Weeks Outline
Week 1- Framework & Foundations
A. Definition of Anthropology
B. Ethnocentric Anthropology & Armchair anthropology
C. 19th century anthropologists lead the way to contemporary anthropologists
Week 2- Culture & Region
A. Nature vs. Nurture (culture)
B. Geography & Influence- Why?
I. Subsistence
C. Diffusion
D. Case studies
I. Bantu
II. Egypt
III. !Kung San
Week 3- Anthropology of religion
A. Is religion a universal?
B. Construction of religion
C. Ancient Religions compared to Modern Religions (similarities and differences)
D. Topic for paper checked
Week 4- Ritual, Magic & Rite of passage
A. Understanding the above 3
B. Importance & use of rituals
I. Case Study- Christianity
C. Importance & use of rites of passage
I. Case Study- Maori
D. Importance & understanding the use of magic & witch craft
I. Case Study- Greco-Roman, African, Native American, Louisianan
E. Universals?
Week 5- Gender & Sex
A. Understanding the difference
B. Gender roles
C. A Third Gender
Case studies- India, Muslim, Polynesian
Week 6- Ethnomusicology, Art, Media, Architecture
A. Universals?
B. Case StudiesI. Ancient Sub-Saharan African Music
II. Urban American Hip-Hop
C. Cultural Significance of Music, Art, Media, Architecture
D. The power of imagery & sounds
Week 7- Research projects are assigned- Library research time
A- Project- Create a case study of your own that takes an objective look into a
cultural anomaly, universal, or unknown.
Week 8- Economic & environmental anthropology
A.- Impact of economic development on cultures
Case Study- Diamond mines
B.- Impact of environmental shift on cultures
Case Study- Deforestation
C.- Solutions in sight
Week 9- Globalization
A. A single world culture?
B. Endangered cultures
C. Hypothesis of cultures 100 years from now
Week 10A. Presentation of Case Studies
B. Wrap up