Upper-division Writing Requirement Review Form (2/11)
I. General Education Review – Upper-division Writing Requirement
Dept/Program
Anthropology
Course # (i.e.
ANTY 403E
Subject
ANTH 455) or
sequence
Course(s) Title
Ethics and Anthropology
Description of the requirement if it is not a single course.
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
G.G. Weix
Phone / Email
6319
GG.Weix@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair
Gil Quintero
Dean
Chris Comer
III. Type of request
New
X
One-time Only
Change
Remove
Reason for new course, change or deletion
IV Overview of the Course Purpose/ Description
This course has been a ethics course and upper division elective for the Anthropology major
since it was created in 1970, and I have taught it for the past 19 years. It has always required
students to write responses to ethical topics, debates, and case studies as short essay midterms
and final exams, as well as numerous, in class assigned commentaries on readings to
demonstrate grasp of the concepts and mastery of ethical reasoning and discussion of various
topics. Because the course serves both Anthropology majors, minors, and also fulfills general
education for non-majors in their third or fourth year (as a Junior or Senior), it is a good
candidate for the upper division writing course to be taken prior to the WPA. The course has
prerequisites of either ANTY 101, or 220, or consent of the instructor. The course enrollment
would be capped at 25 students if approved for upper division writing, and would generate at
least 25 pages of writing, 50% of those short essays returned with feedback and revised and
resubmitted for a final grade. Students are expected to become familiar, and demonstrate
competence with writing conventions of the discipline of Anthropology, forms of Social
Science citation, and be able to address different audiences related to the topics discussed.
V Learning Outcomes: Explain how each of the following learning outcomes will be
achieved.
Student learning outcomes :
Various ethical topics and debates are
Identify and pursue sophisticated
presented that require students to write
questions for academic inquiry
commentaries on both the cross cultural
content, and the ethical reasoning relevant to
the debate.
Find, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize
information effectively and ethically from
diverse sources (see
http://www.lib.umt.edu/informationliterac
y/)
Manage multiple perspectives as
appropriate
Recognize the purposes and needs of
discipline-specific audiences and adopt
the academic voice necessary for the
chosen discipline
Use multiple drafts, revision, and editing
in conducting inquiry and preparing
written work
Follow the conventions of citation,
documentation, and formal presentation
appropriate to that discipline
Develop competence in information
technology and digital literacy (link)
Students are presented with a supplemental
bibliography from which to draw additional
readings to support their arguments.
Because some topics require students to
articulate positions different from their current
views (cultural or ethical), the writing exercises
serve as an opportunity for them to present
alternate views to their own with cogency and
clarity and interrogate the ethical reasoning
relevant to that position.
Many ethical topics and debates require
recognition of specific audiences both within
and beyond anthropology, especially Native
communities. The short essay format allows
students to address different audiences and
viewpoints.
Students revise and resubmit short
commentaries in response to feedback from the
instructor.
All conventions of citation, documentation and
writing for the Social Sciences are taught and
expected for all assignments.
In the past 10 years, I have invited guest
speakers from the Library faculty to the class,
or sent students to Library workshops on
digital technology for resources and additional
readings.
VI. Writing Course Requirements
Enrollment is capped at 25 students.
If not, list maximum course enrollment.
Class enrollment will be capped at 25.
Explain how outcomes will be adequately
met for this number of students. Justify
the request for variance.
Briefly explain how students are provided The numerous commentary assignments
with tools and strategies for effective
throughout the semester provide a constant
writing and editing in the major.
process of revision and refinement of their writing.
Which written assignment(s) includes
The commentaries.
revision in response to instructor’s
feedback?
VII. Writing Assignments: Please describe course assignments. Students should be required
to individually compose at least 20 pages of writing for assessment. At least 50% of the course
grade should be based on students’ performance on writing assignments. Quality of content
and writing are integral parts of the grade on any writing assignment.
Formal Graded Assignments
A midterm of short essays, done in a limited time on Moodle
supplement, similar to the WPA. No opportunity for revision.
Informal Ungraded
Weekly commentaries are revised and resubmitted with
Assignments
response from instructor, and the grade is based on the top 10
scores from 13, to allow for practice and improvement (3
ungraded assignments must still be completed).
