Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/

Required Textbook:

Cultural Anthropology (10th ed.) by William A. Haviland (Harcourt, 2002) (paperback with web-enhancement). ISBN 0-15-504140-2.

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to provide a solid introduction to the major issues in Anthropology. Students will become familiar with Anthropologically related ideas to help them view the world with a more open-minded approach. Since many topics in Anthropology are controversial (e.g., creationism/evolution, race/ethnicity, cultural superiority/inferiority, sexuality/gender, poverty and inequality), this class is bound to be exciting and thought provoking. Students in the modern world must face these and other issues and learn to formulate their own ideas and opinions on how to deal with such controversial issues.

Objectives:

1. To acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of the discipline of Anthropology including its major concepts, theories, methods and models.

2. To recognize and appreciate the major cultural features which explain or lead to diversity in human cultures.

3. To comprehend the complexity of selected preliterate cultural systems through an Anthropological perspective.

4. To understand and apply basic Anthropological perspectives and methods to our own culture in order to view it more objectively, relatively, and critically.

5. To learn to comprehend, apply, analyze, and evaluate the internal views offered by the authors of articles and/or ethnographies and to synthesize a personal perspective based on theories and concepts.

Course Requirements and Grading Procedure:

There will be four tests during the course of the semester about every 3-4 weeks that will consist of 50 multiple choice questions each. These tests are designed to check your comprehension of Anthropology as the class progresses. This class uses the 10 Point Grading Scale (90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F). Absences will affect your performance in this class as 20% of your grade is based on attendance. Missed tests due to unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excuses must be signed by a doctor or other official giving a valid explanation for the absence. There will be no make up opportunities in this class except for excused absences nor is there extra credit.

20% of your grade is based on attendance (see Attendance and Tardiness Policy)

80% of your grade is based on tests (4) at 20% each

100%: TOTAL POSSIBLE PERCENTAGE POINTS

Class Schedule:

Students are expected to read the assigned material BEFORE coming to class so that they are well informed and up to date on the subject matter to be covered in that day's lecture.

August

W 21: Chapter 1. The Nature of Anthropology. (19)

M 26: Chapter 2. The Nature of Culture. (22)

W 28: Chapter 2. The Nature of Culture. (22)

September

M 2: Labor Day. No Class.

W 4: Chapter 3. The Beginnings of Human Culture. (54)

M 9: Chapter 3. The Beginnings of Human Culture. (54)

W 11: Chapter 3. The Beginnings of Human Culture. (54). Human Origins Web Cast.

M 16: Chapter 4. Language and Communication. (18)

W 18: TEST 1: Chapters 1-4.

M 23: Chapter 5. Growing Up Human. (18)

W 25: Chapter 5. Growing Up Human. (18). Baka Video.

M 30: Chapter 6. Patterns of Subsistence. (30)

October

W 2: Chapter 6. Patterns of Subsistence. (30). Nomads of the Rainforest Video.

M 7: Chapter 7. Economic Systems. (19)

W 9: Chapter 7. Economic Systems. (19). Ongka’s Big Moka Video.

M 14: Chapter 8. Sex and Marriage. (26)

W 16: Chapter 8. Sex and Marriage. (26)

M 21: TEST 2: Chapters 5-8.

W 23: Chapter 9. Family and Household. (12)

M 28: Chapter 10. Kinship and Descent. (27)

W 30: Chapter 10. Kinship and Descent. (27)

November

M 4: Chapter 11. Grouping by Sex, Age, Common Interest, and Class. (20)

W 6: Chapter 12. Political Organization and Social Control. (15)

M 11: TEST 3: Chapters 9-12.

W 13: Chapter 13. Culture and the Supernatural. (32)

M 18: Chapter 13. Culture and the Supernatural. (32). Warriors of the Amazon Video.

W 20: Chapter 14. The Arts. (24). African Art & Drumming Videos.

M 25: Chapter 15. Cultural Change. (22)

W 27: Thanksgiving Holiday. No Class.

December

M 2: Chapter 15. Cultural Change. (22). Ishi The Last Yahi Video.

W 4: Chapter 16. Anthropology and the Future. (22)

M 9: Chapter 16. Anthropology and the Future. (22)

W 11: TEST 4 (Final Exam), 8:30-9:30 PM. Chapters 13-16.

Disclaimer:

This schedule is an outline of planned course readings and activities that may be modified to allow for addition or deletion of certain classroom materials, discussions, guest speakers, etc. Movies or videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance.

Cellular Phones, Beepers, Pagers, and Other Disruptions in Class:

Disruption of class due to cellular phones, beepers, pagers, etc. will NOT be tolerated. Students are required to turn OFF all cell phones, beepers, pagers, etc. prior to the beginning of class. Students disrupting the class with such devices will be asked to leave the classroom and will not be readmitted for the remainder of the class. It is also requested that students NOT carry on private conversations during lectures or during videos, as it is extremely rude and distracting to your classmates and to your professor.

Attendance and Tardiness Policy:

Tardiness will not be accepted, as it is very disruptive to your professor and to the class. It is therefore necessary that you show up on time for class every day. You will be required to sign a class roster to indicate your attendance for the day, thus it is crucial for you to arrive on time in order to sign the roster and receive your attendance credit. 20% of your grade is based on attendance. Failure to show up on time forfeits your attendance credit for the day. Attendance is calculated by a simple formula as follows: x/31 x 100 where x = number of days present in class (there are 31 total class days scheduled). For example, a person missing only one day (30 out of 31days) would have an attendance grade of 96.77. This figure is then multiplied by .20 (20%) to calculate the amount attendance contributes to the overall grade. A student missing 8 days (25% of class meetings) or more will automatically receive an “F” (Fail) in the course.

Requests for Modifications:

Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet the professor as soon as possible. An official letter from MSC documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodations.

In Case of Fire:

In the event of a fire alarm, students should exit the building in a quick and orderly manner through the nearest hallway exit not obstructed by fire and/or smoke. Be familiar with the floor plan and exits of the building. In case of fire, do not use elevators. Do not reenter the building under any circumstances. Assemble for a head count outside the building away from fire apparatus and report your presence to your instructor.

Drop Date:

The last day to drop this course with a “W” is October 15, 2002.

The last day to drop this course with a “WF” is November 26, 2002.