Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

GeorgiaRegentsUniversity

Spring 2013

Course: ANTH 2011:Cultural Anthropology

Class Meets:

Days: MWF

Time: 9:00 am – 9:50 am

Location:E258 Allgood Hall

Credits: 3

Email:

(or email through D2L)

Instructor:Ann Marie Kuchinski, Ph.D.

Contact Information:

Office hours: MWF 10:00 am–11:00 am

(and by appointment)

Office: E218B Allgood Hall

Office phone: 706-667-4441

Dept. phone: 706-737-1709

D2L:

Course Description, Goals, and Learning Objectives:

Anthropology is the scientific and humanistic study of human beings. Anthropology includes four subfields: cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics. This course will introduce students to the subfield of cultural anthropology.

For humans, culture is the primary means by which we adapt to our environments and give meaning to our lives. Studying culture can help us to better understand how culture shapes society and influences our lives. Cultural anthropologists study a myriad of topics including rituals, beliefs, communication, social organization, subsistence patterns, religion, politics, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, economics, and globalization.

The overall goal of this course is for students to learn how anthropologists study culturally diverse populations, what can be learned from these studies, and how these studies can be used to benefit societies(includingour own). Students will expand their worldviews, by approaching cultural differences holistically, comparatively, and relativistically. By the end of the course students will be able to define key theories and terms, compare and contrast methodological approaches, differentiate between biological and cultural phenomena, participate more effectively in multicultural settings, and integrate anthropological approaches into their personal and professional lives.

Required Textbooks:

Nanda, Serena, & Richard L. Warms. Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition. (This textbook will be referred to in the syllabus as CC.)
Podolefsky, Aaron, Peter J. Brown, & Scott M. Lacy. Applying Cultural Anthropology: An Introductory Reader, 9th edition. (This reader will be referred to in the syllabus as ACA.)
Chagnon, Napoleon. The Yanomamo, 6th edition. (This ethnography will be referred to in the syllabus as Y.)

In order to learn about the myriad topics cultural anthropologists study we will use a textbook, an ethnography, and a reader. All of the reading is important and must be done prior to coming to class so that you can participate in class discussions in an informed manner. The textbook, Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology,will provide the foundation for the course.

The ethnography,The Yanomamo, will provide a detailed account of anthropological fieldwork which is one of the primary means by which cultural anthropologists collect data. The reader, Applying Cultural Anthropology: An Introductory Reader, will provide examples from applied anthropology which uses anthropological concepts and approaches to solve real-world problems. These readings may be supplemented with additional resources posted on D2L or placed on reserve at the library.

Teaching Philosophy:

My goal is to facilitate your learning process by challenging you intellectually and supporting you academically. In order to do this I will cover course material using a variety of methods including texts, lecture, presentations, discussion, films, video clips, in-class activities and out-of-class projects.

Course Requirements and Expectations:

Students will be assessed on their knowledge and ability to apply the information presented in this course as follows:

Course Grade:

Class participation 135 points(45 X 3 points)*

One-minute essays 150points (30X5points)*

Observation, Survey, or Interview 100 points

“Be the Minority” participant observation 100 points

Exam #1 150 points

Exam #2 150 points

Exam #3 150 points

Final Exam 265 points

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS1,200 points

*Pop quizzes may be added or substituted.

Grading Scale:

90 – 100.0 – A1200 – 1080 points

80 – 89.9 – B1079 – 960 points

70 – 79.9 – C 959 – 840 points

60 – 69.9 – D 839 – 720 points

0 – 59.9 – F 719 – points

Assignments

All assignments are expected to be turned in on the date and at the time they are due. Points (equivalent to one letter grade per day) will be subtracted from assignments that are turned in late. Assignments more than one week late will not be accepted. Include your name and the date.

