ANT 411/511 Anthropological Theory ● Dr. Nora Haenn Fall 2010
Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 1:00-2:30 Telephone: 513-2705
Office Locale: 1911 Bldg., Room 229 Email:
COURSE OBJECTIVE: This course offers a detailed introduction to anthropological theory, interpretive styles and research techniques of major nineteenth and twentieth century anthropologists working within the analytic frameworks of their times. As Laura Nader describes in her brief history of the field, the class examines the shift from the 19th to the 20th century: “from the library to the field, from diachronic to synchronic study, from the search for origins to relativism, from physical measurement to biological understanding, and from structure to function. The major achievements of 20th century
sociocultural anthropology moved away from piecemeal reportage to an identification of patterns and the idea that culture is made rather than received.”
PREQUISITE: ANT 252 and one of the following: ANT 310, 325, 330 or 346.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
• define the major theories that anthropologists use to study human culture,
• identify key thinkers in anthropological theorization and their impact on the discipline,
• compare and contrast the analytical and explanatory power of different anthropological theories,
• assess the social and historical context in which the major theories developed, and
• evaluate the contributions of the major theories to contemporary dialogues and debates in
anthropology.
REQUIRED READING
1) Erickson, Paul A. and Liam Murphy. 2008. A History of Anthropological Theory, 3rd ed. Ontario,
Canada: Broadview Press. ISBN: 1-55111-526-3
2) Erickson, Paul A. and Liam Murphy, eds. 2006. Readings for a History of Anthropological Theory,
2nd ed. Ontario, Canada: Broadview Press. ISBN: 1-55111-760-6
3) Moore, Henrietta and Todd Sanders, eds. 2006. Anthropology in Theory: Issues in Epistemology.
Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
GRADES: Grades will be based on the following assignments.
Seat time: For each class attended, students will receive 2 points toward their final grade. To receive this, students must be in their seats at the beginning of class when attendance is taken. Total seat time is worth 56 points.
Reading responses: Reading responses entail one, 250-word page of writing that summarizes the reading assignments and poses 3 questions for discussion. Like the papers, reading responses should be written in 12-point font with one-inch margins. Students may use the reading responses to explore the questions listed below under “Synthesis Papers.” By doing so, the reading responses will function as early drafts of the synthesis papers. Reading responses will be collected on Thursdays for grading and returned on Tuesdays. Each reading response is worth 4 points. Grading will based on how close the submissions fulfill these directions. (I.e. 100% complete = 4 points; 75% complete = 3 points, etc.) Points will be deducted for changes in font, margin, and other means that attempt to make a contribution appear longer. There are 21 reading responses which equal a total 84 points.
Expert panels: Each student will participate in one panel during the course of the semester. Expert panels include 4 students, a combination of graduate and undergraduate students. Each panel will be assigned 20 minutes of class time. Student panelists may use this time as they wish to demonstrate their expertise in the topic, respond to class questions, and otherwise reinforce the topic under discussion. Student participation in each panel is worth 50 points. The 50 points will be divided into 2 parts. The presentation itself will be worth 30 points based on a rubric that will be handed out in class. The remaining 20 points will be based on each student’s individual effort toward the group project based on my assessment as well as the peer evaluation attached to the end of this syllabus. Further directions on the peer assessment will be provided during class.
Synthesis Papers: Four synthesis papers due over the course of the semester. In each paper, students should review the writings in the previous section(s) and synthesize the theories described using any or all the following questions. These same questions will provide a touchstone for our discussions throughout the semester:
How does this author define culture? Where does the author say we should we look for culture?
How does this author define the “individual”? How does this author define the “group”? What does the author say holds the two together?
See writing and editing directions for more help with composition. Students can also get help with writing at the Tutorial Center: http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center. Undergraduate papers should be 5-7 pages in length, double-spaced, 12-point font, with one-inch margins (i.e. 1,250-1,500 words). Graduate student papers should be 7-10 pages in length, double-spaced, 12-point font, with one-inch margins (i.e. 1,500-2,000 words). Papers will be graded according to a grading rubric to be distributed during class. Additional instructions on developing a synthetic perspective for the paper will be offered in class.
