Anthropology 2510A
LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION
SPRING 2004, Instructor: Alberto Guevara
MWF 10:00-10:50 am Room C610
Office: T H 204, Tel #: 3292521
Office Hours: 11-12, MWF or by appointment
alberto.guevara@uleth.ca
Objectives of the course:
This course is a general introduction to the connection among language, culture
and communication. The main objective of this course is to critically reflect on the
process of communication and the role of language cross-culturally. This course will
introduce students to basic concepts, problems, and methodologies utilized by
anthropologists in the study of the relationship among language, culture and
communication. Topics will include language and conceptual systems, language and
social and cultural context, language and thought, and language and social role.
Methodology and evaluation:
The course will be based on assigned readings, lectures, films, class conversations
exercises and examinations. These will be facilitated by group discussions of relevant
issues to that week’s readings. Students are expected to attend classes having read all
assigned course materials in advance. This point is very important because it will
facilitate us in having a dynamic and interesting course. Remember twenty percent of the
grade will be allocated to attendance and participation.
There will be three in class examinations. The exams will not be cumulative,
and will cover only the material from lectures, readings and films since the last exam. In
addition each student will write a short essay (a guideline will be provided around the
fourth week of the course) of approximately five to six pages (double space). The student
should use the concepts, terms and the anthropological perspectives learned in our class
discussions, the textbooks and three outside sources to construct the essay.
Policies
All students should be aware of the definition and consequences of plagiarism as
set by U of L policy (p. 63 in the calendar). This policy will be systematically enforced.
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Class participation and attendance
First exam
Second exam
Third exam
Paper
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
1
Official evaluation scheme
A+ 95-100
B+ 80-84
C+ 65-69
D 50-54
A 90-94
A- 85-89
B 75-79
B- 70-74
C 60-64
C- 55-59
F 49 and below
SCHEDULE:
(This is a general guideline and is subject to changes at the instructor’s discretion).
WEEK ONE: JANUARY. 7 TO JANUARY. 9
Introduction to the course
Read: Bonvillain Introduction
WEEK TWO: JANUARY. 12 TO JANUARY. 16
The Form of the Message
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 2
WEEK THREE: JANUARY. 19 TO JANUARY. 23
Language and Cultural Meaning
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 3
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Exercise week
WEEK FOUR: JANUARY. 26 TO JANUARY. 30
Ethnography of Communication
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 4
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Video: TBA
WEEK FIVE: FEBRUARY. 2 TO FEBRUARY. 6
Communicative Interactions
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 5
Review
First exam (February 6)
WEEK SIX: FEBRUARY. 9 TO FEBRUARY. 13
Language and Social Stratification
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 6
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Video: TBA
FEBRUARY. 16 TO FEBRUARY. 21, READING WEEK, NO CLASSES
2
WEEK SEVEN: FEBRUARY. 23 TO FEBRUARY. 27
Language and Gender
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 7
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Exercise week
WEEK EIGHT: MARCH. 1 TO MARCH. 5
Language and gender Cross Culturally
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 8
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Video: TBA
WEEK NINE: MARCH. 8 TO MARCH.12
Learning Language
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 9
Review
Exam two (March 12)
WEEK TEN: MARCH. 15 TO MARCH. 19
Communicative Competence
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 10
Paper due: March 19
Exercise week
WEEK ELEVEN: MARCHCH. 22 TO MARCHCH 26
Multilingual Nations
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 11
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Video: TBA
WEEK TWELVE: MARCHCH. 29 TO APRIL. 2
Bilingual Communities
Read: Bonvillain Chapter 12
Weekly readings on reserve (TBA)
Exercise week
WEEK THIRTEEN: APRIL 5 TO APRIL 14
Language and Institutional Encounters
Read: Bonvillain Chapter
Video: TBA
Review
Final exam: (April 16)
3