Anthropology 201 IAV
Peoples and Cultures of the World
Spring 2016 Mon/Wed 1-2:15pm
Hal Starratt, Ph.D.
email: hal.starratt@wnc.edu
Phone: (775) 445-4292 (office); (775) 721-5016 (cell)
Office: 219 Aspen (Carson Campus, above Bookstore)
Hours: (Spring 2016): Mon-Thurs 12:15-1pm; Tues/Thurs 2:15-3pm.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a 3 unit Cultural Anthropology course that offers a
comparative study of human societies and their institutions, past and present. It is transferable
to any college or university in Nevada, and elsewhere. It fulfills the following: SOCIAL
SCIENCE requirement for all WNC programs; CULTURAL DIVERSITY requirement at UNR;
and Anthropology major at UNR, UNLV, and elsewhere.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this class is to provide an overview to the scientific
examination and comparison of world cultures. Cultural comparison is an essential analytical
tool in anthropology in understanding how and why cultures are similar or different.
Anthropologists use the concept of culture to account for the tremendous variety of ways
humans have adapted to their surroundings and to each other. A major goal of the course is to
provide an awareness of the wide spectrum of cultural and social variation throughout the
world, while at the same time appreciating those characteristics that are shared by all human
beings. By learning about other societies we learn, ultimately, about ourselves. The class
includes lectures, discussions, ethnographic films, and student presentations. Students will
exercise academic skills in reading, writing, research, critical thinking, and oral communication.
Computer and web access required. Writing assignments will be submitted to the website
Turnitin.com.
COURSE STRUCTURE
1. RESPONSES: 45% of Course Grade
• Twelve (12) written responses to articles in the reader, Annual Editions: Anthropology that
express your understanding of the issues raised in each article.
• TWO-PAGES (600 words, minimum); Typed; 1.5 line spacing; 12 point font.
• Discuss the authors’ main ideas and add a personal reaction.
• Submit Responses to the website www.Turnitin.com on Wednesdays by midnight.
• Late assignments will receive no more than 75% credit.
• Late assignments may be submitted up to midnight, May 15.
• See Scoring Rubric Below.
2. EXAMS: 45% of Course Grade
• Two exams will cover lectures, discussions, text material, films, and readings.
• Make-up exams must be scheduled with me at least one week before the exam.
3. PARTICIPATION: 10% of Course Grade
• Do the readings prior to class so that you can contribute to the discussions.
• Attendance is a factor in the course grade.
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
4. RESEARCH PRESENTATION or TERM PAPER (Optional):
• Required for a grade of “A” (90% or higher) in the course.
• Grade on Presentation or Term Paper will have equal weight to the Midterm and Final Exams.
• I will average the grades of the three: 1) Presentation/Term Paper, 2) Midterm, and 3) Final.
PRESENTATION:
• Present a cross-cultural analysis of two cultures to the class (15-20minutes).
• Bibliography (MLA style): a formal summary of all research sources used is due to
Turnitin.com on Presentation date. Failure to submit a bibliography will result in the loss of
20% of the grade.
• Cultures and dates of Presentations will be assigned individually.
• Cancellation of your Presentation will drop your course grade 10%.
TERM PAPER:
• Research Paper format: 10 page cross-cultural analysis of two cultures.
• Works Cited: detailed MLA style Works Cited page (20% of the grade).
• Cultures will be assigned individually and will not overlap with those giving Presentations.
• Deadline: Wednesday, April 20 to Turnitin.com.
• Note: there is a response due also on that date, so plan accordingly.
5. POINTS:
• Responses (12)
240
• Exams (+/- Presentation/Term Paper)
240
• Participation
53
Total Possible
533
(475 point ceiling [89%, B+] for those who do not do the Presentation or Term Paper)
6. PERCENTAGES: For graded assignments, course grade:
94-100 = A; 90-93 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 84-86 = B; 80-83 = B-; 77-79 = C+;
74-76 = C; 70-73 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 64-66 = D; 60-63 = D-; 0-59 = F.
7. “W” GRADES: I cannot assign a “W” grade for the course. If you choose to
withdraw from the course, it is your responsibility to do this yourself online by
April 1. Otherwise I will give you the grade you will have earned by the
date of the final.
