Anthropology 1000C
Introduction to Social/Cultural Anthropology
Fall 2003
Professor: Hülya Demirdirek
Class Times: T/TH 10:50 – 12:05
Office: TH 216
Room: PE - 244
Phone: 329-2599
Mailing list: anth1000c@uleth.ca
E-mail: hulya.demirdirek@uleth.ca
class web: http://classes.uleth.ca/
Office hours: Tu-Thu 3:15-5:15 or by appointment
Course description
This course will introduce anthropology as a discipline with the basic concepts and methods employed
in anthropological practice. The course will cover the major areas of human experience examined within
social/cultural anthropology with an emphasis on the comparative study of contemporary cultures.
Through a review of various regions of the world, social and cultural diversity will be explored in order to
arrive at a conceptualization and understanding of differences and similarities between our own and
other cultures and societies. The course will be a combination of lectures, video presentations and
examinations. As we move across different societies and cultures we will try – with the help of
abstractions and concepts – to make connections between our own lives and others whose realities
may seem very remote from our own. Just like any other social science introductory course, this course
aims to equip you with the necessary starting tools to read, think and develop arguments at a more
advanced level.
Learning objectives
The lectures and the course activities are aimed at providing an overview of social and cultural
anthropology. You will be expected to:
 learn basic concepts and methods employed in anthropological studies,
 define technical terms used to describe certain institutions and processes,
 develop a knowledge and appreciation of the complexities of social and cultural phenomena,
 pursue more advanced and specialized courses in anthropology.
Required texts
1. Cultural Anthropology, Second Canadian Edition, Barbara D. Miller, P. Van Esterik and John
Van Esterik, 2001(2004), Toronto: Pearson.
2. Up in Nipigon Country, Edward J. Hedican, 2001, Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.
Optional text:
1.Study Guide, Cultural Anthropology, B. Miller & Paul G. Letkeman 2004 (1998) available in U
of L bookstore
NB! Please note that there is a free online version of the study guide.
Please remember to look at this outline first when you have a
question about the course. You will find most of the basic
information here.
Course requirements and expectations
If you read the assigned chapters before coming to class you will be able to follow the course more
actively. I will provide sample questions to help you to practice before the exams.
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WebCT: We will be using some of the WebCT tools in this class for all four of the tests and in order to
obtain access to the course outline, copies of the overheads which I use during the classes, sample
tests, discussion questions etc. You will find WebCT by clicking on "WebCT" on the right side of the
Uleth notice board. Your university user name and password for e-mail are needed to enter the WebCT
page. When you are on the WebCT page, click "Testing Center Student Information Page"
(http://home.uleth.ca/crdc/webct/Testing_center_howto.shtml) to learn about the details and rules of
WebCT tests. There will be a sample test available before the first test so that you can try out the
system.
Communication: Our class time is to be used for questions and announcements and you are
welcome to meet me during my office hours. I will use WebCT as a notice board. I will send e-mail to
the class mail list to inform you that exam results are available on WebCT so that you will not need to
check it all the time. Given the large number of students, I will not answer any questions whose answer
is available on the course outline or on WebCT. If you have no other means of reaching me (during the
class time) and have to send an e-mail you should allow 24 hours before you get an answer from me. If
you really need to send a mail please make sure that you write what your mail is about in the "subject"
line and indicate inside the message that you are in the Anth1000C class.
Evaluation will be based on 4 written tests and 2 small take-home assignments. The tests will
cover the material from the lectures, films and your readings. All of your WebCT tests will be a
combination of short answers and key terms/concepts definition, as well as multiple choice, true-false
and fill-in-the-blanks questions. You will have a sample test before the first test. You will be
provided with study guides and the information about the number and the types of questions
before each test. The small assignment descriptions can be found on WebCT. Assignments which are
turned in LATE without prior approval will have two points deducted per day. Please see page 69 in the
U of L calendar 2002-2003 for the rules about missed exams.
Test 1:
20% - WebCT: Starts: September 26, 10:00 ends September 29, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 1, 2, 13)
Test 2:
20% - WebCT: Starts: October 17, 10:00 ends October 20, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 3, 4, 6 and Hedican first four chapters)
Test 3:
20% - WebCT: Starts: November 7, 10:00 ends November 10, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 8, 11, 10 and Hedican last four chapters)
Test 4:
20% - WebCT: Starts: December 4, 10:00 ends December 8, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 15, 12, 14)
Assignments
1. 10% Born Hutterite. Film commentary. Due October 2.