“One-Minute” Essays

If you had one minute to give someone your opinion about the material you read or viewed for any particular class what would you tell them? This should be your reaction to the material or a reflection about the material, not merely a summary of the material. Remember the essay should clearly demonstrate you have read ALL the material due for class that day. Critical thinking should be evident in your writing. You should make connections between the readings (when there are more than one) and include at least one originalquestion you were left with after reading the material that can be used to generate class discussion. This should NOT be a question contained in the reading. Each essay should be approximately 250 words. Essays should be typed (12 point font, 1 inch margins) and submitted to D2L at least 1 hourprior(8:00 am) to the beginning of the class in which the material will be discussed. Bring two printed copies to class one to refer to and one to hand in to me at the beginning of class.These essays will be used to record your attendance. If you do not have an essay to turn in write your name on a blank piece of paper and turn in to me to demonstrate you were in class (this will be done on days when no assignments are due as well). One-minute essays for videos shown in class will be due the next class period.

"Be the Minority”

In this assignment you will be conductingparticipant observation. I must approve your intended subject and location before you submit your proposal. This assignment includes four parts: a proposal (submitted and approved prior to conducting the research) that explains specifically what activity you will be participating in, a copy of your fieldnotes, a report of your findings, and a reflection statement about your experiences. You will be required to discuss your experiences in class. More details about the assignment will be discussed in class and posted on D2L.

You will choose one of the following three out-of-class assignments (direct observation,or survey,or interview). I must approve your intended subject and location before you submit your proposal. I mustapprove your proposal before you can conduct your research.You will present your results in a written report and by giving an oral presentation during class. More details about the assignment will be discussed in class and posted on D2L.

Observation

In this assignment you will be conductingdirect observation.This assignment includes three parts: an observation sheet (submitted with your proposal prior to conducting your research), a copy of your fieldnotes, and a report of your findings from your observations.

Survey

In this assignment you will be conducting a short survey. This assignment consists of three parts: a survey guide (submitted with your proposal prior to conducting your research), a copy of your survey results, and a report of the findings from the survey.

Interview

In this assignment you will be conducting a short interview. The assignment includes three parts: an interview guide (submitted with your proposal prior to conducting your research), a copy of your fieldnotes, and a report of the findings from your interview.

Exams and Exam Policies

Absence on exam days is not permitted. Exams must be taken the day they are scheduled unless prior arrangements have been made with me to take an alternate version of the test prior to the scheduled exam date. If you have a conflict that precludes you from taking an exam during a particular class period, inform me at least two weeks prior to the date so arrangements can be made for you to take a different version of the exam prior to the scheduled exam date. Students should plan to arrive to class on time on exam days so as not to disturb other students. No one arriving after the first person finishes an exam will be allowed to take that exam. Verifiable emergencies for missing an exam will be assessed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis. Missed exams that are not excused will be recorded as a zero (0).Students are expected to follow the honor code when taking exams.

Exam questions will be in multiple formats including multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer, and short discussion questions. Exam questions will be derived from the readings, videos, classroom discussions (including those on D2L), presentations, and lecture material including that which may not be covered in any of the textbooks.

Attendance and Participation

I expect students to be actively engaged in the learning process by:

Attending class.(Your input and interaction with the instructor and your peers is important!)
Completing all assignments (including the readings) prior to the class for which they are due.(Assignments are due the date they are listed on the syllabus and not the following date.)
Participating in class discussions and activities. (This includes asking questions and commenting on assigned readings, lecture material, films, or other relevant material.)
CheckingD2L and your GRU email on a regular basis (at least once a week, preferably once per day). (Announcements, changes to the syllabus, articles, study guides, etc., may be posted in these locations.)

University policy mandates that attendance be recorded. Students are not allowed to miss more than 5class sessions per semester or they may be withdrawn from the course for excessive absences. Excused absences include verifiable emergencies (such as a death in the family) as determined by the instructor. All other absences will be considered unexcused. If you have a legitimate reason that precludes you from attending a particular class, please inform the instructor at least 1 week priorto the class you will miss.

Behavior in the Classroom

Classroom etiquette

Students should arrive on time, stay for the entirety of the class, and not disturb the learning processes of other students. Cell phones and other electronic devices that make noise should be turned off (not to vibrate) and not viewed during class. If you have extraordinary circumstances that require your phone to be on (such as being on call for work) please let me know at the beginning of the semester. (These calls will be taken in the hallway.) Laptop use is prohibited (except under special circumstances)in order to facilitatediscussion and face-to-face interaction. Students violating these policies will have points taken away from their class participation score or be marked as absent.

