TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY
Anthropology 101 course SUMMER 2013
Instructor: Dr Claudia Launhardt
e mail: claudial@twu.ca
Tel 604 922 4246 (9am- 9pm)
Course description:
Introduction to the general field of anthropology, including very brief reviews of scientific theories as basis
of the academic research, as well as social, cultural, ethnographical and methodological topics which
refer to the discipline. The course includes a study of diversity and similarity of behavior patterns, values,
traditions, economical systems and customs of people in different cultural contexts- present and past.
The focus will be to enhance students understanding of human nature. This will be derived from the
investigation of the variety and range of socially standardized responses to the circumstances of human
living. Such insight transcends a culture- bound approach, which views things from the narrow
perspective of one’s native cultural background. In each aspect of human culture this introduction seeks
to provide an appreciation of other cultures as well an understanding of our values attitudes within
society, lastly it reflects the perspective of our Christian faith toward society.
Text:
Ferraro, Gary: Cultural Anthropology’ an applied perspective
(Eights EDITION) 2009 Minneapolis, West/ Wadsworth Publishing Company
For Anthropological theories please visit:
www.as.ua.edu/ant/Faculty/murphy/evol.htm
www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/anthropology/theories.html
Additional Literature is provided by Professor
Course Objectives:
1. To recognize and use anthropological method of field research which provides scientific approaches to
examination and analysis of human culture and society.
2. To perceive the characteristics, view of reality and complexity of diverse cultures.
3. To develop an appreciation and respect for the diverse ways human order their lives, especially
through discussion of those institutions and behaviors which characterize and form a society.
4. To relate responsibly to other cultures and to participate actively in breaking down barriers such as
racism or hinder humans living in informed and compassionate co- existence.
5. To learn and use the tools and criteria of anthropological field research, that methods of examining
another culture.
6 To realize that Christianity is a religion of freedom and compassion and to understand that the bible
provides a basis of respecting other cultures and behavior patterns.
Attendance:
It is the responsibility of students to submit assignments for all class sessions. No papers will be
accepted after the given deadline.
Evaluation:
Grade
Percentage
A+
95-100
A
91- 94
A86-90
B+
81-85
B
77-80
B73-76
C+
69-72
C
65-68
C60-64
D
50-59
F FAILURE, below 50% must be repeated for credit
I INCOMPLETE
Course requirements:
Final grades in this course will be assigned on basis of satisfactory completion of the following:
1. PARICIPATION AND INVOLEVEMENT
15%
2. Presentation: 30%
Each student will prepare one presentation shared and evaluated by fellow students of an
anthropological TOPIC
The goal of this assignment is to provide the class with a methodology, as well as an opportunity for
teaching experience. The presentation can be in form of a power point lecture, role playing, creating a
video or discussion forum.
The presentation should include
- An introduction to the assignment and requirement
- Portrait of different scientific angles
- Christian world view applied to the topic
- Provision of a handout, summarizing key ideas which are presented
- Preparation of a question for class to open a discussion
Presentation will be graded with reference to following considerations
-Demonstrated effort
-time line
- Creativity
-integration of Christian perspective
-Quality of research
-quality of handout
-demonstrated understanding of the topic
A 1-2 page handout on the day of presentation is required, handout must be send by email to Prof
for review, and prior class starts!
3. Written assignment / Term paper which deals with an anthropological issue 20%
PAPERS TO BE ACCEPTED:
Unless a separate topic has been discussed in some detail with and approved by instructor, the paper
must be on one of the listed topics.
- The final draft must be typed
- No more than 7 pages or less than 5 pages
- If a topic is described in a certain culture a one page fact sheet is required. The fact sheet gives at a
Glance information about the geographical, historical, economical and social situation of that country.
- A written bibliography and sources used is required
- An introduction and ending remarks are required
- Photos, maps, statistics are most welcome
FINAL PROJECT as final exam 35 %
The Term paper is due on the last class There will be a deduction of a full mark if handed in later. Late
papers handed in, will NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Possible Topics for Term paper
1. Evaluate work and contributions of major enthographic anthropologists
(Malinowsky ,Geertz, Harris, etc)
2. Describe and discuss a particular tradition in one culture and compare it with another tradition
(Egg... Death rituals in Sumatra and New York or wedding ceremonies in Nigeria and Nepal)
3. Discuss an international conflict
(Post war situation in Iraq or Afghanistan and its impact on children and their up bringing)
4. Discuss a First Nation issue in Canada
(Preserving first Nation languages, or Residential school issues)
5. Globalization
Economic pros and cons for globalization in Africa Asia or Latin America
6. Do your own field study by doing an interview with a person not from North America
A foreword of the intention of achievement for that interview is required.
7. education/ learning/ goals and future of learning
Plagiarism:
The most common offense under the Academic Code of Conduct is plagiarism which the Code defines as
"the presentation of the work of another person as one's own or without proper acknowledgement." This
could be material copied word for word from books, journals, internet sites, professor's course notes, etc.
It could be material that is paraphrased but closely resembles the original source. It could be the work of
a fellow student, for example, an answer on a quiz, data for a lab report, a paper or assignment
completed by another student. It might be a paper purchased through one of the many available sources.
Plagiarism does not refer to words alone - it can also refer to copying images, graphs, tables, and ideas.
"Presentation" is not limited to written work. It also includes oral presentations, computer assignments
and artistic works. Finally, if you translate the work of another person into French or English and do not
cite the source, this is also plagiarism. DO NOT COPY, PARAPHRASE OR TRANSLATE ANYTHING
FROM ANYWHERE WITHOUT SAYING FROM WHERE YOU OBTAINED IT!
Schedule for Anthropology 101 summer Semester 2013
Student/s will meet with instructor weekly, to discuss new development, especially when field research is
conducted, questions related to the research will be discussed and clarified. Every Thursday a new
power point lecture accompanied by a chapter in the textbook will be discussed in class. Students are
very much encouraged to phone Professor if there are matters which need clarification. The
schedule will follow more or less the chapters of the textbook. We will work through each chapter
of the text book. Every week students require to read the posted lecture and submit an
assignment tailored to the topic of the week.
Session 1
Introduction, syllabus, requirements, what is Anthropology?
(Chapter 1)
Session 2
Concept of culture, Identity and Nationalism: Applied Christian
Anthropology (chapter 2+3)
Session 3
Methods of Cultural Applied Christian Anthropology (chapter 3)
Session 4
Anthropology and Economics (chapter 7-8)
Session 5
Family and Culture (chapter 9)
Session 6
Kinship and Descent (chapter 10)