I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group VII Social Science
Dept/Program
Anthropology
Course #
ANTY 220
Course Title
Prerequisite
Credits
3
Culture and Society
None
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
G.G. Weix
Phone / Email
243-6319
Program Chair
John Douglas
Dean
Chris Comer
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Study of social organization of non-western societies; emphasis on variations in ecology, social
structure, economic, political and religious beliefs and practices.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
systematically study individuals, groups, The focus of this course is on examining the
different ways central social institutions are
or social institutions
organized in different cultures
The course analyzes the relationships among
analyze individuals, groups, or social
various social institutions and factors
problems and structures; and/or
shaping the forms of these institutions
The course provides an overview of research
give considerable attention to ways in
methods and theory in cultural anthropology
which conclusions and generalizations
are developed and justified as well as the
methods of data collection and analysis
V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Students are required to learn how the
Describe the nature, structure, and
central social institutions are organized in
historical development of human
different cultures
behavior, organizations, social
phenomena, and/or relationships
use theory in explaining these individual,
group, or social phenomena; and/or
understand, assess, and evaluate how
conclusions and generalizations are
justified based on data
The class examines the ways in which
theoretical orientations impact how
research is conducted and interpreted
The class uses numerous case studies to
show how generalizations are generated
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.
ANTY 220S: Culture and Society
Instructor: G.G. Weix
Office: Social Sciences 223
Tel. 243-6319
office hours: MWF 10:10-12:00 P.M.
Room:
SS 352
Day and Time: MWF 9:10-10:00 A.M.
GG.Weix@mso.umt.edu
Catalog Description: An introduction to socio-cultural anthropology of nonwestern societies
with particular emphasis on variation in ecology, social organization, economy, polity, and
religious beliefs and practices.
This course is an introduction to the comparative study of culture and society, with particular
emphasis on indigenous peoples, small scale societies, and global regions of the world other
than Europe and the Americas. Anthropologists study social life: family, kinship, exchange,
economy, politics, religion, and also culture: language, myth, ritual, and art. The terms social
and cultural are not interchangeable, but are interrelated in anthropological knowledge known
as ethnology, the comparative study of different ways of life. Social (or cultural)
anthropologists develop theories for comparative analysis drawn from field studies, and use a
methodology known as participant observation, that consists of empirical observations,
linguistic competence to conduct and transcribe conversations, performances, interviews and
oral histories, and field notes of shared participation in everyday activities in the communities
studied over extended periods of time.
Requirements: This course is a lower division core requirement for anthropology majors and
minors; it also fulfills the social sciences Group 7 [S], the ethics and human values Group 8 [E]
and the global and indigenous Group 10 [X] distribution requirements for General Education.
Students must attend lectures three times a week, complete reading assignments prior to class,
and take three in-class exams including a cumulative final exam.
This course is founded in the empirical tradition of social sciences “to describe and analyze
human social organization and interaction” and relies primarily on “qualitative data based on
observation and discourse” primarily ethnographic case studies. Students will learn about the
diversity of human behavior, social institutions and relationships organizing different societies
and cultures. They will be able to identify and contrast several theoretical orientations of
sociocultural anthropology over the past century: including cultural materialism, structuralism,
symbolic or interpretivist, and post-structuralist approaches. The generalizations about human
behavior in various social institutions (kinship, economics, politics, and religion) will be based
both on descriptive data, and also in holistic perspective as characterizing commonalities across
broad cultural regions, e.g. South Asia.
In conveying this comparative survey of societies and cultures, the course will highlight the
ethical issues and topics raised by cultural anthropology, both in its method, the knowledge it
generates, and the implications of its conclusions about diverse human societies. By
introducing students to the professional code of ethics for the Association of American
Anthropologists, and by discussing the underlying concepts of ethical reasoning regarding field
study, students will gain an appreciation for the ways this particular social science is constantly
facing ethical debates about the diversity of human behavior and social institutions and cultural
practices. Some fundamental examples include: the universality of the incest taboo (but
diversity of kin boundaries on acceptable sexual liaisons), the debates over forms of warfare,
cannibalism, and ritual marking of the body, such as circumcision, and the effects of different
forms of economic value, such as the contrast between gift and capitalist economies.
Finally, the class is already certified as ‘indigenous and global’ because the content knowledge
of anthropology is drawn from case studies of indigenous peoples around the globe, and the
comparative study of their interactions with different ecological niches, historical interactions,
and forms of cross cultural contact.
Readings:
Bonvillain, Nancy. 2013. Cultural Anthropology third edition.
Goals: Students will gain the fundamental concepts and vocabulary of social anthropology, and
also general knowledge about global cultural regions. They will become acquainted with key
ethical issues, questions, and debates in contemporary sociocultural anthropology, including the
code of ethics for anthropologists, and discussion of dilemmas common to sociocultural
research, as well as the key topics for wider discussion of ethical reasoning across cultures.
Objectives:
1. Students will recognize variation in social institutions and be able to identify the theories
explaining that variation.
2. Students will encounter visual and textual ethnographic description, and be able to interpret
and evaluate ethnographic portraits of other ways of life in terms of ethical reasoning, decisionmaking, and the pluralism and diversity of human societies and cultures.
3. Students will compare and contrast social processes and dynamics from small scale and
complex societies, and be able to discuss the differences between the two.
4. Students will be able to define and discuss critically the terms ‘global and indigenous’ when
describing human societies and cultures.