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  For
assistance on syllabus preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
The syllabus must include the following:
1. Writing outcomes
2. Information literacy expectations
3. Detailed requirements for all writing assignments or append writing assignment instructions
Anthropology 403E: Ethics and Anthropology
Spring 2013
Room: Stone 304
Time: 11:00-12:30 P.M.
GG.Weix@mso.umt.edu
243-6319
G.G. Weix
Office: SS 223
Office Hours: R 8:00-11:00 A.M.
Or by appointment
Course Description
UG 403E (ANTH 403E) Ethics and Anthropology 3 cr. Offered spring odd-numbered
years. Prereq., ANTY 101H or 220S (ANTH 101H or 220S), or consent of instr. Ethical
and anthropological modes of inquiry in relation to each other. Focus on the sociocultural
subfield as well as ethical issues in physical anthropology and archaeology.
We will consider both anthropological knowledge and method as opportunities to
articulate forms of ethical reasoning. The topics for discussion are: comparative concepts
of person, local vs. universal knowledge, cultural vs. moral relativism, the problem of
suffering, loss and healing, the study of power, politics and interests, individual and
collective agency, and moral responses to violence. This course is designed for juniors
and seniors who have taken at least one lower division course in anthropology.
Readings
Edel, A. and M. Anthropology and Ethics: the quest for moral understanding
(Springfield: Charles Thomas Pub, 1959, revised and reprinted in 1968 by Case Western
University Press).
Optional Reading
Endicott, Kirk, and Robert Welsch, editors. Taking Sides: clashing views on
controversial issues in Anthropology (second edition, McGraw Hill Pub. 2003).
Goals and Learning Objectives
1. To state the major debates and problems common to ethics and anthropology, and be
able to cite examples in which the fields mutually engage questions and avenues for
decision-making and action.
2. To identify, analyze and evaluate the ethical dilemmas and issues in each of the four
sub-disciplines of anthropology, the field as a whole, and ways practice and methods can
address them to allow for ethical decision-making and action.
3. To master the discipline-based conventions of descriptive and analytic anthropological
writing, and to demonstrate that mastery across a variety of topics, assignments, and
styles of writing, including editing skills, in assembling a portfolio of writing assignments
on the topics in the class.
Assignments and Evaluation
Grades are based on a short essay midterm, and a portfolio of ten commentaries on
readings, with each commentary 2-3 pages (500-700 words) in length. Commentaries
may be hand-written or typed, but they must be proofread with citations. There are 13
commentaries assigned, with the portfolio grade based on the top ten scores. At least five
commentaries must be resubmitted for feedback and revision to demonstrate editing skills
and refinement of voice in different kinds of writing: descriptive, analytic, evaluative,
and persuasive. Portfolios and revisions will be handed in on Fridays and returned on
Mondays. Writing will be evaluated according to the enclosed rubric designed by the
Writing Committee, and grades will be assigned on the basis of a qualitative description
of the writing earning each letter grade. The midterm will be worth 100 points, and each
commentary will be worth 10 points, for a total of 200 points for the course.
Grade Policy
Traditional grades are assigned on the following scale, including the option of +/- for
scores within three points of another grade: 180-200 A, 160-179 B, 140-159 C, 120-139
D, below 120, an F. To receive credit only, a score of 120 points or higher is required.
Academic Policy
Attendance in the course is required. However, if you are ill (or have a family
emergency), please stay home; you do not need to call the instructor. Illness, family
emergency, military duty, and official university sports are all legitimate reasons to
reschedule the midterm on March ___. You must call 243-6319 on, or before the day of
the midterm to notify me of your absence. There will be no extensions on the portfolio.
Disability Accommodation If you have a disability and are registered with Disability
Services, and you need accommodation for the course, please notify me within the first
week to set up accommodation for evaluation.
The last day the course may be added or dropped by cyberbear is _____ and the
last day to drop a course without a petition is ______.
SYLLABUS
WEEK ONE: Four fields of Anthropology: the big questions
January
Introduction and overview of four fields of anthropology
Codes of ethics (Association of American Anthropologists) and methods
Four fields dilemmas: language death, ethnocide, repatriation, physical measurement
Readings
Handouts in class (AAA code)
Endicott and Welsch, Part I Biological Anthropology
Edel and Edel, Chapter VI, “Control of In Group Aggression”
Supplemental Readings
American Anthropological Association. Professional Ethics: statements and procedures
of the AAA.
