ANTH 113H: HUMAN CULTURAL DIVERSITY: HONORS SECTION
Fall 2012: TTH 11:00-12:15, O’Connell 237
Instructor: Dr. Georgia Fox, ProfessorOffice Hours: TTH 9:00-10:00, Contact: 898-5583; 2:30-3:30, W 10:00-11:00, or by apt.
Office: Plumas 105
COURSE DESCRIPTION
To understand the wide range of human diversity on our planet, anthropologists recognize certain universal patterns that guide the activities of daily human life. This introductory honors course in cultural anthropology is designed to introduce you to the methods and guiding principles of socio-cultural anthropology and the appreciation of diversity in human cultures. In this class, we will examine how human societies have developed different adaptive strategies to their environments and to maintain their quality of life throughthe social, political, and economic structures that underlay much of the customs, traditions, and values of a culture. In addition, we will cover various religious and spiritual practices, aspects of language and identity, human health and reproduction, marriage and family, gender issues, and the continuing challenges and impacts of culture change through colonialism, globalization, and industrialization on nonwestern societies. This is an approved General Education Course in the GE Pathway for Health and Wellness (Catalog 2012-2013).
COURSE SUBTHEME
For the honors section of ANTH 113, we will also be exploring the subtheme of globalization that will be integrated with the regular course material. Globalization can be broadly defined as the flow of capital, goods, people, ideas, and images through high technology mechanisms such as the internet, world stock markets, and the media as they relate to issues of sustainability, social responsibility, and active engagement in the world around us. We will examine the impact of globalization on different cultures, and the varied adaptive responses these cultures have to globalization and culture change, and for us to better understand what these responses mean in terms of local and global current events
Course Student Learning Objectives:
To appreciate the richness and diversity of human cultures throughout the world.
As part of the University’s Strategic Goals and the goals of a well-rounded general education, is to improve your critical learning skills through critical reading, writing, and thinking, observing, and speaking.
To provide a global perspective on the complexity and diversity in human cultures through an anthropological perspective.
To instill respect for peoples and cultures different than our own and to develop an awareness of our own biases and ethnocentric assumptions about other cultures and their traditions.
To appreciate how people make sense of their own experiences in the world.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Dettwyler, Katherine A. 2011. Cultural Anthropology and Human Experience: The Feast of Life Waveland Press.
Steger, Manfred. 2009. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press, 2nd ed.
ANTH 113H Reader; ask for Reader #113H when purchasing at Mr. Kopy, 119 Main St.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: THE NON-NEGOTIABLES
Small Courtesies and Class Etiquette
Please be on time for class! Try to avoid leaving class during lecture and exams. No laptops; Cell phones, iPods, and other electronic gadgets remain off during class.
Course Assignments
This course has the luxury of being a lecture/ discussion format, interspersed with videos, which allow us to discuss the course readings and other materials the ideas they inspire. Therefore, the assignments in this class will be based on a series of short papers, in-class, short critical reading/writing exercises based on the textbook and other readings; several shorter papers, and a larger semester-long research paper/project. The course will include the following:
Museum Paper30
Secondhand Clothing Paper45
In-class short writing exercises50
Major Research Paper
Project proposal10
Project progress report10
Final Research paper120
Oral presentation 25
Class Participation 10_
300
Grading Scale: The grading scale, with 300 points possible, is as follows: The grading scale, with 300 points possible, is as follows: 300-260 A; 259-220 B; 219-180 C; 179-140 D; 139 and below F. Please note that I do not grade on a curve, nor do I give extra credit points. The +/- system is used to determine the final grade.
Facts of Life: Late Assignments Policy
Please folks, turn your work in on time. It is good life reality training for you to meet deadlines and alleviates inconveniences for all involved. All work must be turned in on the day it is due. If you anticipate any problems turning work in on time due to a legitimate excuse, please speak to me before the assignment is due, so we can make the appropriate arrangements. No excuses about unruly printers, computer meltdowns, or the like. We all have them, stuff happens, but we will work with it if you keep me informed. I also encourage you to meet with me during office hours.