Recording

The use of recording devices (e.g. audio, video) is prohibited in the classroom. If you think you qualify for an exemption due to a disability please inform the instructor during the first week of class.

Discussions

Classroom discussions are to be open and amicable. The classroom will be a safe space to discuss the myriad topics of interest to cultural anthropologists. Students will agree to ground rules for classroom discussions at the beginning of the semester and treat one another with respect. Violators of the rules will be reminded of the rules as necessary. Violations may result in the loss of classroom participation points. As per the Student Handbook it is the right and responsibility of the instructor to manage classroom discussionsin keeping with the ideal of intellectual diversity.

Academic Honesty

Your work in this class should be your own. This includes all the work assigned for this course whether completed in or out of class. Academic honesty includes no cheating on exams and no plagiarism on any assignments. Plagiarism includes failure to cite (acknowledge) direct quotes and/or paraphrasing of another’s ideas. The only exception to the need to cite another’s work is when the information can be considered common knowledge. Students are allowed (and encouraged) to discuss course material outside of class. However, the direct use of any other student’s ideas must be acknowledged (cited). Course materials may be cited in-text without a works cited page. Sources outside of course materials must be cited in-text and listed in a works cited section. A style manual, such as APA, should be followed. See the student handbook for a full description of student rights, responsibilities, andpolicies on academic honesty ( When in doubt ask me.

Student Needs:

Testing & Disability Services: If you think you may need disability-related classroom accommodationsplease set up an appointment to meet with me the first week of classto discuss. In addition, contactTesting and Disability Servicesat 706-737-1469, , or

Other Campus Resources:

WritingCenter: or 706-737-1402.

Information Technology Services: or 706-721-4000.

CounselingCenter:, or 706-737-1471 or .

Tentative Class Schedule and Reading Assignments:

Please note assignments may be shifted as necessary to accommodate the flow of the course. You will be notified in advance of any such changes. You should expect to spend several hours outside of class reading course materials or completing out-of-class assignments for every hour you spend in class. Read assignments in the order in which they are listed. Feel free to conduct me via email if you have questions about an assignment or about the material. I strongly encourage each of you to visit with me during office hours (or by appointment) at least once during the first half of the semester to discuss your fieldwork, ask questions, relay concerns, or discuss course materials.

CC = Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition.
ACA = Applying Cultural Anthropology: An Introductory Reader, 9th edition.
Y = The Yanomamo, 6th edition.
D2L = Desire to Learn course website.