Appell, George. Ethical Dilemmas in Anthropological Inquiry: A Case Book (1978)
Bernard, H. Russell. Ethics and Values in Applied Social Research (1988)
Cassell, Joan. "Ethical Principles for conducting fieldwork," American Anthropologist,
2(1). March 1980, pp. 28-41.
Dewey, John. "Anthropology and Ethics," The Social Sciences and their Interrelations,
edited by William Ogburn, and Alexandar Goldenweiser. Cambridge: Houghton Miffin
Co., The Riverside Press (1927).
Edel, Abraham. "Anthropology and Ethics in Common Focus," The Journal of the Royal
Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland London: the Institute. Vol. 92
(1):55-72.
Fleuhr-Lovan, Carolyn. Ethics in Anthropology: Ethics and the Profession of
Anthropology: Dialogue for a New Era Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press,
1991.
Akeroyd, Anne. "Ethics in relation to informants, the profession and governments,"
Ethnographic research: A guide to general conduct edited by R. F. Ellen. New York:
Academic Press, 1984. 133-154.
Sterud, Eugene L. Memo from AAA (Ethics). March 15, 1990.
WEEK TWO: Four Fields of Anthropology
January
19th Century American Anthropology
February
Discussion of 20th century American anthropology
Anthropology and Politics
Readings
Endicott and Welsch, Part II Archeology
Edel and Edel, Chapter 16 “Some philosophical considerations in the dialogue of
anthropology and ethics
Supplemental Readings
Stauder, Jack. "The 'Relevance' of Anthropology to Colonialism and Imperialism," in The
'Racial' Economy of Science ed. by Sandra Harding. pp. 408-433.
Gutman, Amy. "The Challenge of Multiculturalism in Political Ethics," Philosophy and
Public Affairs
Haraway, Donna. "The Bio-Politics of a Multicultural Field," in The 'Racial' Economy of
Science pp. 377-397.
Stephan, Nancy L. "Race and Gender: the Role of Analogy in Science," ibid, pp. 359376.
National Academy of Science. "Methods of Values in Science," ibid, 341-343.
WEEK THREE: Ethics: a Student’s guide to concepts of person
The concept of the person
Moral education
Moral development
Readings
Edel and Edel, Chapter 9 “The Moral Community and the Person” Chapter 10, “System:
Ethical Concepts”
Endicott and Welsch Part III Linguistic Anthropology
Supplemental Readings
Meyer-Fortes, ___. "The Concept of the Person," in Religion, Morality and Custom.247286.
Read, K.E. "Morality and the concept of the person among the native peoples of
Australia, New Guinea, and the islands of the Pacific," OCEANIA Volume 25(4), 1955.
233-282.
Shweder, Richard et al. "Does the Concept of Person Vary Cross-culturally?" Culture
Theory: Essays on Mind, Self and Emotion edited by Richard Shweder and Robert
Levine. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984. 323-346.
WEEK FOUR: Cultural vs. Moral Relativism
Multiplicity
Relativism
Commitment
Readings
Edel and Edel, Anthropology and Ethics Chapters 1 “Staking the Field” 2 “The Mark of
the Moral” and 3 “The Range of Moral Differences and the Quest for Universals”
Supplemental Readings
Gokberk, Ulkar. "Understanding Alterity: Auslanderliteratur between Relativism and
Universalism," in Colonial Discourse and Post-Colonial Theory ed. by Patrick Williams
and Laura Chrisman. New York: Columbia University Press, 1994. pp. 143-172
Von Fritz, Kurt. "Relative and Absolute Values," (Chapter six) in Moral Principles of
Action pp. 94-121.
Kluckhohn, Clyde. "Ethical relativity: sic et non," Journal of Philosophy Volume 52,
1955. pp. 663-677.
Lyons, David. "Ethical Relativism and the Problem of Incoherence," Ethics Volume 86,
1976. pp. 107-121.
Geertz, Clifford. "Anti Anti-Relativism," in Relativism: Interpretation and Confrontation
ed. by Michael Krausz. Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1989. pp. 12-34.
Hirst, Paul. "An Answer to Relativism?" New Formations 10, Spr.1990. pp. 13-21.
Rorty, Amelie Oksenberg. "Relativism, Persons, and Practices," in Relativism ed. by
Krausz. pp. 418-440.