Active Learning and Other Course Expectations
To help make this course stimulating and fun, your attendance and active participation in class are critical. Comments, suggestions, and questions are always welcome in class and during office hours. If you have any questions about the assignments, I will be happy to talk with you in advance about any questions you have on format, citation practices, or anything else about your research throughout the semester. I will quite happily go over drafts of your papers you with during office hours. Class discussion is vital, keeping in mindR.O.P.E.S, whichmeans exercising Respect, Openness, Participation, Enthusiasm, and Sensitivityfor all class discussions. If you are shy, let’s make this a golden opportunity to make your voice heard in a safe, friendly environment. If you do not participate in class discussions, I will have to evaluate accordingly, which is not my first choice
How to Succeed in this Course
Attend class regularly.
Keep up with the readings.
If something is unclear, ask a question.
Clarify expectations with the professor.
Important Dates to Remember
Project proposalSept. 13
Museum PaperSept. 20
Secondhand Clothing PaperOct. 16
Project progress reportNov. 1
Final Research paperNov. 29
Oral presentationNov. 27-Dec. 13
Special Note
Students with any learning disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Support Services in the Student Services Building. Their telephone number is 898-5959. If you have a learning disability that will affect your classroom performance (on examinations, taking notes, etc.), please discuss the situation privately with me, so we can make appropriate arrangements.
Ground Rules on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism
Plagiarism consists of passing off, as one's own the ideas, words, and writings that belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own. When in doubt, cite! Plagiarism destroys the trust between teacher and student. If I catch plagiarism in this course, if will be dealt with swiftly. I will give your work an F and report this to the Student Judicial Affairs Office.
The Six Goals of the Department of Anthropology at CSU, Chico
1. Understand from an anthropological perspective the phenomenon of culture as it differentiates human life from other life forms. Understand the roles of human biology and cultural processes in human behavior and evolution.
2. Develop an ability to critically address ethical and moral issues of diversity, power, equality, and survival from an anthropological perspective.
3. Know substantive data and theoretical perspectives in the subdisciplines of anthropology. Know the history of anthropological theory and be conversant in major issues in each area.
4. Be familiar with the forms of anthropological literature and basic data sources. Know how to access, interpret, evaluate, and apply such information, using a range of sources and information technologies.
5. Grasp the methodologies of the subdisciplines of anthropology. Be able to apply appropriate methods when conducting anthropological research.
6. Be able to present and communicate the results of anthropological research.
CLASS SCHEDULE______
AUG. 28-SEPT. 4INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPTS OF CULTURE
READ:Dettwyler, Chp. 1, 12______
SEPT. 6, 11ANTHROPOLOGICAL FIELDWORK
READ:Kolbert:Spoiled Rotten
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SEPT. 13-18SUBSISTENCE: MAKING A LIVING IN HUMAN SOCIETIES
READ:Dettwyler: Chps. 2, 4
ASSIGNMENT:Project Proposal due, Thursday, Sept. 13
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SEPT. 20POLITICAL SYSTEMS: GETTING PEOPLE TO BEHAVE
READ:Dettwyler: Chp. 6
ASSIGNMENTMuseum paper due, Thursday, Sept. 20
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SEPT. 25-Oct. 2SHELLS FOR MONEY?: THE ECONOMICS OF DAILY LIFE
READ:Dettwyler: Chp. 7
FLIM:Ongka’s Big Moka
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OCT. 4-11GLOBALIZATION: THE INTERCONNECTED WORLD
READ:Steger, Globalization
READ:Tranberg-Hansen:Helping or Hindering?
FILM:T-Shirt Travels
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OCT. 16-25SECTION 6: MAKING THE CONNECTION: HUMAN BONDING
READ:Dettwyler: Chps. 3, 5
READ:Osnos:The Love Business
ASSIGNMENT:Second-Hand Clothing paper due Tuesday, Oct. 16
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OCT. 30-NOV. 1MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD: SPRITUALITY AND RELIGION
READ:Dettwyler: Chp. 8
ASSIGNMENT:Project Progress Report due, Thursday, Nov. 1
______
NOV. 6-13LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION, AND CULTURE
READ:Dettwyler: Chp. 11
FILM:American Tongues
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NOV. 15HUMAN CREATIVE EXPRESSION
READ:Dettwyler: Chp. 10
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***THANKSGIVING BREAK Nov. 19-23***
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NOV. 27- DEC. 13CLASS ORAL PRESENTATIONS
ASSIGNMENT:Research papers due Thursday, Nov. 29
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***No Final Exam***