8. EXCESSIVE ABSENCES: I will suspend grading assignments if more than four (4) class
meetings are missed, whatever the reasons. This will necessitate a conference with me for
reinstatement, and will lower your course grade.
9. REQUIRED TEXTS:
• Kottak: Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (9th ed.)
McGraw/Hill, 2011. (Earlier, used editions available online).
• Angeloni, ed. Annual Editions: Anthropology (38th Edition). McGraw-Hill 2014.
(Note: older text editions may be acceptable; check with instructor before buying).
2
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
3
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
10. CELL PHONES, TABLETS, and RECORDING DEVICES: Turn off cell phones, tablets,
and other devices while in class. Failure to do so may result in the loss of points, and the
lowering of your grade. Use of any recording devices (audio or video) in class or during class
activities is prohibited without formal, written permission from the instructor.
11. ETHICS: Plagiarism on any assignment is not acceptable, will result in an "F" (0%) for that
assignment, and could result in a failing grade for the course.
12. ACADEMIC DISABILITY: Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or
accommodations speak with me, or contact the Disability Support Services (445-4459).
13. EXRA CREDIT: A Saturday Field Trip to Grimes Point petroglyph site, and Hidden Cave
archaeological site near Fallon, may be arranged during the semester. I will announce dates
and details of this tentative trip at a later date. Extra credit may be earned for this excursion. It
is NOT obligatory.
14. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES for ANTHROPOLOGY 201
It is expected upon enrollment of this course that students will
1. have the college-level skills in reading, writing, and oral communication appropriate to
their career path.
2. have effective and efficient learning skills, including the location and evaluation of
information.
3. have appropriate computer skills.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated they can:
1. Exhibit factual knowledge of a broad range of cultures of the world.
2. Examine cultural change through the lens of ethnographic and ethnologic research.
3. Describe diverse positions on selected anthropological values or practices.
4. Demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity through an examination of cultural
interaction from selected areas of the world.
5. Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking through substantially error-free prose
suitable to the purpose of relating selected anthropological topics to personal
experience and knowledge.
4
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
Tentative Course Schedule
Responses are due on Wednesdays @ Midnight to Turnitin.com
Jan 25/27
Introduction. What is Anthropology?
Read Kottak: Mirror for Humanity (referred to below as “M/H”) Ch 1.
Be prepared to discuss “One Hundred Percent American” by Ralph Linton
(Google the above title. It can be read or downloaded in many forms from the web)
Feb 1/3
The Science of Culture.
Read: M/H Ch 2.
Video in class: Shock of the Other
Response 1 due Feb 3: “Tricking and Tripping: Fieldwork on Prostitution in the Era of AIDS"
(in Annual Editions, henceforth referred to as "AE", p21).
Feb 8/10
Culture: Thinking Anthropologically
Read M/H Ch 3.
Response 2 due Feb 10: “The Arrow of Disease" (AE p185).
Feb 17 (no class Monday)
Language and Culture
Read M/H Ch 4.
Response 3 due Feb 17: "How Language Shapes Thought" (AE p36).
Feb 22/24
Subsistence Patterns
Read M/H Ch 5.
Response 4 due Feb 24: “The Inuit Paradox" (AE p70).
Feb 29/Mar 2
Social, Economic, and Political Systems
Read M/H Ch 6.
Response 5 due Mar 2: “Cell Phones, Sharing, and Social Status in an African Society" (AE
p75).
Mar 7/9
Marriage, Family, Kinship and Descent
Read M/H Ch 7.
Response 6 due Mar 9: “The Invention of Marriage” (AE p83).
Mar 14/16
Descent, Social Grouping
Read "Meghalaya: Where Women Call the Shots" (AE p63)
MIDTERM Wed Mar 16
(Covers Mirror for Humanity, Chapters 1-7, class lectures, and readings).
5
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
Spring Break Mar 21-25
Mar 28/30
Gender
Read M/H Ch 8.
Response 7 due Mar 30: "The Hijras: an Alternative Gender in India" (AE p121).
Apr 4/6
Social Inequality
For class read M/H, Ch. 13.
Response 8 due Apr 6: “Arranging a Marriage in India” (AE p103).
