Cultural Anthropology
Web Course
Soc. 154
Instructor
Jill Wolk, MSW, LCSW
Course Materials
Cultural Anthropology, The Human Challenge by Haviland, Prins, Walrath and McBride,11th ed.
Course Description
This web-based course is an introduction to the study of human culture, which aims to demonstrate how the basic concepts and techniques developed by anthropologist help us to understand societies of various degrees of complexity.Major goals are an increased awareness of the diversity and flexibility of human cultures through a comparison of marriage and family, economic, political, religious and language systems.
Course Objectives:
Examine cultural anthropology and other types of anthropology.
Evaluate the beginnings of human culture, how they communicated and survived.
Analyze economic systems, gender and family issues within an anthropological context.
Demonstrate knowledge of families and family issues in various societies.
Analyze groupings by sex, age, common interest and class and the systems thatcontrol individuals and groups.
Examine the forms of art and the protection of Cultural Heritages.
Research whether cultures must change and why and what, if anything can impact that change.
Examine the future of Humanity by examining ideas about One world culture,cultural Pluralism and Guatemalan Cultural Pluralism and Ethnocentrism.
Course Content / Chapters:
The Essence of Anthropology
The Characteristics of Culture
The Beginning of Human Culture
Language and Communication
Social Identity, Personality and Gender
Patterns of Subsistence
Economic Systems
Sex and Marriage
Family and Household
Kinship and Descent
Grouping by Gender
Politics, Power and Violence
Spirituality, Religion and the Supernatural
The Arts
Processes of Change
Global Challenges
Course Requirements
- Internet access and email:YOU MUST USE YOUR MAC E-MAIL!!! If you need help with this, see or speak with a Help Desk staff person. I will send you an e-mail during the beginning of the semester. I WILL DROP THOSE WHO DO NOT REPLY.
- Chapter Quizzes: 16 quizzes, corresponding with textbook chapters to be taken per the schedule. Quizzes involve 10, multiple choice questions completed in no longer than 15 minutes, quizzes are worth 10 points each. The lowest quiz score will be dropped. DO NOT START THE QUIZ UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO COMPLETE IT. IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO RESTART ONCE YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. Call the webct help desk 800 number if you experience difficulty…..the sooner the better. (866-522-1427)
- Short Research Paper: Students are required to select one from two topics, conduct research and write a 2-page paper about their findings. Other requirements are Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double spacing and 1 inch margins. The paper must be sent to the instructor as an attachment saved as a Rich Text Document. Papers must be the student’s original work……absolutely no papers which have been “cut and pasted” from various sources will be accepted. NO HARD COPY PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED (unless requested by myself). Research topics correlate with chapters 9 and 13. The chapter 9 topic is related to the photograph on page 246 of your text. In it you see a Maya family with a female engaging in “back strap weaving”.The deadline for this paper is October 3rd. The second research option correlates with chapter 13; Spirituality, Religion and the Supernatural. Conduct research on the Baha’i religion. Share not only your research findings but also your opinions. The deadline for this paper is November 19th. **Be sure that your name is on the attachment and cite your sources! The paper is valued at 100 points.
As a precautionary measure, print a copy of your paper. Should there be a system
error and I do not receive it, I will request your copy.
- From the publisher’s website, you will find “video exercises” included in most (not all) chapters. (There is a link to the publishers on the course home page.) During the semester, you will be required to select and access two “video exercises”, watch the clips and complete the critical thinking questions at the end. There is an option to send your response via email to the course instructor. Send to: These exercises are worth 50 points each. In order to get full credit, one must answer thoroughly and with more than a one sentence response. Should your home computer lack the capability to watch and hear video clips (Real Player), it is the student’s responsibility to find an alternative computer. The deadline for these assignments is November 29th. As a precautionary measure, print and save each exercise response. You can save this by using the “copy and paste” method.
Student Evaluation:
Quizzes: 10 points each, lowest score dropped, semester value – 150 points
Video Clips: critical thinking email, 2 required, 50 points each, semester value – 100 points
Research paper: evaluated on content, grammar and following directions, value - 100 points
Total course points for semester- 350
Grading Scale:
90 – 100%A
80 – 89%B
70 – 79%C
60 – 69%D
Below 60%F
Quiz Schedule
Quiz 1Aug. 21-27
Quiz 2Aug. 28-Sep 3
Quiz 3Sep. 4-10
Quiz 4 Sep. 11-17
Quiz 5Sep. 18-24
Quiz 6Sep. 25- Oct. 1
Quiz 7Oct. 2-8
Quiz 8Oct. 9-15
Quiz 9Oct. 16-22
Quiz 10Oct. 23-29
Quiz 11Oct. 30-Nov. 5
Quiz 12 Nov. 6-12
Quiz 13Nov. 13-19
Quiz 14Nov. 20-26
Quiz 15Nov. 27-Dec. 3
Quiz 16Dec. 4-10
Course Process:
- Access the course web page will be available on January 8thby going to:Log in to My Web CT. Your initial user password will be the first letter of your first name followed by your complete last name. If you are unable to log in, call the help desk at 1-866-522-1472.Help desk hours are Monday – Thursday, 8AM – 9PM, Friday 8AM-4PM and Saturday 9AM to 5PM
- Review the textbook chapter introductory page and its three learning objectives.
- Read the textbook chapter
- Go to the course web page in order to access the publisher’s link and the many learning activities. Use the “flash card” option as a study guide for each chapter quiz.
- Take the chapter quiz according to the schedule.
- Remember that chapters 9 and 13 are the units from which your one research paper is to be selected. Be mindful of that requirement and the deadline for that paper.
- Also, remember that two video exercises are required during the semester. When there is a chapter that you have found the most interesting, that would be a good time to complete this requirement. You may select any chapters, without regard to the schedule.
- Finally, keep in touch with the instructor via email (Groupwise). Your questions, concerns and feedback are welcomed.DO NOT LEAVE TELEPHONE MESSAGES OR NOTES IN MY OFFICE OR MAILBOX.
Academic Dishonesty:
Students who engage in dishonest acts, such as plagiarism or other forms of cheating,will be notified by the instructor that they will be receiving a F for the course.Students who wish to appeal the decision of the instructor on a matter of dishonesty may do so under the Procedural Policy for Disciplinary Action.
Special Needs
MineralAreaCollege complies with guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you need special assistance or support due to a disability, please contact me as soon as possible.