Grading Policy: Two midterm exams are worth 100 points each. The final exam is cumulative,
and is worth 200 points. They consist of objective questions on vocabulary and concepts, short
answer and short essay responses on ethical reasoning and debates.
Absences and Make Up Policy: Attendance is mandatory for lecture and film discussions and
exams, except in the case of illness. Midterm exams will be offered in class once, and make-up
exams will require a doctor’s note. Alternate exams will be held one week later, during office
hours, and it is the student’s responsibility to arrange the make up exam with the instructor.
Schedule conflicts with documented travel for UM student athletic events will require that
exams be taken before departure for the sports events. In the case of missing an exam, a student
must contact the instructor by phone, or by email one hour prior to the scheduled exam at 2436319, or GG.Weix@mso.umt.edu. There is no alternate exam for the final. Students who miss
the final exam must request an incomplete [I] for the course, and complete an alternate essay
final exam within one year.
Grades: Grades are based on a scale of 400 points total. A = 360-400; B = 320-359;
C = 280-319; D = 240-279. Below 240 = F. At least 240 points needed for a P (Pass).
Late Drop policy: The 30th instructional day is the last day to drop courses without a petition.
Student Conduct Code: The student conduct code should be read and abided by students.
In particular, plagiarism will not be tolerated, and will result in a failing grade on the specific
assignment, and/or course.
Disability accommodation: The Department of Anthropology is committed to equal
opportunity in education for all students, including those with documented physical, or learning
disabilities. University policy states the responsibility of students with documented disabilities
to contact instructors to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in evaluation of
classroom assignments and examination. The instructor will meet with students and consult
with staff of the Disability Services for Students (DSS) to make accommodations for this
course. Please contact DSS 243-2372, at the Lommasson Center,154 if you have questions.
Syllabus
WEEK ONE WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE ?
August 27
Introduction, syllabus, a brief history of social anthropology
29
The AAA professional code of ethics
31
theories of culture and society
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 1: What is Anthropology? Chapter 2: The Nature of
Culture
WEEK TWO: PERSON, TIME AND CONDUCT: UNITS OF ANALYSIS
September 3
Holiday
5
fieldwork methods
7
person, time and conduct
Ethical topic: the autonomy of personhood “who counts as a person?”
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 3: Studying Culture
WEEK THREE: SOCIALIZATION AND ENCULTURATION: SOCIAL PROCESSES
10
life cycle and social roles
12
enculturation vs. socialization
14
cultural identity and language
Ethical topic: the embedded nature of values “human nature”
Reading: Bonvillain,
Culture
Chapter 4: Language and Culture Chapter 5: Learning One’s
WEEK FOUR: LABOR AND INTERESTS: SOCIAL GROUPS
17
division of labor
19
livelihood
21
interest groups
Ethical Topic: the rights to a livelihood “the moral economy”
Reading: Bonvillain Chapter 6: Making a Living
WEEK FIVE: ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY: SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS
24
ecology
26
economy
28
subsistence and surplus
Ethical topic: the sustainability of small scale societies “maintaining a balance”
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 7: Economic Systems
WEEK SIX: KINSHIP AND DESCENT: SOCIAL STRUCTURE
October
1
Midterm
3
Descent
5
Alliance
Ethical topic: the responsibilities of kinship “filial duty”
Reading: Bonvillain Chapter 8: Kinship and Descent
WEEK SEVEN: MARRIAGE AND FAMILY: SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS
8
Courtship
10
Marriage and Children
12
Divorce and Widowhood
Ethical Topic: “the invention of kinship”
Reading: Bonvillain Chapter 9: Marriage and the Family
WEEK EIGHT: GENDER: CULTURAL CATEGORIES
15
Sexuality
17
Plural genders
19
Social differences
Ethical Topic: gender and sex “the nature of difference”
Reading: Bonvillain Chapter 10: Gender
WEEK NINE: EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY: CULTURAL VALUES
22
Social hierarchy
24
Egalitarianism
26
Caste and Class
Ethical Topic: social stratification “hierarchy and equality”
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 11: Equality and Inequality
WEEK TEN: POLITICS AND LAW: CULTURAL RULES
29
Politics
31
Law
November 2
Authority
Ethical topic: the use of violence “first: do no harm”
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 12: Political Systems
WEEK ELEVEN: CONFLICT RESOLUTION
5
Midterm
7
social processes
9
social institutions
Ethical topic: the articulation of conflict “respecting differences”
Reading: Bonvillain , Chapter 13: Conflict and Conflict Resolution
WEEK TWELVE: RELIGION AND ARTS
12
Holiday
14
Ritual
16
Magic and Witchcraft
Ethical topic: the hidden force of malice “naming the witch”
Reading, Bonvillain, Chapter 14: Religion and Chapter 15: The Arts
WEEK THIRTEEN: COLONIALISM
19
colonialism
21
Student Travel Day
23
Holiday
Reading: Bonvillain Chapter 16: Colonialism and Cultural Transformations
WEEK FOURTEEN: GLOBALIZATION
26 indigenous peoples
28
ethnic minorities
30
stateless societies
Reading: Bonvillain, Chapter 17: Living in a Global World
WEEK FIFTEEN: ANTHROPOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
December 3
review of key concepts and debates
5
review of ethical issues and reasoning cross-culturally
7
conclusion and course evaluation
Final Exam during the week of December 10-14th