Metropolitan Community College
Course Syllabus – 2015-16 Spring
COURSE IDENTIFICATION
Title: Introduction to Anthropology
Prefix/Section: SOCI 1250-WW
Credit Hours: 4.5
Begins/Ends: March 10, 2016 - May 21, 2016
Census Date: March 21, 2015
Meeting Day/Time: ONLINE
Last Day to Withdraw: May 11, 2016
Delivery Type: ONLINE
Class Location: Online through Blackboard
Lab Location: N/A
CONTACT INFORMATION
Instructor Name:
Office Location:
Office Telephone:
Toll-Free Number:
Facsimile:
Office Hours:
Gary J. Toth
South Omaha Campus, Mahoney Building, Room 110V
402-738-4678
1-800-228-9553
402-738-4535
Monday/Wednesday 10:00-12:00; Tuesday/Thursday 12:00-1:00
EMAIL
GToth@mccneb.edu
ADDRESS:
Students enrolled in online and hybrid classes are required to check and
use MCC Email (https://outlook.com/mccneb.edu) for all official course
correspondence. See also STUDENT EMAIL REQUIREMENTS.
Academic Program Area: Social Sciences
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Description: Introduction to Anthropology provides an introduction to the study
and methods of anthropology and the techniques used to study human societies and
cultures. The course will cover anthropological theory, as well as the biological, cultural,
economic, and political evolution of ancient and modern peoples.
Course Prerequisites: There are no other formal prerequisites for this course.
However, the READING ASSESSMENT is recommended before taking Introduction to
Anthropology. College level reading skills are required for best results.
In order to be successful in this course, students should have the following computer
skills:
MINIMUM TECHNICAL SKILLS:
· use email with attachments
· save files to and retrieve from a local drive
· save files in commonly used word processing program formats
· copy and paste
· identify and use a compatible web browser
· identify and install necessary updates
· install and use course-specific software programs
Course Objectives:
1) Describe the nature, scope, and limitations of anthropology.
2) Distinguish and evaluate the major theories and theoretical perspectives of
anthropology.
3) Sketch an overview of the field of anthropology, its subfields, and how it is related to
other disciplines such as biology, psychology, and sociology.
4) Assess the application of evolutionary theory to all forms of life, including human.
5) Display an understanding of the nature, importance and variability of culture.
6) Appraise the major anthropological explanations of cultural variability.
7) Discuss the relationship between language and culture.
8) Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and research techniques.
9) Construct a foundation of basic knowledge which may be used for further study in
anthropology and/or related social sciences.
10) Examine the impact of technology on a society and indicate how that technology
also changes the methods used to study the society.
Required & Supplemental Materials:
TEXTBOOK: (Required)
Lavenda, Robert H. and Schultz, Emily A., Anthropology: What Does it Mean to be
Human?, Third Edition, New York: Oxford Unversity Press, 2015.
Textbook and other print materials can be purchased through the South Omaha
Campus bookstore.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS:
The computer you use for MCC online courses must be able to run one of the
Blackboard-compatible web browsers listed on the Browser Support
Page: https://www.mccneb.edu/Current-Students/Student-Tools/Help-Desk/BrowserSupport.aspx.
SOFTWARE/FILE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Metropolitan Community College
uses Microsoft products as part of its standard software and encourages students to do
the same. You may save word-processed documents for file attachments in Microsoft
Word .doc or .docx format. If your software does not allow either of these, then save
files in Rich Text Format (.rtf).
CLASS STRUCTURE: Online Courses are equivalent to traditionally taught college
courses and meet the same criteria for academic rigor and qualified faculty. Students
complete the course by reading the text, completing online assignments and
communicating with instructors via phone, mail, optional campus visits or e-mail.
Students also will interact with other students through the use of Discussion and Mail
tools.
●
"Homework" should be completed as needed to complete each assigned section.
●
Your grade will be based on online quiz grades, written activities, unit exams,
and active participation online with other students.
STUDENT EMAIL REQUIREMENTS: Email sent from a Blackboard course is delivered
to both the sender and recipient’s MCC Email account at
https://outlook.com/mccneb.edu. No email is stored in Blackboard. Students enrolled in
online and hybrid classes are required to check and use MCC Email for all official
course correspondence. New email sent from Blackboard will include the course
number, section and title in the subject line. Students should include the same
information in the subject line when responding or composing new email from the MCC
Email inbox. The instructor may provide additional guidelines.
RESPONSE TIME: Faculty will respond within 48 hours to student emails concerning
course content, learning activities, and private matters appropriate for discussion within
the teacher-student relationship. Posting of feedback and grades for major assignments
is addressed under Assessment of Student Work.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT WORK
TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS:
●
Attendance assignments are located in each module, and are worth 10 points
each.
●
The entries posted to the Discussion link will be assessed 10 points each.
Students will submit at least one required entry per module.
●
Assignments will be uploaded to the Assignments link in each module and are
worth 20 points each.
●
Quizzes will be uploaded to the Quiz link in each module and are worth 20 points
each.
