Anthropology 439: Cultural Comparison Through Film
Summer 2015, Schedule # 20021, Online
“Whether we like it or not, cinema assumes a pedagogical role in
the lives of many people. It may not be the intent of a filmmaker to
teach audiences anything, but that does not mean that lessons are
not learned” – bell hooks
Instructor Information
Instructor: Dr. Arianna Huhn (pronounced hue-n)
Contact Info: ahuhn@mail.sdsu.edu
Welcome!
Because this is an online course, we won’t have any time together during which I can
lay out instructions for you verbally.
This means we have to rely heavily on
course documents such as this one, and I
SYLLABUS QUIZ
need to count on you to read these
Please read this document carefully and
documents fully. Please note, only
completely. You must pass a Syllabus Quiz with a
students who are prepared for distance
score of 70% or higher in order to remain enrolled
learning should take this class. To
in the class.
evaluate your readiness, take SDSU’s
“Distance or Hybrid Readiness Survey.”.
Even though this is a summer course, it is a condensed course, and it primarily involves
watching movies, this does not mean the course is “easy.” Please come to class ready to
put in significant work (approx. 24 hours / week) to succeed
Course Description & Goals
This course uses film to introduce students to the anthropological perspective and key
disciplinary topics. The class is premised not on a set of facts, a specific theory, or a
geographical region, but instead on learning to make sense of cultural differences,
interrogate common human dilemmas, and identify popular cultural myths.
Our focus will largely be relating film content to topics of particular interest to anthropologists
– identity, worldview, family, hierarchy, violence, economics, and cultural change – and
specifically how different societies approach and wrestle with the contradictions and
ambiguities inherent in these issues (rather than how the issues are absolutely solved).
In addition to considering mainstream US culture, this class will provide an introduction to
populations from Samoa, Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, New Zealand, and Iran, among other
locales and subpopulations. Students will also enhance their digital citizenship and research
skills. PREREQUISITE: Completion of GE requirement in Foundations of Learning II.B
(Social and Behavioral Sciences), for non-majors.
Student Learning Outcomes
• Articulate, identify, and Interpret universal human problems and cultural myths as they are
dramatized in popular films
• Critically appraise common ethnocentric assumptions and stereotypes about societies, and
simplistic dichotomies for categorizing human behaviors, societal traits, and cultures
• Synthesize information, compiling disparate thoughts and ideas (your own and others’) into
unique compositions that propose new patterns or alternative interpretations
• Demonstrate specific cultural knowledge of select world populations
Syllabus, Page 2
This course can be used to fulfill the Explorations IV B (Social & Behavioral Sciences)
requirement. Students entering this class should therefore do so with full understanding that
they will be expected to engage in the following:
 Explore and recognize basic terms, concepts, and domains of the social sciences
 Comprehend diverse theories and methods of the social sciences
 Identify and discuss interrelatedness and distinctiveness of human behavioral patterns
 Apply conceptual frameworks to a first-hand engagement with contemporary issues
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: Students should be aware that this course will not address
cinematography, the ethnography of film production and consumption, or the history and
theory of visual or media anthropology. Also, although we will watch almost entirely nonfiction films, please remember that this is an academic class, not a movie theatre – films
have been selected because they are useful pedagogical tools, not because they are
necessarily entertaining or have high cinematic quality. Rather than concentrating on
whether or not you like the films we watch, you are encouraged to think about how and what
you can learn from applying an anthropological perspective when watching them.
WARNINGS: In addition to class discussion of sensitive topics, films required for the course
feature nudity, harsh language, excessive violence, killing of animals, drug use, and other
material some students find offensive or difficult to watch. You are encouraged to speak with
a counselor if, as a result of course assignments, you find yourself in an uncomfortable
emotional state or unable to complete course activities.
Technology Requirements
To prepare your computer for this course you are encouraged to:
• Download (for free) all necessary software, including latest versions of: Adobe’s Acrobat
Reader, Flash Player, QuickTime Player, and Java
• Ensure that you are familiar with using Blackboard (Click here for tutorials)
• Familiarize yourself with and practice how to save a webpage as a PDF (Click here)
• Familiarize yourself with and practice how to embed a clickable link in Blackboard (Click here)
• Download a browser such as Mozilla’s Firefox that works well with Blackboard
• Formulate a backup plan for fulfilling course obligations if your computer malfunctions
• Recommended: Get speakers or a headset to enhance audio quality
This class requires you to use Twitter. You can use your regular account (if you have
one), or create one for this class. Details for setting up a Twitter account can be found here.
