Anthropology 1000A
Introduction to Social/Cultural Anthropology
SPRING 2006, Instructor: Alberto Guevara
MWF 1:00-1:50, Room L1060
Office: Turcotte Hall 204,
Tel number: 3292521
Email: alberto.guevara@uleth.ca
Office Hours: 2-5, M or by appointment
Objectives of the course:
This course, a general introduction to social and cultural anthropology, will look
into the ways anthropologists go about understanding and studying cultures. How do
people make sense of their environment? How do symbols and language shape our
perception of the world? What kinds of power relations exist between peoples of the
world?
The course will provide students with an overview of the basic analytical tools and
theoretical approaches utilized in the discipline of anthropology and introduce them to a
variety of social and cultural institutions that we, as humans, have constructed and
continue to construct as active participants in a changing world. The goal of the course is
to familiarize students with the development of modern anthropology and at the same
time to critically look at the role anthropology plays in the study of the modern world.
Texts required:
These will be available at the bookstore and on reserve at the library.
1. Miller, Barbara D.; Van Esterik, John; Van Esterik, Penny (eds.). Cultural
Anthropology, 2nd Canadian Edition. Toronto, Pearson, 2005.
2. Angeloni, Elvio (editor). Annual Editions/Anthropology 05/06. McGrawHill/Dushkin
Methodology and evaluation:
The course will be based on assigned readings, lectures, films, class discussions
and examinations. These will be facilitated by group deliberations of relevant issues (to
that week’s readings), and sometimes reported in the mass media. 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.
There will be four 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 type) film review of no more than four
1
pages. The student should use the concepts, terms and the anthropological perspectives
learned in our class discussions and the textbooks to critically assess the film. Before you
choose one of the films shown in class, please consult with me about a possible topic. See
handout (first week of class).
10 percent of the final grade for this class will be based on “pop assignments.”
Including group work and/or short individual responses, these “pop assignments” will be
completed in class and are worth 2-3% each. The purpose of these activities is to
facilitate spontaneous informed analysis and debate on cultural materials. Attendance and
participation will be monitored through these assignments.
Policies
If a student must miss an exam or class due to illness or family emergency, the
absence must be justified to the instructor with the original copy of a medical certificate,
doctor’s note, or other official documents.
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:
First exam
20%
Second exam
20%
Third exam
20%
Fourth exam
20%
Film review paper 10%
Pop assignments
10%
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).
PART ONE: ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE STUDY OF CULTURE
January 6: Introduction and overview of the course
Readings: none
January 9, 11, and 13: Key anthropological concepts and practices
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 1, Annual Editions: #1 Napoleon A. Chagnon and # 3
Richard B. Lee
2
Video: ‘Couple in the Cage”
January 16, 18 and 20: Methods in Cultural Anthropology: fieldwork, cultural shock
and ethical issues
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 2, Annual Editions: # 2 Richard Kurin and # 4 Anver
Versi
January 23: Review
January 25: FIRST EXAM
PART TWO: SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CULTURE
January 27, 30 and February 1: Religion, Magic and Ritual
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 12, Annual Editions # 27 Richard Sosis
Video: “Witchcraft Among the Azande”
February 3, 6: Kinship dynamics
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 8, Annual Editions: # 16 Scheper-Hughes, # 18 Serena
Nanda
February 8, 10, 13: Marriage and family: domestic Groups
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 9, Annual Editions: # 21 Martha C. Ward, # 15 Melvyn
C. Goldstein
Film: “When Strangers Reunite”
February 15: Review
February 17: SECOND EXAM
February 20—25: Reading Week (no classes)
PART THREE: FORMS OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS
February 27 and March 1: Cultural anthropology and economic systems
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 3, Annual Editions: # 34 John Bodley
March 3, 6, 8: Culture and consumption
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 4, Annual Editions: #32 David Counts, and Lappe and
Collins, # 33 Jared Diamond
Video: TBA
March 10, 13: Social groups and social stratification
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 10
3
March 15, 17, 20: Politics, conflict, and social order
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 11, Annual Editions: # 37 Josie Glausiusz
Video: TBA
Review
March 22: THIRD EXAM
PART FOUR: SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS
March 24, 27, 29: Communications: language, thought and society
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 13, Annual Editions: # 8 Enid Schildkrout, # 6 Deborah
Tannen
March 31, April 3, 5: People on the move: anthropology and migration
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 15
Film TBA
April 7, 10: Expressive culture, art, play and symbolism
Readings: Miller et al.: Chapter 14, Annual Editions: #30 Horace Miner
Review
April 12: FOURTH EXAM
4