●
Each student must take four (4) unit exams according to the specified unit exam
schedule. Each test will have a value of 50 points.
Grading Policy:
In addition to the information above, all weekly homework (Attendance reports,
Discussion posts, Assignments, Concept and Reaction papers, and Quizzes) is
due on the dates indicated on the schedule below (the end of each module week).
Late assignments will be penalized 50% of the total points. Homework more than
one week late will not be accepted.
The final grade will be based on a cumulative scale of points explained in a previous
section.
Final point totals will be assigned a grade according to the following percentages.
A
90% - 100%
B
80% - 89%
C
70% - 79%
D
60% - 69%
F
Below 60%
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:
Exams – 3 worth 50 points each 150 points
Discussion – each entry worth 10 points 90 points
Quizzes – each worth 20 points 180 points
Attendance reports – each worth 20 points 180 points
Total points 600 points maximum
The Student will be tested on her/his knowledge of the key points of the following Course
Outline:
I. Introduction to Anthropology
A. Define anthropology
B. Scope of anthropology
C. Fields of anthropological study
D. Scientific method and anthropological techniques
E. Usefulness of anthropology
II. Human Evolution: Biological and Cultural
A. Define evolutionary theory
1. historical context
2. debunking the theory
3. strengths
B. Living primates
C. Primate evolution: from early primates to hominoids
D. Early hominoids and their cultures
E. Emergence of homo-sapiens and their cultures
F. Human variation
G. Origins of food production and settled life
H. Origins of cities and states
III. Cultural Variation
A. The concept of culture
B. Schools of thought in cultural anthropology
C. Language and culture
D. Food-getting and economic systems
E. Social stratification
F. Sex, culture, marriage, family, and kinship patterns
G. Political and group life
H. Religion and magic
I. Psychology and culture
J. The arts
IV. The Study of Culture in the Modern World
A. Culture and social changes
B. Explaining and solving social problems
C. Advancement in anthropological methods
D. Technological advancements and social change
E. Anthropology for the future
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING PROGRAM: Metropolitan Community
College is committed to continuous improvement of teaching and learning. You may be
asked to help us to accomplish this objective. For example, you may be asked to
respond to surveys or questionnaires. In other cases, tests or assignments you are
required to do for this course may be shared with faculty and used for assessment
purposes.
USE OF STUDENT WORK: By enrolling in classes offered by Metropolitan Community
College, the student gives the College license to mark on, modify, and retain the work
as may be required by the process of instruction, as described in the course syllabus.
The institution shall not have the right to use the work in any other manner without the
written consent of the student(s).
INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION POLICY:
Each student will correspond with the instructor via course email at least once per
week through learning activity assignments. Point values for learning activity
assignments and required discussion entries are given in each module.
Attendance/Participation Reporting: To confirm each student’s eligibility to remain
registered for the class, the instructor will officially report attendance/participation on or
before the Census Date. Students in this section of Introduction to Anthropology
must participate in a class activity by 03/21/16.
COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS: When you communicate with others in this
course, you must follow the Student Conduct Code
(http://mccneb.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/Course-Catalog/StudentServices/Student-Conduct), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior.
Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the
opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts
expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information
at http://www.albion.com/netiquette.
RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOM: Students may not video or audio record class
sessions without the instructor’s knowledge and permission. If recording of class
sessions is authorized as a reasonable accommodation under Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), the instructor must have the appropriate documentation from
College Disability Support Services. Permitted recordings are to be used only for the
individual student’s educational review of the class session and may not be reproduced,
posted, sold or distributed to others. Students who violate this policy are subject to
disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Student Conduct Code.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT: Students are reminded that materials they use
as sources for classwork may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information
about copyright is provided on the library website at https://www.mccneb.edu/CurrentStudents/Student-Tools/Library.aspx or by your instructor. In response to incidents of
student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, etc.), the
College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test,
failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College.
Disciplinary procedures are available in the Advising/Counseling Centers or
at https://www.mccneb.edu/About-MCC-Nebraska/About-MCC/Board-ofGovernors/Procedures.aspx.
STUDENT WITHDRAWAL: If you cannot participate in and complete this course, you
are encouraged to contact your instructor and consult an MCC advisor, counselor, or
the Financial Aid Office to evaluate the consequences of dropping the class. You can
officially withdraw through My Services on the MCC My Way portal
at https://myway.mccneb.edu or by calling Central Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1800-228-9553. The last date to withdraw is noted in the CLASS IDENTIFICATION
section of this syllabus.
LEARNING SUPPORT MCC's Learning and Tutoring Centers, Math Centers, and
Writing Centers offer friendly, supportive learning environments that can help students
achieve educational success. Staff members in these centers provide free drop-in
assistance with basic computing, reading, math, and writing skills. Self-paced,
computer-assisted instructional support in reading, vocabulary, typing, English as a
Second Language, and online course orientation is also available.