You will also need to link your Twitter account that you use for this class with Storify,
a free web-based social media curation platform. Please see the Social Media Handout for
more information on the use of Twitter and Storify in our class.
Communication
I will occasionally post course updates using Blackboard announcements. The primary
methods that I will use to communicate with you (personally) are email and the
Blackboard grade book (click on “comments” to access my notes and feedback). It is your
responsibility to ensure that the email linked to Blackboard is an adequate means of
contacting you. Some email systems block Blackboard mailings as if they are spam; either
fix this, or get an SDSU email account. You are responsible for checking your personal
email, Blackboard announcements, and Grade Book at least every other day for courserelated updates. You are also encouraged to regularly monitor your Twitter notifications for
course-related content.
Your emails to me are often answered upon receipt. However, you must allow for a 24-hour turnaround (not
including holidays and weekends). Email does sometimes go awry -- If you do not hear back from me, please
try again with a different heading (in case the original was recognized as spam). When sending email, please
include your full name and the course # (AN439) in the subject line to ensure a prompt response.
Syllabus, Page 3
Course Format
This is a fully online course utilizing the Blackboard learning management system. We
will also make use of social media platforms for collaboration and discussion. All course
materials (with the exception of the textbook) are provided electronically.
The course is divided into six modules, each of which is one week in length. These
modules are locked. To unlock each module, you must pass the associated Chapter
Quiz with a score of 70% or higher – you have unlimited attempts to pass each quiz.
The course is thus designed with “flipped classroom” ideals, meaning that the learning
of basic concepts is done on your own, and we will use our structured time together to
dig deeper into the material – applying and building on basic concepts to promote active
learning and critical thinking. “Structured time” includes pre-recorded lectures and
optional synchronous film viewings with associated LiveChats
In the Blackboard navigation menu you will see the six module tabs. Clicking on each
tab will take you to a module homepage that contains a “Getting Started” section, the
Chapter Quiz, and a calendar snapshot. Upon passing the Chapter Quiz, a link for
the module’s content will become visible. Clicking on the link will take your to a brief
introduction to each of the two associated films and focus questions for the material. A
“Learning materials” link houses the following materials for each film:
 Streaming Link – to access the film, on demand
 Supplementary Reading(s) – material to further critical thinking
 Lecture – video presentation of major ideas and themes
 Viewing Guide – plot summary & questions to promote active viewing (optional)
 Movie Quiz – tests comprehension of course material in relation to the film
The blackboard setup follows the following organizational schematic, with Learning
Module 1 and Film 1 expanded to reveal the information hierarchy:
In addition to the quizzes, your active viewing of the film, critical thinking, and
comprehension of course content in relation to the viewings will be demonstrated
through participation activities. By the end of the term, you will also complete three
essays that demonstrate achievement of the Student Learning Outcomes for this course.
These assignments are explained below.
Syllabus, Page 4
Grades
Your grade in the course will be determined by your ability to demonstrate knowledge of
material explicitly taught through lectures and readings, to utilize the perspectives and
concepts we discuss to illuminate cultural myths human dilemmas, and to synthesize
course material to provide relevant, on-point, and unique interpretations. Your grade will
be weighted as follows: participation (42%), textbook quizzes (12%), movie quizzes
(30%), and final exam (16%).
PARTICIPATION will take place through discussion board posts about course
lectures and readings, “tweeting” about course films, and using Storify to provide a
synopsis of and reflection on the films in relation to course content. You will have five
activities to complete for each module.
TEXTBOOK QUIZZES must be completed to unlock each module (single attempt
score of 70% or higher). You may take them as many times as you need to in order
to unlock the module, but your grade will be based on your first three attempts (or
less, where you don’t reach three attempts!). The quizzes are multiple choice. They
are open-book and open-note.
MOVIE QUIZZES must be completed by the end of each module. They cover the
module’s films in relation to the related supplemental readings and textbook
chapter(s). You have one attempt for each quiz. The quizzes are multiple choice.
They are open-book and open-note.
The FINAL EXAM consists of three essays through which you will demonstrate your
achievement of the course Student Learning Outcomes (as outlined above). Essay
prompts are available now and you may compose your essays at any point
throughout the term. They are due by the final day of our class.
Although every student willing to engage the material should be able to pass, please
recognize that this is an upper division course and it does not offer an “easy A.”
