INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY Spring, 2014
339-10400 Section 01 (MWF 8 – 8:50, CRN 40705) Williams 222
339-10400 Section 02 (MWF 9 – 9:50, CRN 43009) Williams 222
David Turkon, Ph.D., Telephone: 274-1782; Email: dturkon@ithaca.edu
Office: G12. Hours: MW. 10:00-11:00; R 11:00am - 12:00pm.
Turn your cell phone off during class. Cell phones and palm pilots are not allowed on desks.
Computers may be open only for note taking. If I catch you surfing the web or playing games you
will not be allowed to use your computer in my class again.
I reserve the right to change aspects of the course content, including the nature of
assignments and grading standards. In the unlikely event that I do I will notify you in class, and
post an altered syllabus to my web site.
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented
disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Students must register with Student Disability Services and
provide appropriate documentation to the College before any academic adjustment will be
provided.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW
WELCOME! This course introduces cultural anthropology but we also explore other sub-fields
of anthropology - biological, linguistics, archaeology and applied. To be sure, one cannot begin to
understand contemporary homo sapiens without considering our past as well as our biological
and communicative propensities.
The core of the course examines relationships between culture (shared, learned traits) and
society (life organized into groups) by focusing on different areas of social organization that
anthropologists use to understand cultural beliefs, practices and social organization. The areas
include economics, religion, politics, social stratification, language, kinship, identity and so on. It is
important to recognize that while we isolate these areas for the purpose of study, together they
comprise a dynamic system that embodies the rules, structures, traditions, etc., that lend
meaning and substance to a given people's actions and beliefs. Put together, we understand this
abstract totality as “culture.” We also look closely at applied anthropology - the fastest growing
subfield of anthropology – which “applies” anthropological theories and methods toward
addressing social problems and informing social policies.
Please peruse my web site. You will find information about anthropology, this class, and get an
idea about my own background, research interests and civic engagement.
Textbook
Our texts give you an overview of anthropology. There is much to learn about anthropology,
and I have never found the prefect textbook. I like van der Elst’s book because it covers most of
the basics and does so in a truly holistic manner. Throughout his book van der Elst draws on the
past and on our biological propensities in order to explain the world we inhabit in the present. Van
der Elst’s book also integrates well with the material I present in lectures. Nonetheless, I only
occasionally discuss readings. It’s up to you to keep up with readings by following the syllabus
and asking questions if you don’t understand something or want to know more about it.
Book Reaction Papers:
We read two ethnographies (reports about particular cultural groups) that deal with
modernization and globalization. Reaction papers give you an opportunity to explore your own
ethics as they apply to people we think of as “others.” I’ll provide a guide for each assignment.
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Tests
There are two tests, a mid-term and a final. Each will comprise multiple choice, short answer
and essay questions. The final covers only material presented following the mid-term test. If you
cannot make an exam get in touch with me well before it is scheduled! I administer make-up
exams solely at my discretion.
Attendance
Much of what is presented in class is not available elsewhere. If you miss class get notes from
another student. I will post Powerpoint presentations to Saki on request but I do not loan lecture
notes. I reserve the right to drop you from this class if you miss more than three hours of
instruction. I take attendance and significant absences may hurt your grade as much as tenpercent.
Grading
Each test is worth twenty-percent of your final grade for a total of forty-percent. Each
reaction papers is worth twenty-percent of your final grade, for a total of forty-percent. Video
question sheets will account for ten-percent of your final grade. The two tests, two reaction
papers and video questions thus account for ninety-percent of your final grade. The remaining
ten-percent of your final grade is based on participation and attendance.
