Anthropology 1000A
Introduction to Anthropology
Spring Semester 2003
Professor: Hülya Demirdirek
Office: TH 216
Phone: 329 - 2599
E-mail: hulya.demirdirek@uleth.ca
Office hours: MWF 11-12, MW 3-4
Class Times: MWF 10:00 - 10:50
Room: PE-244
Mailing list: anth1000a@uleth.ca
class web: http://classes.uleth.ca/
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,
 learn and recognize main theoretical schools of thought and their adherents,
 apply anthropological concepts and theories to specific examples/case studies,
 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, Canadian Edition, Barbara D. Miller 2001
2. Study Guide, Cultural Anthropology, Miller & Larkin, 2001(1998)
3. Culture Sketches, "The Trobriand Islanders" (pp.230-245), H. Peters-Golden 2002 (1994) (Five
copies available on reserve at the library)
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Course requirements and expectations:
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.
It is your responsibility to attend the classes. I am going to RECORD ATTENDANCE although this
WILL NOT influence your marks. If you read the assigned chapters before coming to class you will be
able to follow the course more actively. I may start a discussion and expect you to continue with it and
generate new ones in the WebCT discussion room. I will also provide sample questions to help you to
practice before the exams.
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. As a back-up for those of you who may not have access to WebCT I will
also put course materials on the course web page (at least to start with). If you are not familiar with the
system the proctors in the computer labs can help you with it. Furthermore, there will be a sample test
available before the first test so that you can try out the system. Please keep me informed about your
access to WebCT. However, there is no alternative exam form. 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.
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 the WebCT so that you will not need
to check it all the time. Given the large number of students, I am trying to avoid e-mail communication
when possible. I will not answer any questions whose answer is available on the course outline or on
the WebCT. If you have no other means of reaching me (during the class time) and have to send an email 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 Anth1000a class.
Evaluation will be based on written tests, quizzes and small take-home assignments. They 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. There will also be FIVE UNANNOUNCED quizzes (at the end of a
class). They will all be comprised of multiple choice and true-false questions. Only your FOUR best
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marks will be included in your final grade. The small assignment descriptions can be found on the
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: January 24, 12:00 ends January 26, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 1, 2, 14)
Test 2:
20% - WebCT: Starts: February 12, 12:00 ends February 16, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 3, 4, 6)
Test 3:
20% - WebCT: Starts: March 19, 12:00 ends March 22, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 8, 11, 12)
Test 4:
20% - WebCT: Starts: April 10, 12:00 ends April 13, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 16, 13, 15)
Unannounced 5 quizzes 10% (lowest mark does not count or you can miss one quiz)
Assignments (5)
10%
1. January 17,
Film: Born Hutterite. Film commentary, due January 20.
2. January 31,
Film: Asante Market Women. Take-home questions, due February 3.
2b. February 24 Valentine as a foreign ritual.
3. February 28, Film: Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. Film commentary, due March
4. April 7,
Film: Under Pressure. Film description, due April 9.
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 - 50 %
F: 49 and
below
Marking:
Test 1, 2, 3 and 4: each 100 points (total 400 points).
Quizzes 1, 2, 3, 4: each 10 points (total 40 points).
Assignments 1, 2, 2b, 3, 4: each 10 points (total 50 points).
NB!!! Please note:
1. Assignments are to be submitted at the start of the class on the due day.
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 quizzes or assignments can be picked up from the anthropology office.
5.
One textbook/CD-rom version/study guide is available on reserve at the library.
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6. If you have any MEDICAL CONDITION which influences your learning please
contact me.
*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
January 6
Overview of the course and introduction
January 8
What makes us human, "us" and "them"
Reading: Miller ch. 1
January 10
The concept of culture
Reading: Miller ch. 1
Week 2
January 13
Methods and research
Reading: Miller ch. 2
January 15
Methods and research
Reading: Miller ch. 2
January 17
Film: Born Hutterite
Assignment 1: Film commentary, due January 20.
Week 3
January 20
Language and communication
Reading: Miller ch. 14
January 22
Language and communication
Reading: Miller ch. 14
January 24
Language and communication
Reading: Miller ch. 14
TEST 1 - WebCT: Starts: January 24, 12:00 ends January 26, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 1, 2, 14)
Week 4
January 27
Self and society
Reading: Miller ch. 6
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January 29
Self and society
Reading: Miller ch. 6
January 31
Film: Asante Market Women
Assignment 2: Take-home questions, due February 3.
Week 5
February 3
Human ways of life
Reading: Miller ch. 3
February 5
Subsistence systems
Reading: Miller ch. 3
February 7
Distribution and exchange
Reading: Miller ch. 4
Week 6
February 10
Consumption, distribution and exchange
Reading: Miller ch. 4
February 12
Consumption, distribution and exchange
Reading: Miller ch. 4
TEST 2 - WebCT: Starts: February 12, 12:00 ends February 16, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 3, 4, 6)
February 14
Film: TBA
*Reading: Nacirema (H Miner)
Assignment 2: Short essay, Valentine as a foreign ritual, due 24 February
* Available at (http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html)
Week 7
February 17-21 - Reading Week (no classes)
Week 8
February 24
Kinship
Reading: Miller ch. 8
February 26
Kinship
Reading: Miller ch. 8
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February 28
Film: Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea
*Reading: Culture Sketches: The Trobriand Islanders (230-245)
Assignment 3: Film commentary, due 3 March (*Available on reserve at the library)
Week 9
March 3
Kinship
Reading: Miller ch. 8
March 5
Political organization
Reading: Miller ch. 11
March 7
Political organization
Reading: Miller ch. 11
Week 10
March 10
Gender, class, ethnicity and power
Reading: Miller ch. 11
March 12
Social order and conflict
Reading: Miller ch. 12
March 14
Film:TBA
Week 11
March 17
Social order and conflict
Reading: Miller ch. 12
March 19
Colonialism, the local and the global
Reading: Miller ch. 12
TEST 3 - WebCT: Starts: March 19, 12:00 ends March 22, 22:00),
(Test covers chapters 8, 11, 12)
March 21
People on the move
Reading: Miller ch. 16
Week 12
March 24
The global and the local
Reading: Miller ch. 16
March 26
Film:TBA
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March 28
Cosmology and religion
Reading: Miller ch. 13
Week 13
March 31
Religion
Reading: Miller ch. 13
April 2
Public events and ritual
Reading: Miller ch. 13
April 4
Expressive culture
Reading: Miller ch. 15
Week 14
April 7
Film: Under Pressure
Assignment 4: Film description, due 9 April
April 9
Expressive culture
Reading: Miller ch. 15
April 11
Review
TEST 4 - WebCT: Starts: April 10, 12:00 ends April 13, 22:00)
(Test covers chapters 16, 13, 15)
Have a great summer!
HD
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