Meggan Houlihan
Office: IB 2324C
Office Hours: T/W 11-12:30 & by appointment
MHoulihan@sccd.ctc.edu
North Seattle Community College
Fall 2008
Anth 206
206.527.3755
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
This course examines human’s diverse cultural and social groups. The course looks at aspects of human
culture including social organization, economics, political systems, religion, technology, values, art and
language. We will look at several cultures around the world and how they demonstrate these cultural
achievements, including some selected cultural groups such as the Nuer, Aymara, Trobriand Islanders,
Netsilik, the Yanomamo, Boran, !Kung, the Bakhtiari, the Basseri, the Yucatec, Mundurucu, Bantu Tiriki,
Amish and MANY MORE. There are also faces from Western industrialized cultures and subcultures.
Required Texts:
Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge (12th Edition). By: Haviland, Prins, Walrath and McBride.
Publisher: Thomson and Wadsworth
Faces of Culture: The Human Challenge, Anthropology, Telecourse Study Guide
Requirements1:
Quizzes (450 points)
There will be 6 quizzes throughout the quarter. There will be a variety of question styles. The quizzes will
not be cumulative. Some questions will be taken from the study guide so it is highly recommended to
complete the activities in the book.
Participation (100pts)
Class discussions are structured around readings. I expect you to have completed ALL of the assigned
readings for a given day and that you come to class prepared to discuss and/or ask questions related to those
readings. Attendance will also be factored into your participation points.
Ethnographic Experience Paper (150 points)
You will need to write a comparison paper (2-3 pages) based on two separate ethnographic experiences.
More detail pertaining to specifics of the assignment will be provided. Your abstract will be due October
10, 2008. Final paper will be due October 31, 2008.
Final Paper – 100pts
Abstract – 50pts
Research Paper (300 points)
You will need to write a research paper (3-4 pages) based on a topic that interests you and after
consultation with me (I suggest meeting with me as soon as possible). I recommend you choose a topic for
which there exist sufficient data. More detail pertaining to specifics of the assignment will be provided.
Final paper will be due December 5, 2008. You will be required to:
1. Write an abstract (1 page) stating your choice of topic(s) and culture(s) to be researched.
Your abstract will be due October 24, 2008.
2. Construct a bibliography. A draft of the bibliography will be due on November 7, 2008. A
final version of your bibliography should be submitted with your final paper. Bibliographies
should include books, articles, and other relevant materials. Online sources should be noted
1
All dates/information are subject to change at the professor’s discretion.
appropriately on bibliography but will not be counted as a source. I expect a minimum of 4
sources. A set of general guidelines will be provided at the start of the quarter.
Final Paper – 150pts
Abstract – 75pts
Bibliography – 75pts
Format for Written Assignments
Please note that all written assignments should be typed and double-spaced and include a title page (this
page does not count as page 1). All margins (top, bottom, left, right) should be no more than 1”. Type
should be no smaller than 10pt or larger than 12pt. You may use any common, distinctly legible, non-script
font, but I prefer Times Roman. Failure to adhere to these standards will result in a loss of points.
Grading
You are expected to complete ALL written assignments. If you fail to hand in an assignment you will
receive an F for that assignment. If you attempt to hand-in an assignment LATE without a
DOCUMENTED excuse you forfeit your opportunity to complete the assignment. If you have a
DOCUMENTED excuse, and I agree to let you hand-in an assignment late, it is to be handed in within one
week of the day that the assignment was originally due. There are NO exceptions to this policy.
Grading Scale
Your final grade will be based on the total number of points you have accumulated for all assignments and
tests. Your grade will be a percentage of that score. The percentages to be used are as follows:
A = 4.0 = 100%
3.9 = 97%
3.8 = 95%
B = 3.0 = 80-81%
2.9 = 79%
2.8 = 78%
C = 2.0 = 70%
1.9 = 69%
1.8 = 66%
D = 1.0 = 54%
0.9 = 52%
0.8 = 51%
A- = 3.7 = 93%
3.6 = 90%
3.5 = 87%
B- = 2.7 = 77%
2.6 = 76%
2.5 = 75%
2.4 = 74%
C+ = 2.3 = 73%
2.2 = 72%
2.1 = 71%
C- = 1.7 = 64%
1.6 = 62%
1.5 = 60%
1.4 = 59%
D- = 0.7 = 50%
B+ = 3.4 = 86%
3.3 = 85%
3.2 = 83%
3.1 = 81%
E = 0.0 = 45%
D+ = 1.3 = 58%
1.2 = 56%
1.1 = 55%
Other Concerns:
Students who have special conditions as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and who need
any test or course material furnished in an alternate format should notify me immediately. Reasonable
efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of these students.
You are expected to observe the University’s standards for academic honesty. Any student suspected of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean’s office.
Inclement Weather:
Classes will be canceled only when the College makes an official announcement of closure due to
inclement weather. If you wish to check on this before making the trip to campus you may call 206-5273600. You may also tune in to KING AM/TV, KIRO AM/TV or KOMO AM/TV.