Detailed information about the Learning and Tutoring, Math, and Writing Centers is in
the My Way portal, the College Catalog, and online at https://www.mccneb.edu/CurrentStudents/Student-Tools.aspx.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Metropolitan
Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented qualifying disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to request
accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS) located in each Student
Services Office. After students have arranged for accommodations with DSS, the
student and instructor should privately discuss these accommodations. For further
information, please contact DSS or visit https://www.mccneb.edu/CurrentStudents/Student-Tools/Disability-Support-Services.aspx.
NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: Metropolitan
Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation in admission or access
to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
If you have difficulty connecting to the Internet, call your Internet provider.
If you need help connecting to the course from the Blackboard login page, refer to
“Getting Started Online” at https://www.mccneb.edu/Online.
If you are unable to solve the problem, email BlackboardSupport@mccneb.edu or call
402-457-2834.
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES: By using the information technology systems at MCC
(including the computer systems and phones), you acknowledge and consent to the
conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures
Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your
responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the
Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following
website: https://www.mccneb.edu/About-MCC-Nebraska/About-MCC/Board-ofGovernors/Procedures.aspx.
SECTION V: COURSE SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
All activity, test dates, and other important dates are also listed in the Blackboard
calendar.
NOTICE: This syllabus sets forth a tentative schedule of class topics, learning activities,
and expected learning outcomes. However, the instructor reserves the right to modify
this schedule to enhance learning for students. Any modifications will not substantially
change the intent or objectives of this course and will conform to the policies and
guidelines of Metropolitan Community College.
Week
number
Date
Module
number
Communication
Text Reference
Weeks
1&2
Mar 10-20
Module 1
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapter 1 &
Module 1
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapters 2 & 3
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapters 4 & 5
Due
March 20
Week 3
Mar 21-27
Module 2
Due
March 27
Week 4
Mar 28 Apr 3
Module 3
Due April 3
EXAM 1
Week 5
Apr 4-10
Module 4
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapters 6 & 7
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapters 8, 9, &
Module 4
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Chapters
Due
April 10
Week 6
Apr 11-17
Module 5
Due
April 17
Week 7
Apr 18-24
Module 6
Due
April 24
Week 8
Apr 25 May 1
Module 7
11 & 12
EXAM 2
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
10 & 13
Due
May 1
Week 9
May 2-8
Module 8
Due
May 8
Week 10
May 9-15
Module 9
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
May 16-21
Due
May 21
Chapter 14
Last date to withdraw
November 9th
Assignment, attendance,
discussion, and quiz
Due
May 15
Week 11
Chapters
EXAM 3
Chapter 16
Test Schedule
Unit Exams
Test Dates
Chapters
Unit Exam #1 (Mods 1-3)
April 1 - 9
Chaps. 1-5, Module 1
Unit Exam #2 (Mods 4-6)
April 22 - 30
Chaps. 6-9, 11-12, Module 4
Unit Exam #3 (Mods 7-9)
May 13 - 21
Chaps. 10, 13, 14, 16
CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING FINAL COURSE GRADE:
Exams – 3 worth 50 points each 150 points
Discussion – each entry worth 10 points 90 points
Quizzes – each worth 20 points 180 points
Attendance reports – each worth 20 points 180 points
Total points 600 points
2016 (15/SP) Spring Quarter Important Dates
Classes begin Mar 10 Th
Census Date/Tenth Day* date Mar 23 W
Student Withdrawal Deadline to “drop” a class without receiving a grade Varies by Class**
Student Withdrawal Deadline to “drop” a class with a refund variesSee Refund Policy
Spring Break/College Closed
Mar 26-27 Sa-Su
Winter quarter “I” incomplete grades are due
May 11 W
Classes end May 25 W
Spring grades due and posted by 7:00 a.m. May 31 Tu
Current Student (greater than 50 hours) Summer 2016 (16/SS) Registration begins…….Mar 18 F
Current Student (less than 50 hours) Summer 2016 (16/SS) Registration begins Mar 22 T
General Registration Summer 2016 (16/SS) Registration begins
Mar 24 Th
*Tenth Day is the date on which your enrollment level is checked.
**To view the last day to withdraw “drop” a class to prevent receiving a grade, go to the class
schedule found online at https://catalog.mccneb.edu/Pages/Home.aspx then, find the course
section and click on the Important Dates link on the same line as the course title. Dates for each
course section are automatically calculated based on the start and end dates and the number of
sessions for a course. A student must withdraw by this date to avoid an “F” grade.
REFUND POLICY for Credit Courses
A student is responsible for withdrawing “dropping” from a course(s) if unable to attend. Nonattendance or non-payment does not relieve a student from the obligation to pay.
An official schedule change that reduces or terminates a student’s academic credit load may
entitle the student to a refund. Go to “My Services” and click “Student Accounts”, then “Tuition
Refund Modeler” to see the refund percentage received through midnight of the same day you
“drop” withdraw from a class.
Note: Schedule changes may have implications for students on Financial Aid. Check with the
Financial Aid Office prior to any schedule changes at 402-457-2330. The Census Date is the
date on which Financial Aid Student’s enrollment is checked to determine the type and amount
of authorized funds for the quarter. Payment is based on enrollment as of that date.