep the ten best scores to determine your quiz average, which will count 20% toward your final grade. To take a quiz, you must be in your seat at the time I distribute it, which is often at the beginning of class. Because I give so many (nearly every class meeting), I do not give make-up quizzes.

 

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 studentÕs return to class. If you do not take an exam, you will receive a Ò0Ó 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 average by one grade if you miss three and failing you after you miss five. In other words, I allow two unexcused absences, but no more without penalty. Leaving class early or after immediately taking a quiz will be considered an absence. Similarly, excessive tardiness will also be considered an absence. On the other hand, if you arrive outside the classroom late, by all means enter the room no matter what so that you may miss as little as possible that day.

 

Disability Policy: Any student with a verified disability can receive assistance through Disability Services.

 

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.