The scale for calculating your test scores and final grade is:
A
95 and above
A–
91 – 94
B+
87 – 90
B
84 – 86
C+
77 – 80
C
74 – 76
D+
67 – 70
D
64 – 66
F
00 – 59
B–
C–
D–
81 - 83
71 - 73
60 - 63
IC 20/20 Themes:
If you are taking this course to get credit for an IC 20/20 theme, then you will need an artifact for
your portfolio. You can use our two reaction papers. Each explores “Identities” by looking at the
relationship of the anthropologist to the indigenous people she is “studying.” Each explores
“World of Systems” by situating the reading within global forces that affect what is happening
locally.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism (presenting another person's work or ideas as your own) may result in severe
academic penalties.
TEXTBOOKS:
Our books are available at the campus bookstore. They are:
Kenny, Mary Lorena
2007 Hidden Heads of Households: Child Labor in Urban Northeast Brazil. Toronto:
University of TorontoPress. ISBN-13: 978-1-44260-084-3
Lundgren, Nancy
2002 Watch and Pray: A Portrait of Fante Village Life in Transition. NY: Harcourt College
Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0155059337
van der Elst, Dirk
2003 Cultural as Given, Culture as Choice, 2nd Edition. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press,
Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1577662693
SCHEDULE BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE:
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Dates are approximate. Neither the real world nor you instructor are well structured and
orderly. I do my best to keep to this schedule but deviate from time to time. I also spend more
time on topics you show interest in and less on those you don’t. Thus, it’s UP TO YOU to come to
class and be aware of exactly where we are and if there are changes in dates for exams, videos,
lecture topics or anything else.
Week 1
01/22 & 01/24: Introduction and the biological basis for human behavior. Read: van der Elst Ch.
1.
Week 2
01/27 – 01/31: The biological basis for human behavior, continued.
Video: New Chimpanzees.
Week 3
02/03 – 02/07: The biological basis for human behavior - Understanding “race” and “ethnicity.”
Plus, culture, fieldwork and anthropological perspectives. Read: van der Elst Chs. 2 & 3.
Week 4
02/10 – 02/14: Culture, fieldwork and anthropological perspectives, continued (van der Elst Chs.
2 & 3).
Slides – Health and Development in Lesotho.
Video: African House Calls.
Reaction Paper # 1 due 2/14: (Watch and Pray)
Week 5
02/17 – 02/21: The rise of anthropological theory: from social Darwinism to cultural ecology
beyond. Read: van der Elst Ch. 8.
Powerpoint
Week 6
02/24 – 02/28: Language, communication and symbols. Read: van der Elst Ch. 4.
Video: Earth Conservation Corps.
Exam 1 on 2/28
Week 7
03/03 – 03/07: Language, communication and symbols, continued.
Videos: Ishi.
Week 8
03/10 - 03/14: SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Week 9
03/17 – 03/21 Kinship, descent, gender & social organization. Readings: van der Elst Ch. 5 & 6.
Video: Yanomami
Week 10
03/24 – 03/28: Kinship, descent, gender & social organization. Readings: van der Elst Ch. 5 & 6.
Video: Walk to the Beautiful
Week 10
03/31 – 04/04: Kinship, descent, gender &social organization, Continued.
Reaction Paper # 2 due 4/4 (Hidden Heads of Households)
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Week 11
04/07 - 04/11: Religion, magic, witchcraft, sorcery. Readings: van der Elst Ch. 9 & 10.
Week 12
04/14 – 04/18: Religion, magic, witchcraft, sorcery, continued. (van der Elst Ch. 9 & 10).
Video: Holy Hustlers.
Week 13
04/21 – 04/25 Religion, magic, witchcraft, sorcery, continued.
Video: Secrets of the Psychics
Week 14
04/28 – 05/02: Globalization, modernization, economics and politics. Readings: van der Elst Ch.
11 and 12.
Video: The Dammed
Week 15
05/05: Review for final exam.
Final exam:
Section 01: Monday May 12, 4:30pm to 7:00pm.
Section 02: Monday May 12, 1:30pm to 4:00pm.
“Tentative” alternate time for both sections: Wednesday May 7, 10:39am to 1:00pm.
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