Late Papers: I mark late papers down 25% for each 24 hours the paper is late. For example, if the paper is due on Tuesday at 10:30, the paper will be marked down 25% if handed in anytime between 10:31 on Tuesday and 10:30 on Wednesday. The paper will be marked down 50% if handed in anytime between 10:31 on Wednesday and 10:30 on Thursday, and so on. If a paper arrives at 10:31, I will likely assign it the higher grade. However if the paper arrives closer to 11 a.m., I am unlikely to sway.
Class Discussion: In order to reward people’s contributions to class, I will keep a rough track of how often students speak up. In order to give everyone a fair chance to contribute, whenever I call on students, I will give first preference to those who have not yet had a chance to speak. Also, I recognize that in a class that includes both graduates and undergraduates, the undergraduates sometimes prefer to be quiet. As such, undergraduates will receive bonus points for their contributions to class discussion. Graduate students may earn up to 50 points for class discussion. Undergraduates may earn up to 75 points.
Graduate Undergraduate
Assignment Points Points Final grades will be based on the following scale
Percentage Grade Points
Seat time (12%) 56 56 97 --100 = A+ 471-485
Reading responses (17%) 84 84 94 -- 96 = A 456-470
Expert panel (10%) 50 50 90 -- 93 = A- 436-455
Synthesis papers (4 in all; 50%; 41%) 240 200 87 -- 89 = B+ 421-435
Seminar Discussion (10%; 15%) 50 75 84 -- 86 = B 407-420
Bonus points 5 20 80 -- 83 = B- 388-406
TOTAL 485 485 77 -- 79 = C+ 373-387
74 -- 76 = C 359-372
70 -- 73 = C- 340-358
67 -- 69 = D+ 325-339
64 -- 66 = D 310-324
60 -- 63 = D- 291-309
Below 60 = F Below
GRADING PHILOSOPHY
What perspective do I bring to student grades? I generally combine 2 points of view, one that is simple and is based on different levels of knowledge and one that considers a student’s performance as a whole.
First point of view: Grades can reflect different levels of knowledge, as follows:
D=comprehends material when text is at hand
C=comprehends material and is able to communicate that understanding without the aid of original text, i.e. has memorized and can verbalize the content of assignments
B= has memorized and can verbalize the content of assignments and connects the material at hand with other aspects of the class
A= achieves all the above and is able to say something new about how this material connects to other material
Second point of view: Grades consider the whole of a student’s performance, as follows:
A: Outstanding. Excellent.: Indicates a student who demonstrates thorough knowledge of concepts and frameworks and exceptional skill in the application and articulation of those concepts and frameworks in satisfying course requirements. Demonstrates the ability to analyze and synthesize materials from both inside and outside the classroom. Participates thoughtfully and extensively in class discussions and group exercises. Is not late for or absent from class.
B: Good. Competent.: Indicates a student who has good, above average, level of knowledge of concepts and frameworks together with considerable skill in using them to satisfy course requirements. Participates regularly in class discussions and group exercises. Is rarely late for or absent from class.
C: Average. Fairly Competent:
Indicates a student who has a basic, acceptable level of knowledge of concepts and frameworks together with some skill in using them to satisfy course requirements. Follows assignment directions and meets deadlines. Participates in class discussions and groups exercises. Is not late for or absent from class more than three times.
D: Below Expectations. Passing: Indicates a student who has minimal knowledge of concepts and frameworks and below average ability to use them to satisfy course requirements. Communication skills below what is expected of a college student. Fails to attend regularly and to participate appropriately in class exercises.
F: Well Below Expectations. Failure: Indicates a student who shows little or no understanding of concepts and frameworks and is unable to relate materials from inside and outside the classroom. Student fails to seek assistance from appropriate resources for improvement; is consistently late in meeting course requirements; and is habitually late for or absent from class. Fails to participate appropriately in classroom discussion and group exercises.
ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES:
Incompletes: Incompletes will only be given if the student meets the university requirements outlined in the following document: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.13.php
Late Arrivals, Absences, and Attendance: Attendance is required. There will be no makeup of missed assignments, exams, presentations and except as defined by University policy on excused absences. Anticipated absences must be cleared with the instructor before missing class. For more information on excused absences please consult: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php
Academic Integrity: Assignments in this class are intended to assess individual knowledge and understanding of the subject material addressed in this class. Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. All individuals involved in an act of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. If you have any questions about what constitutes academic integrity and the potential penalties incurred therein, please consult:
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_conduct/POL445.00.1.htm
Open Learning Environment: The intention and structure of university level courses are to provide open, thoughtful forums for a wide variety of topics. While discussing these topics, students shall not discriminate on the basis of “race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability or veteran status” as outlined in the University’s Unlawful Harassment Policy, available at: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/campus_environ/non-discrimination/REG04.25.4.php
If you have a concern in this regard, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 515-3148, or contact the instructor.
Physical or Learning Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653, and present the instructor with a letter indicating what types of accommodations will be required. Please consult: http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss . For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please consult:
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/courses_undergrad/REG02.20.1.php
ASPECTS OF THIS SYLLABUS MAY CHANGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. ANY CHANGES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN CLASS AND POSTED ON THE COURSE’S VISTA SITE.
ALWAYS BRING ASSIGNED READINGS TO CLASS, AS WE WILL USE THEM IN OUR ACTIVITIES
COURSE SCHEDULE:
(an asterisk * denotes optional readings for undergraduates)
(online articles are located on the course VISTA site)
Thurs, Aug 19 Introduction and Course Overview
Tues, Aug 24 The Enlightenment and Positivism
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 17-42
Erickson and Murphy/Readings: 3-10 [Hereafter denoted as ‘E&M’]
Boas, Franz (1932): The Aims of Anthropological Research (M&S)
I. Foundations of Social Theory
Thurs, Aug 26 The Collective Conscience: Durkheim
Due: Two responses due for Aug 24 and Aug 26 assignments
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 78-81
Durkheim, Emile (1915): Introduction to The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (E&M)
Durkheim, Emile (1938): Rules for the Explanation of Social Facts (M&S)
Tues, Aug 31 Evolutionism: Spencer and Darwin, Tyler and Morgan
Expert Panel #1
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 46-74
Spencer, Herbert (1876): The Organic Analogy Reconsidered (E&M)
Darwin, Charles (1871): General Summary and Conclusion to The Descent of Man (E&M)
Tylor, Edward (1873): The Science of Culture (E&M)*
Morgan, Lewis (1877): Ethnical Periods (E&M)*
Thurs, Sep 2 History and Materialism: Marx
Due: Two responses due for Aug 31 and Sep 2 assignments
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 43-48
Erickson and Murphy /Readings: 10-12
Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels (1888): Bourgeois and Proletarians (E&M)
Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels (1845-46): “Feuerbach: Opposition of the Materialist and Idealist
Outlook,” in Anthropological Theory: An Introductory History, pp. 54-68 [4th ed., 2008]. R.
McGee and R. Warms, eds. Boston: McGraw Hill. (online)*
Tues, Sep 7 Rationalization and Modernity: Weber
Expert Panel #2
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 81-84
Weber, Max (1922): The Sociology of Charismatic Authority (E&M)
Weber, Max (2006): Puritanism and the Spirit of Capitalism (M&S)
B: THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY
I. American Cultural Anthropology
Thurs, Sep 9 Historical Particularism I: Boas
Due: Two responses due for Sep 7 and Sep 9 assignments
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 93-97
Boas, Franz (1920): The Methods of Ethnology (E&M)
Boas, Franz (1940): The Limitations of the Comparative Method of Anthropology (M&S)
Tues, Sep 14 Historical Particularism II: Lowie and Kroeber
Expert Panel #3
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 98-102
Lowie, Robert (1920): Conclusion to Primitive Society (E&M)
Kroeber, Alfred (1923): What Anthropology is About (E&M)
Kroeber, Alfred (1952): The Concept of Culture in Science (M&S)*
Thurs, Sep 16 Culture and Personality: Mead and Benedict
Due: Two responses due for Sep 14 and Sep 16 assignments
Readings:
Erickson and Murphy/History: 102-111
Mead, Margaret (1928): Introduction to Coming of Age in Samoa (E&M)