Matilal, B.K.. "Ethical Relativism and Confrontation of Cultures," in Relativism ed. by
Krausz. pp. 339-362.
WEEK FIVE:
Moral Engagement, Local Knowledge and the Academy
Holiday President’s Day
Higher Education
Local Knowledge and Accountability
Readings
Edel and Edel: Chapter 8, “A few reflections midstream” Chapter 11, “System: ethical
generalization”
Supplemental Readings
Daston, Lorraine. "The Image of Objectivity," Representations Vol. No.1993, pp. 81-128.
Goldschmidt, Walter. "Ethics and the structure of society: an ethnological contribution to
the sociology of knowledge," American Anthropologist 53. pp. 506-524.
Shweder, Richard. "Beyond Self-constructed Knowledge: the study of Culture and
Morality," Merrill Palmer Quarterly Vol. 28, no. 1, 1982. pp. 41-69.
Shweder, Richard. "Ghostbusters in Anthropology," KAS Papers, No. 69-70, pp.100-108.
Shweder, Richard. "Post-Nietzschian Anthropology: The Idea of Multiple Objective
Worlds," in Relativism: Interpretation and Confrontation ed. by Michael Krausz. Indiana:
University of Notre Dame Press, 1989.
WEEK SIX: Reason, Emotion and Rationality
February
Reason
March
Emotion
Rationality
Readings
Edel and Edel, chapter 12 “Justification”, Chapter 13 “Sanctions and moral feelings”
Endicott and Welsch, Part IV, Cultural Anthropology
Supplemental Readings
Edwards, Carolyn Pope. "Rationality, Culture, and the Construction of 'Ethical
Discourse': A Comparative Perspective," in Ethical Relativism pp. 318-339.
Rosaldo, Michelle. "Towards an Anthropology of Self and Feeling," in Culture Theory:
Essays on Mind, Self and Emotion ed. by Richard Shweder, and Robert Levine.
Cambridge University Press, 1984. pp. 137-157.
Crapanzano, Vincent. "Preliminary notes on the Glossing of Emotions," 69-70: 78-85.
Spiro, Melford. "Some reflections on cultural determinism and relativism with special
reference to emotion and reason," in Culture Theory ed. by Shweder. pp. 323-346.
Herzfeld, Michael. "Honour and Shame: Problems in comparative Analysis of Moral
Systems,"
Walton, Douglas. "The Place of Emotion in Argument," in Argument and Fallacy
Pennsylvania State University Press, 1992.
WEEK SEVEN: Hierarchy, Rights and Obligation
March Morality of kinship
Social hierarchy and obligation
The discourse on human rights
Readings
Edel and Edel, Chapter 4 “On being a Good Mother” Chapter 5 “The Prohibition Against
Incest” Chapter 7 “Distributive Justice”
Endicott and Welsch, Part IV, Cultural Anthropology
Supplemental Readings
Firth, Raymond."The Meaning of Social Anthropology," Elements of Social Organization
Barnes, J.A. "Genitrix: Genitor:: Nature: Culture," in The Character of Kinship ed. by
Jack Goody. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1973. pp. 61-73.
Bloch, Maurice. "The long-term and the short-term: the economic and political
significance of the morality of kinship," in ibid, pp. 75-88.
Freeman, Derek. "Kinship, Attachment Behavior and Primary Bond,"ibid, pp.109-119.
Pitt-Rivers, Julian. "Kith and Kin," in The Character of Kinship ed. Goody. pp. 89-105.
WEEK EIGHT: Loss and Healing
March
Loss, Pain, Misery
Forms of Healing
The Problem of Suffering
Midterm: March __ in class
Readings
Edel and Edel, Chapter 9 Ethical Generalization, Chapter 14 Moral Configurations
Supplemental Readings
Kleinman, Arthur. "The Social Sources of Pain, Distress, and Misery: A Medical
Anthropological Perpective on the Symbolic Bridge between social structure and
physiology," KAS Papers, No.s 69-70, pp. 14-22.
WEEK NINE:
Spring Break
WEEK TEN: Anthropology of Morality
March
Anthropology of Evil
Historical vs. cross cultural discussion of good and evil
April
Twentieth century debates
Readings
Edel and Edel Chapter 15 Evaluation
Endicott, Part 5 Ethics in Anthropology
Supplemental Readings
Langton, R.. "Speech and Unnspeakable Acts," in Philosophy and Public Affairs Fall
1993, 22(4), pp. 293-330.