Apr 11/13
Ethnicity and Race
Read M/H Ch 10, and “The American Anthropological Society’s Statement on Race”
(available online at: www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm).
Response 9 due Apr 13: “Armor Against Prejudice" (AE p40).
Apr 18/20
The Supernatural
Read M/H Ch 9.
Video in class: Shaman's Apprentice
Response 10 due Apr 20: “Understanding Islam" (AE p157).
Optional Term Papers Due Apr 20
Apr 25/27
Colonialism and Globalization
Read M/H Ch 12.
Video in class: Economics of Happiness
Response 11 due Apr 27: “The Americanization of Mental Illness" (AE p193).
May 2/4
Terrorism as a Response to History
Read "Five Myths of Terrorism" (AE p162).
Video in class: Death in Gaza
Response 12 due May 4: "The September 11 Effect on Anthropology" (AE p15).
May 9/11
Applying Anthropology and Cultural Change. What's in Our Future?
Read M/H Ch 11, and "Being Indigenous in the 21st Century" (AE p216).
All Make-up and Late Assignments Due by Sunday, May 15 at Midnight.
May 16
FINAL EXAM Mon May 16 (no class May 18)
(Covers Mirror for Humanity, Ch 8-11, and 13, readings, and lectures)
6
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
READING RESPONSES SCORING RUBRIC
19-20 points—Excellent Discussion
• Shows an excellent understanding of the main ideas of the article
• Ties personal views to those ideas
• “Connects the dots” by associating the main ideas of the article with course material, other experiences,
readings, classes, etc. and demonstrates intellectual maturity
• Exceeds the minimum requirements
16-18 points—Good Discussion
• Shows a good understanding of the main ideas of the article
• Ties personal views to those ideas
• Meets the minimum requirements
13-15 points—Average Discussion
• Shows some understanding of the main ideas of the article
• Relies heavily on personal views with little involvement of ideas from the article
• Does not meet the minimum requirements
11-12 points—Less-than-average Discussion
• Does not demonstrate basic understanding of the article
• Does not meet minimum requirements
• May have traces of plagiarized text
10 points or less
• Late assignment
• May not demonstrate basic understanding of the article
• May not meet minimum requirements
• May have minor amounts of plagiarized text
0 points
• All or much of response was plagiarized
Example of Rubric Scoring for Weekly Responses:
7
Anthropology 201 IAV: People and Cultures of the World
SETTING UP YOUR TURNITIN.COM ACCOUNT:
2016 Spring Anthropology 201:Peoples and Cultures of the World
Responses Due Wednesdays by Midnight
The written Responses for this class (see class schedule) will be submitted through the
website “www.Turnitin.com” Below are the directions for creating your user profile and
submitting your work:
1. Write the assignment (two-page minimum/600 words, 1.5 line spacing, size 12 font),
and save as a document to your hard drive (e.g. “Response 1”). MS Word is the preferred
application, but others work OK if you “save as” rtf, pdf, or txt formatted document.
2. Go to the website www.turnitin.com and click on the “Create Account” button (top left).
3. Under “Create a User Profile” and “Create a New Account,” select “student.” (or sign in with
your Email Address and Password if you’ve used Turnitin.com before).
4. Use the following info to create your new student account:
Anthro 201 IAV: Peoples and Cultures of the World
Class ID: 11377172
Class Enrollment Password: starratt
(you will use this info only once—the first time you set up your account)
5. Fill out rest of form. Remember to write down your email account and new password for
later.
6. Click “I agree—create profile”
7. Finish. “Log in to Turnitin”
Welcome—ready to submit a Response.
8. Click on the class (Anthro 201) and go to “Response 1: Tricking and Tripping,” click “submit,”
find your assignment on your hard drive (browse) and send it. That’s it! You will get an instant
email receipt for your work from Turnitin if your submission was accepted.
9. If you do not get an email receipt: try resaving your response as an rtf or txt file and resubmit.
11. Your scores on all your class work will be posted here so you can keep track of how you’re
doing during the semester.
12. Good! Now that you’ve read this entire syllabus, write at the top of your Response 1:
“I read the whole syllabus!” and I’ll give you 5 extra points. No kidding--snooze, you lose,
however...
8