UNIT / DATE / TOPICS / COURSE MATERIAL COVERED / DUE
1. / January 6 CLASS BEGINS / Introduction to the course
Syllabus
Student information sheet
Groundrules / Student Information Sheet.
Name tent.
2. / January 8LAST DAY TO DROP (WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY) / Learning About You, Learning About Me / ACA – 8: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema (Pages 64-67).
After reading (Pages 64-67) write one paragraph* describing your reaction to the Nacirema. Send your paragraph to me via D2L and print out two copies to bring to class. Now continue reading.
CC – Chapter 1: What is Anthropology and Why Should I Care? (Pages 1-21).
Write a second paragraph* describing how you now view the Nacirema. Send it to me via D2L and print out two copiesto bring to class.
Y – The Longest Day: The First One (page 11), How Did They Accept You? (Pages 11-13), and Life in the Jungle: Oatmeal, Peanut Butter, and Bugs (Pages 13-20). / Turn in one-minute essays, D2L and in class.*
*Note: These two paragraphs and your comments on the readings from Y (one paragraph) will count as your one-minute essay for this class. Submit to D2L as instructed and bring two copies to class one for you to refer to and one to turn in.
3. / January 10 / Culture and
Race ≠ Biology / D2L -Diamond, Jared (1994) Race Without Color.
D2L -AAA Statement on Race.
CC - Chapter 2: Culture Counts (Pages 23–45). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
4. / January 13
ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION / Fieldwork (Part I)
Discussion and questions about fieldwork proposal and assignments (surveys, interviews, direct observation, and participant observation).
Begin to think about what your fieldwork will be. / CC – Chapter 3: Doing Cultural Anthropology (Pages 47-71). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
Note: for next class the one-minute essay will be a fieldwork comparison assignment.
5. / January 15 / Fieldwork (Part II)
Discussion and questions about fieldwork proposal and assignments
(surveys, interviews, direct observation, and participant observation). / Y – Foreword (Pages vii–viii), Author’s Preface to the Sixth Edition (Pages xi–xii), Acknowledgments (Pages xiii-xiv), Prologue (Pages 1–4), Chapter 1 (Pages 5-10).
ACA – 3: Maxwell's Demons: Disenchantment in the Field (Pages 16–26). / Turn in fieldwork comparison assignment, D2L and in class.
Tell me what you plan to do for fieldwork.
6. / January 17 / Fieldwork (Part III)
Discussion and questions about fieldwork.
Fieldwork approval... / Y – Collecting Yanomamo Genealogies and Reproductive Histories (Pages 20–44). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
7. / January 20 / HOLIDAY- NO CLASS. / HOLIDAY- NO CLASS.
8. / January 22 / Film:Do You Speak American? / Communication, dialects / Turn in fieldwork proposal D2L and in class.
9. / January 24 / Communication(Part I)
Discuss film. / CC – Chapter 4: Communication (Pages 73–97). / Turn in BOTH one-minute essays, D2L and in class. one for the film and one for today's reading.
10. / January 27 / Communication(Part II)
In-class exercise. / ACA – 15:Talk in the Intimate Relationship: His and Hers (Pages 114-121). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
11. / January 29 / Discussion.
Review for Exam #1. / Discussion.
Review for Exam #1. / Discussion.
Review for Exam #1.
12. / January 31 / Exam #1 / Exam #1 / Exam #1
13. / February 3 / Making a Living
Results: Exam #1. / CC – Chapter 5: Making a Living (Pages 99-123). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
14. / February 5 / Subsistence Strategies / ACA – 12: The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race (Pages 92-95).
Y – Chapter 2: Hunting, Gathering, and Gardening (Pages 60–83) and The Great Protein Debate: Yanomamo Data and Anthropological Theory (Pages 94-100). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
15. / February 7 / Economics / CC – Chapter 6: Economics (Pages 125-150).
ACA – 26: Conflict and Confluence in Advertising Meetings (Pages 206 –217). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
16. / February 10 / Marriage, Family, and Kinship(Part I) / CC – Chapter 7: Marriage, Family, and Kinship (Pages 151–177). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
17. / February 12 / Marriage, Family, and Kinship (Part II)
Start thinking about what you are going to do for your “Be the Minority” assignment. / Y – Chapter 4: Social Organization and Demography. (Pages 123–144 ONLY).
ACA – 4: When Brothers Share a Wife (Pages 27–31).
ACA –5: How Many Fathers Are Best for a Child? (Pages 32-35).
ACA –18:Gay Marriage and Anthropology (Pages 140-142). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
18. / February 14 / Sex and Gender(Part I)
Sign up for presentation slots. / CC – Chapter 8: Sex and Gender (Pages 179-202). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class for Feb14 and Feb 17*.
19. / February 17 / Sex and Gender (Part II)
Decide what your Be the Minority” assignment is going to be. / ACA – 19: “Strange County This”: An Introduction to North American Gender Diversity (Pages 143-150)
ACA – 17: Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?: Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others (Pages 133-139). / Fieldwork assignment DUE.