Do not expect to earn marks that suggest an exemplary (“A”) or very good (“B”)
performance if you cannot meet the expectations of an upper-division social science
class, namely to:
 Read a substantial number of pages each week;
 Extract main arguments and lines of evidence/support from scholarly literature;
 Engage in critical thinking;
 Formulate and support argumentative theses;
 Conduct research using reputable, scholarly sources;
 Write to college-level standards; and
 Substantively contribute to collegial discussions.
If you are taking the course C/NC, please be aware that the University considers a C- (C
minus) as a NC (no credit) grade. “Passing” will require at least 72.5% in this class.
EXTRA CREDIT can be earned by completing online activities and surveys sporadically
made available to you for extra points. Information about these opportunities will be
provided as it becomes available in the announcements section on Blackboard. Extra
Credit can provide up to a 5% boost to your final grade.
Syllabus, Page 5
Films
The assigned films are all available to stream on-demand via Blackboard. By accessing
the films via Blackboard, you agree to the copyright terms and conditions for fair use
specified in the Teach Act.
You have the option to watch the film
synchronously with the instructor and other
class members, and to engage in a LiveChat
via Twitter to earn participation credit.
Alternative activities are available for
asynchronous watchers. These viewings take
place each week on Friday at 10:30am, and on
Sunday at 9:00pm, with the exception of the first
week of class where both viewings are
scheduled on Sunday. Dates and times for
synchronous viewings are marked in the course
schedule (below).
FILM SCREENING LIVE CHATS
To participate in the live chats, you must
ensure a fast and stable internet
connection. Use the World Clock to sync
your timepiece with other users. Cue the
video ahead of time, and press “play” at
the date and time indicated in the course
calendar. Follow and participate in the
livechat via Twitter. See the course Social
Media Handout for more information.
To assist you in enacting critical thinking in relation to the films, and to set you up for
success on film quizzes, you are provided with a Viewing Guide for each film.
Readings
Required Textbook: Robbins, Richard H. 2012. Cultural Anthropology: A ProblemBased Approach, 6th edition. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning
* the first chapter is provided to you electronically; copyright restrictions prohibit providing
additional chapters. Please secure your own copy as soon as possible.
Please note that the textbook for this course is provided and assigned as a
learning tool, more than it is as the primary learning material of this course. This is
in recognition of the fact that (as a course that can be used to fulfill a General Education
requirement), this is the first anthropology course many students have taken, and a grasp
on basic concepts may be necessary in order to engage course material at the level
required in an upper-division class. Basic disciplinary concepts will be applied in class
rather than explicitly lectured about; should you be interested in receiving more explicit
pedagogical instruction on basic disciplinary concepts, consider taking SDSU’s AN102:
Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology.
Supplemental Readings listed in the course calendar are all required. These
readings have been selected to: provide background to and enhance your understanding
of concepts and cultures discussed in lecture; introduce theories, ideas, and analytical
perspectives that you will be expected to apply to assigned movies; and demonstrate the
application of anthropological perspectives. Supplemental readings more generally are
meant to: model academic writing that synthesizes information about film and culture,
which you will be expected to replicate in Participation Assignments; and to more
effectively engage, challenge, and inspire students with scholarly interest in anthropology,
culture, and/or film. All supplemental readings are accessible electronically. Please
note that memorizing specific authors’ arguments is not an objective in this class,
though you will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of and familiarity with these
arguments through their application in assignments and quizzes.
Syllabus, Page 6
Other Notes
Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty
Academic integrity is one of the fundamental principles of a university community. San
Diego State University expects the highest standards of academic honesty from all
students.
Violations of academic integrity include the following:
(1) unauthorized assistance on an examination;
(2) falsification or invention of data;
(3) unauthorized collaboration on an academic exercise;
(4) plagiarism;
(5) misappropriation of research materials;
(6) unauthorized access of an instructor’s files or computer account; and
(7) any other serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor.
If your academic integrity is not maintained on a test or assignment, you will
automatically receive a grade of zero (0) for that test or assignment, and you will be
reported to the Dean’s Office in accordance with SDSU Academic Integrity Policy.
Penalties can be severe. More specific information is available in the SDSU Bulletin,
both in print and on-line.
Disability Accommodation
The instructor for this class will accommodate disabilities and protect students’
confidentiality regarding disability issues. Students with and without official
accommodation requests can set up a private consultation with the instructor to request
and determine alternative assignment submission schedules or testing formats to meet
your needs. Accommodations are not retroactive; you are encouraged to alert the
instructor to your needs as soon as possible.
Student Privacy and Intellectual Property
You are assured the privacy of grades and feedback on individual assignments, unless
you waive these rights. Your consent will always be obtained before copies of your work
are retained as examples for future students’ reference.