Proctor, Robert. "Nazi Medicine and the Politics of Knowledge," in The 'Racial'
Economy of Science ed. by Sandra Harding. Bloomington: University of Indiana Press,
1993. pp. 344-358.
Parkin, The Anthropology of Evil, especially, Parkin, Introduction, pp. 1-25, Caplan,
"The popular culture of evil in urban south India" pp. 110-127, Inden, "Hindu evil as
unconquered Lower Self" pp. 142-164, Taylor, "Theological thoughts about evil" pp. 2641, Pocock, "Unruly evil" pp.42-56
WEEK ELEVEN: Anthropology of Self and Responsibility
April
Anthropology of Self
Responsibility vs. Accountability
Audit Cultures
Readings
Endicott, Part 5 continued
Supplemental Readings
Johnston, Mark. "Relativism and the Self," in Relativism ed. Krausz, pp. 441-472.
Harre, Rom. "The "Self" as Theoretical Concept," ibid. pp. 387-417.
Fromm, Eric. "Conscience," in Moral Principles of Action ed.Anshen. pp. 176-198.
Meyer-Fortes, "Custom and Conscience," in Religion, Morality, Custom pp. 175-217.
Zizek, Slavoj. "Act as the limit of distributive justice," New Formations 14, Summer,
1991. pp. 69-80.
WEEK TWELVE: Collective Action and Agency
April
Collective Action
Agency, Individual vs. Collective
Unintended Consequences
Readings
Endicott, Part 5 continued
Supplemental Readings
Kluckhohn, Clyde. "A Comparative Study of Values in Five Cultures," in Navaho
Veterans: A Study of Changing Values ed. by Vogt, E. Z. Volume XLI (PT1) 1951. pp.
vii-ix.
Linton, Ralph. "Universal Ethical Principles: An Anthropological View," in Moral
Principles of Action: Man's Ethical Imperative ed. by Ruth N. Anshen. New York:
Harper and Brothers Publishers. 1952. pp. 645-660.
Northrop, F.S.C. "Criterion of Universal Ethical and Legal Norms," in ibid, pp. 122-139.
Harman, Gilbert. "Is There a Single True Morality," in Relativism ed. by Krausz. pp.
363-386.
WEEK THIRTEEN: Morality, Discourse and History
May
The history of morality, the morality of history
Ethics of Fieldwork revisited
Fieldwork on Ethics
Supplemental Readings
Punch, Maurice. "The Politics and Ethics of Fieldwork," in Qualitative Research Methods
Vol. 3 Sage Pub.
Pecora, Vincent. "Ethics, Politics, and the Middle Voice," Yale French Studies Volume
79, 1991. pp. 203-230.
Murphy, William P. "Creating the Appearance of Consensus in Mende Political
Discourse," American Anthropologist Volume 92, no. 1, March, 1990. pp. 24-41.
Van den Abbeele, Georges. "Sightseers: The Tourist as Theorist," Diacritics December
1980. pp. 3-46.
Tedlock, Dennis. "The Analogical Tradition and the Emergence of a Dialogical
Anthropology," Journal of Anthropological Research Volume 35, no. 4, Winter 1979. pp.
387-400.
WEEK FOURTEEN: Morality, Culture and Anthropology
May
Moral vs. Social Facts
Diversity
Multiculturalism
Readings
Optional reading or case study materials
Supplemental Readings
Durkheim, Emile. "The Determination of Moral Facts," in Sociology and Philosophy pp.
35-97.
Douglas, Mary. "Morality and Culture," Ethics Volume 93, no. 4. pp. 786-791.
Firth, Raymond. "Moral Standards and Social Organization," in Elements of Social
Organization (Chapter six).
Ginsburg, Morris. "On the Diversity of Morals," The Journal of the Royal
Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland Volume 83, no. 2, 1953. London:
The Institute, 1907-1965. pp. 117-135.
Marett, R. R. "The beginnings of morals and culture: an introduction to social
anthropology," pp. 395-430.
Wolfram, S. "Anthropology and Morality," in Journal of the Anthropological Society of
Oxford 13, 1982. 262-274.
WEEK FIFTEEN: Conclusion and Evaluation
May
Discussion and Review
Portfolios are due.
Evaluation
Presentations on case study and conclusion.