(Survey OR interview OR. direct observation)
20. / February 19 / Presentations
“Be the Minority” fieldwork idea DUE. / Oral presentations of fieldwork.
21. / February 21 / Presentations / Oral presentations of fieldwork.
22. / February 24 / Review for Exam #2. / Review for Exam #2.
23. / February 26 / Exam #2 / Exam #2 / Exam #2
24. / February 28 / Film: The Feast / “Be the Minority” proposaldue.
25. / March 3
MIDTERM (LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PENALTY GRADE) / Discussion: The Feast
Results Exam #2. / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class for the movie The Feast.
26. / March 5 / Politics (Part I) / CC – Chapter 9: Political Organization (Pages 203-227). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
27. / March 7 / Politics (Part II) / Y – Chapter 5: Political Alliances, Trading, and Feasting (Pages 163-188). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
28. / March 10 / Politics (Part III)
For extra credit watch the movie Crash and write a one-page report due 3/19. See D2L for details. / ACA – 28: The Kpelle Moot (Pages 229-236).
ACA – 30: Army enlists Anthropology in War Zones (Pages 240-242). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
29. / March 12 / Stratification (Part I)
For extra credit watch the movie Crash and write a one-page report due 3/19. See D2L for details.
Be the minority due 3/21. / CC – Chapter 10: Stratification: Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Caste (Pages 229-253).
ACA - 25: Just Another Job?: The Commodification of Domestic Labor (Pages 200-205). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
30. / March 14 / Stratification (Part II)
For extra credit watch the movie Crash and write a one-page report due 3/19. See D2L for details.
Be the minority due 3/21. / D2L - White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.
D2L – University of MichiganLawSchool’s Affirmative Action Policy 2003.
D2L – University of MichiganLawSchool’s Affirmative Action Policy 2013. / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
31. / March 17 / Stratification (Part III)
For extra credit watch the movie Crash and write a one-page report due 3/19. See D2L for details. / D2L – Fisher verses the University of Texas.
D2L – Florida State University Affirmative Action not Quotas. / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
32. / March 19 / Discussion and in-class exercise. / Extra credit for CrashDUE.
33. / March 21 / Discuss “Be the Minority” experiences. / “Be the Minority”assignment
DUE.
34. / March 24 / Spirituality, Belief Systems, and Religion (Part I) / CC – Chapter 11: Religion (Pages 255–280). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
35. / March 26 / Spirituality, Belief Systems, and Religion (Part II) / Y – Chapter 3 Myth and Cosmos (Pages 101-122).
ACA – 11: The Adaptive Value of Religious Ritual (Pages 85–91). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
36. / March 28 / Discussion.
Review for Exam #3. / Discussion.
Review for Exam #3. / Discussion.
Review for Exam #3.
37. / March 31 / Exam #3 / Exam #3 / Exam #3
38. / April 2 / A World System (Part I) / CC – Chapter 12: Power, Conquest, and a World System (Pages 281–304). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
39. / April 4 / A World System (Part II)
Results Exam #3. / Y – Chapter 6: Yanomamo Warfare (Pages 189– 210).
ACA – 34: Moral Fibers of Farmer Cooperatives: Creating Poverty and Wealth with Cotton in Southern Mali (Pages 264–271).
ACA - 36: The Search for Sustainable Markets: The Promise and Failures of Fair Trade (Pages 279–288). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
40. / April 7 / SPRING BREAK / SPRING BREAK
41. / April 9 / SPRING BREAK / SPRING BREAK
42. / April 11 / SPRING BREAK / SPRING BREAK
43. / April 14 / Presentation
44. / April 16 / Globalization (Part I) / CC – Chapter 13: Globalization and Change (Pages 305– 329). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
45. / April 18 / Globalization (Part II) / ACA – 37: Globalization from the Ground Up (Pages 289-294).
ACA – 33: Two Rights Make a Wrong: Indigenous Peoples Versus Environmental Protection Agencies (Pages 256-263).
ACA – 38: The Price of Progress (Pages 295–303).
ACA - 13: The Forgotten Population? Youth, Food Insecurity, and Rising Global Food Prices (Pages 96-106). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
46. / April 21 / Globalization (Part III) / Y – Chapter 8: The Acceleration of Change in Yanomamoland (Pages 233– 268).
Y – Chapter 9: Reflections on the Yanomamo - Fieldwork and Anthropology - (Pages 269-278). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
47. / April 23 / Future Directions in Anthropology. What are the Limits? / CC - Chapter 14: Anthropology Makes a Difference (Pages 331-354). / Turn in one-minute essay, D2L and in class.
48. / April 25 / Discussion
Revisit goals.
Reflection exercise. / Updated student information sheet and course reflection paper.
49. / April 28
LAST DAY OF CLASS / Complete student evaluations.
Review for final exam.
50. / April 29 READING DAY / READING DAY / READING DAY
51. / MAY 6 / FINAL EXAM / TUESDAY 10-NOON
52. / MAY 7 / GRADES DUE BY MIDNIGHT
53. / May 9 / GRADES VIEWABLE,
GRADUATION