Course Schedule
Course Schedule *all coursework must be submitted by 11:59pm on or before the date indicated
Module
Dates and Assignments
Module 1
Reel v Real
DATES: 5/21 (Thursday) – 5/28 (Thursday)
Chapter 1 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 1
MOVIE ONE
Babies (2010)
LiveChat / **Sunday 5/22 10:30am-11:50am
Reading: Small 1997 (7 pages)
MOVIE TWO
Krippendorf’s Tribe (1998)
Readings: Downey 2011 (7 pages)
LiveChat / Sunday 5/24 9:00pm-10:35pm
.
.
Friday 5/22: Ice Breaker (initial post); Profile Page; Sunday 5/26: Participation Activity I; Ice Breaker (2
guesses); Tuesday 5/26: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 5/27: Movie ONE & TWO Quizzes;
Participation Activity II; Thursday 5/28: Participation Activity V
Module 2
Identity
DATES: 5/28 (Thursday) – 6/4 (Thursday)
Chapter 6 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 2
MOVIE THREE Mr. Baseball (1992)
LiveChat / Friday 5/29 10:30 am – 12:20pm
Reading: Weisman 1991 (3 pages)
MOVIE FOUR Pariah (2011)
Reading: Cole & Guy-Sheftall 2003 (27 pages)
LiveChat / Sunday 5/31 9:00pm–10:26pm
.
.
Sunday 5/31: Participation Activity I; Tuesday 6/2: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 6/3: Movie
ONE & TWO Quizzes; Participation Activity II; Thursday 6/4: Participation Activity V
Module 4
Globalization
Module 3
Family
DATES: 6/4 (Thursday) – 6/11 (Thursday)
Chapter 5 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 3
MOVIE FIVE
Mother of George (2013)
LiveChat / Friday 6/5 10:30am – 12:20pm
Reading: Smith 2004 (17 pages)
MOVIE SIX
A Separation (2013)
Reading: Rahimieh 2009 (15 pages)
LiveChat / Sunday 6/7 9:00pm-11:02pm
.
.
Sunday 6/7: Participation Activity I; Tuesday 6/9: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 6/10: Movie
FIVE & SIX Quizzes; Participation Activity II; Thursday 6/11: Participation Activity V
DATES: 6/11 (Thursday) – 6/18 (Thursday)
Chapter 2 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 4
MOVIE SEVEN Whale Rider (2002)
LiveChat / Friday 6/12 10:30am – 12:11pm
Reading: Hokowhitu 2007 (8 pages)
MOVIE EIGHT Babel (2006)
Reading: Ehrenreich et.al. 2002 (12 pages)
LiveChat / Sunday 6/14 9:00-11:23pm
.
.
Sunday 6/14: Participation Activity I; Tuesday 6/16: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 6/17: Movie
SEVEN & EIGHT Quizzes; Participation Activity II; Thursday 6/18: Participation Activity V
Module 5
Hierarchy
DATES: 6/18 (Thursday) – 6/25 (Thursday)
Chapter 7 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 5
MOVIE NINE
Stand and Deliver (1988)
LiveChat / Friday 6/19 10:30am-12:13pm
Reading: Bulman 2002 (24 pages)
.
MOVIE TEN
Crash (2004)
LiveChat / Sunday 6/21 9:00-10:52pm
Reading: Phyllis Jones 2000 (3 pages); Farris 2007 (5 pages); Alder-Bell 2015 (8 pages)
.
Sunday 6/21: Participation Activity I; Tuesday 6/23: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 6/24: Movie
NINE & TEN Quizzes; Participation Activity II; Thursday 6/25: Participation Activity V
Module 6
Violence
DATES: 6/25 (Thursday) – 7/2 (Thursday)
Chapter 8 Quiz must be completed to unlock Module 6
MOVIE ELEVEN City of God (2002)
LiveChat / Friday 6/26 10:30am-12:40pm
Reading: Goldstein 2003 (50 pages -- it’s long, but it’s really, really engaging)
MOVIE TWELVE The Orator (2011)
LiveChat / Sunday 6/28 9:00-10:50pm
Reading: Macpherson and Macpherson 2006 (30 pages)
.
.
Sunday 6/28: Participation Activity I; Tuesday 6/30: Participation Activity IV; Wednesday 7/1: Movie
ELEVEN & TWELVE Quizzes; Participation Activity II; Thursday 7/2: Participation Activity V; Final Exam