2. 10% Thanksgiving as a foreign feast. Take-home. Due October 16.
Grading
A+ = 100 - 95 %
A = 94 - 90 %
A- = 89 - 85 %
B+ = 84 - 80 %
B = 79 - 75 %
B- = 74 - 70 %
C+ = 69 - 65 %
C = 64 - 60 %
C- = 59 - 55 %
D+ = 54 - 53 %
D = 52 - 50 %
F: 49 and
below
Marking:
Tests 1, 2, 3, and 4 each 100 points
Assignments each 10 points
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NB!!! Please note:
1. Assignments are to be submitted at the start of the class on the due date.
2. If you are unable to attend the class that day please make sure that you submit your
assignment either through a classmate or to the anthropology secretary. She has to confirm
your submission by noting the time and date on your assignment.
3. ASSIGNMENTS which are pushed UNDER MY DOOR will NOT be ADMITTED unless you
speak to me in advance.
4. Uncollected assignments can be picked up from the anthropology office.
5. The tests are not cumulative. They cover what is indicated in the course outline and the
films.
6. One copy of the textbook/CD-ROM version/study guide is available on reserve at the
library.
7. If you have any MEDICAL CONDITION which influences your learning please contact me.
8. Academic dishonesty is considered a very serious offense (See pp.63-66 of the U of L
Calender.) U of L subscribes to a plagiarism software called Turnitin.com. Your
assignments may be reviewed using it to detect cyber-plagiarism.
*Tentative Schedule of Lectures, Films and Readings
(* Depending on the progress we make during the classes, we may spend more time on certain
topics than on others. This may alter the course schedule to some extent.)
Week 1
September 4
Overview of the course and introduction
Week 2
September 9
What makes us human, "us" and "them"
Reading: Miller ch. 1
September 11
The concept of culture
Film: TBA
Reading: Miller ch. 1
Week 3
September 16
Methods and research
Reading: Miller ch. 2
September 18
Methods and research
Reading: Miller ch. 2
Week 4
September 23
Language and communication
Reading: Miller ch. 14
September 25
Language and communication
Reading: Miller ch. 14
3
TEST 1 Covers ch. 1, 2, 13.
Starts Friday, September 26, 10:00, ends Monday, September 29, 22:00.
Week 5
September 30
Self and society
Reading: Miller ch. 6.
Film: Born Hutterite
Reading for the assignment on WebCT: Zizek
Assignment 1: Film commentary, due October 2
October 2
Self and society
Reading: Miller ch. 6
Week 6
October 7
Human ways of life
Reading: Miller ch. 3
October 9
Subsistence systems
Reading: Miller ch. 3
*Reading for the Thanksgiving assignment: Nacirema (H Miner)
Week 7
October 14
Consumption, distribution and exchange
Reading: Miller ch. 4
October 16 (Submit Thanksgiving assignment)
Distribution and exchange
Reading: Miller ch. 4
TEST 2 Covers ch. 6, 3, 4, and Hedican first four chapters.
Starts Friday, October 17, 10:00, ends Monday, October 20, 22:00.
Week 8
October 21
Kinship
Reading: Miller ch. 8
October 23
Kinship
Reading: Miller ch. 8
Week 9
October 28
Political organization
Reading: Miller ch. 11
4
October 30
Gender, class, ethnicity and power
Reading: Miller ch. 11
Week 10
November 4
Social order and conflict
Reading: Miller ch. 10
November 6
Colonialism, the local and the global
Reading: Miller ch. 10
TEST 3 Covers ch. 8, 11, 10, and Hedican last four chapters.
Starts Friday, November 7, 10:00, ends Monday, November 10, 22:00.
Week 11
November 11 (University Closed – Remembrance Day)
November 13
The global and the local
Reading: Miller ch. 15
Week 12
November 18
People on the move
Reading: Miller ch. 15
November 20
Film: TBA
Week 13
November 25
Cosmology and religion
Reading: Miller ch. 12
November 27
Public events and ritual
Reading: Miller ch. 12
Week 14
December 2
Expressive culture
Reading: Miller ch. 14
December 4
Expressive culture
Reading: Miller ch. 14
TEST 4 Covers ch. 15, 12, 14.
Starts Friday, December 5, 10:00, ends Monday, December 8, 22:00.
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!
HD
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