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.