Credit Hours: 3.0 hrs
Days and Times the course meets: unlimited
Location and Classroom: virtual world
Introduction
This online course will furnish a thorough introduction to the principles and processes of cultural anthropology. Cultural anthropology is the study of similarities and differences among contemporary cultures of the world and development of theories to explain these relationships.
This course places in the field of general anthropology and describes the methods and research problems which both connect it to and distinguish it from anthropology’s main research areas.
Catalog Description
This course furnishes a thorough introduction to the concepts, approaches, and methods of
Cultural Anthropology, one of the four main sub-disciplines of General Anthropology. With an emphasis on the holistic and comparative nature of the cultural anthropological approach, and using contemporary and recent ethnographic examples from around the world, the course provides an awareness of the wide spectrum of cultural and social variation, while at the same time stressing those characteristics that are shared by all human beings. The class includes online content module reviews and class notes, on-line reading assignments and PowerPoint presentations, on-line quizzes and discussion assignments, and streaming movie clips and you tube video clips.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Instructor Information
Instructor’s Name:
A. N. Ariyaratne, Ph. D.
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 268-8595
Instructor’s e-mail address:
Ari.Ariyaratne@heartland.edu
Instructor’s office hours:
Monday 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM or by appointment

Textbook Required
None
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org
for more information.
Beliefs
Academic Discipline: Anthropology is the study of human behavior in all its facets. It is the only contemporary discipline that approaches human questions from historical, biological, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. Each of these sub-disciplines imparts invaluable core knowledge about human beings and their cultural and biological diversity.
Cultural anthropology, by employing its analytical tools ethnology and ethnography, explores a variety of human beliefs and behavior while making sense of the meanings that people from different societies ascribe to their experience.
Student Learning: Students tend to learn best when presented with a variety of ways to get to know the material. This online course is designed prioritizing student engagement in active learning.
Instructor’s Role:
The student-centered approach is central to my teaching philosophy.
This online course of cultural anthropology is designed with the intention of maximizing student participation in active learning.
Moreover, moving beyond traditionally conceived categories of the subject, in this introductory course, I will attempt to give a glimpse of the emerging new theoretical frameworks, methodological transformations, and intellectual currents within the field of cultural anthropology.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes)
Outcomes General Range of Assessment Methods
Education
Outcomes
Reflect upon the formation of their interests, talents, and goals within their human experiences in order to choose appropriate learning environments.
DI3
PS3
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.

Observe cultural interactions and conduct ethnographic interviews in a culturally sensitive and technically sound way, and summarize findings and elicit conclusions clearly and effectively in oral, written, and/or visual forms.
Develop a broader understanding of fellow human beings and an appreciation of human biocultural origin, evolution, and cultural and social diversity.
Define central concepts of cultural anthropology and apply them to everyday life in the process of understanding human condition and addressing human predicaments.
Identify, discuss, and compare, using relevant ethnographic examples, cultural beliefs and behavior related to all facets of human life.
Describe and discuss the process of enculturation and identify the intermingling roles of hereditary and cultural influences on human behavior.
CO1
CO2
DI2
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
DI1
DI5
CT1
CT2
CT1
CT2
CO3
CO1
CO3
CT1
PS2
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.

In light of the insights gained from the holistic and comparative perspectives of cultural anthropology, view human questions in the broadest possible context in order to comprehend their interconnections and interdependence.
Reflect upon and re-examine the formation of one’s own taken-for-granted way of believing and behaving in light of the insights gained from the study of other cultural beliefs and practices.
DI4
PS3
CT1
DI1
DI2
DI3
DI4
CT4
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Course Outline
Module 1: Why Study Cultural Anthropology? Introduction and Perspective
Module 2: And, How? Ethnography and Fieldwork
Module 3: Concept of Culture
Module 4: Culture and Communication: What is the Significance of Language?
Module 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Module 6: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Module 7: Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
Module 8: Cultural Construction of Identity
Module 9: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Module 10: Political Anthropology
Module 11: World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic Systems in
Global Context
Module 12: Modernity, Post modern Critique, and Globalization
Method of Instruction
This online course of anthropology is designed by using the online software package in
Blackboard 9.0. Let me briefly explain some features of the course layout.
Once you are in this webpage, you’ll see the left column on your computer screen, the column very important for navigating through the course. Notice that there are four blocks of links in the left hand navigation column.

The first block is titled as “Course Information.” Click on that, and it will lead you to the syllabus, the document you are reading right now. The syllabus will give you a fairly good idea on course requirements, course work, method of course instructions and evaluation, and course expectations.
The second block has three links: “Course Content,” “Course Calendar,” and “Announcements.”
When you click on the Course Content link, it will lead you to the content modules of the course and they correspond to the Course Outline given above. There are twelve (12) content modules.
Each module has all reading materials, video highlights, and PowerPoint presentations assigned for the week, and links to the week’s online quiz and discussion assignments. Each week, the relevant content module(s) will be made available for the students by Monday at 8:00 am. You are required to visit the webpage regularly throughout the semester to browse the relevant module(s), do the required readings, watch the given movie clips, participate in discussion through posting comments, and complete quizzes and other class assignments.
The Course Calendar link will help you to find the important dates and deadlines in relation to your course activities. The Announcements link will help you to find the instructor’s classrelated announcements.
The third block should be the tools you need to “do” the homework. You will find
“Assessments,” “Discussion Board,” “Journal,” “Email,” “Messages,” and “My Grades” links there.
The fourth block should be “Professor’s Profile.” You will find your instructor’s bio-data and contact information there.
Now click on “Course Content” in the left hand navigation column, and then click on Module
One. You will find the materials you have to study for Module One as the first item. These materials are class notes, power points, online readings, and streaming videos. Each of them is hyperlinked, and by clicking on each heading, you can reach the material.
The second item in Module one is “Weekly Thinking Assignments.” Under this item, you will find information on Quiz 1, Discussion Board 1, and Journal 1, the assignments you have to complete within the first week. In order to take the quiz, click on “assessments” in the left hand navigation column. Similarly, to complete Discussion Board, click on “Discussion Board,” and to complete Journal, click on “Journal.”
The third item in the Module is titled as “Learn More.” Under this item, you will find links with which you can learn more about the topic(s)/theme(s) discussed in the module.
You will find this same pattern in all content modules.
The weekly online quizzes are designed for one attempt only. Each week, the relevant online quiz(zes) will open by Monday at 8:00 a.m. and will remain open until 11:00 pm of Sunday.

Discussion Board(s) and Journal(s) have to be completed no later than Sunday at 11:00 pm, every week.
Note: given the fact that Summer semester has only 8 weeks of learning, in certain weeks you have to study materials given in two modules, instead of one. Put another way, you have to complete 12 modules in 8 weeks. This means, you have to take two quizzes and have to complete two discussion board assignments and two journal entries in certain weeks.
Please follow the weekly course calendar for details.
In order to get the best results from this online course, it is prudent to follow the instructions given in the relevant content modules in their chronological order.
There is no mid-term or final examination for this course.
Method of Evaluation (Grading System)
You will be evaluated using the following method:
Quizzes or Multiple-choice Questions: 3 points x 12 Modules= 36
Discussion Board: 2.5 point x 12 Modules = 30
Journal: 2.5 points x 12 Modules = 30
Participation: 4 points
For discussion board and journal, points are given according to laid out expectations:
2.5 = High level of critical thinking and high proficiency in writing
2.25 = High level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
2 = Moderate level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1 = Low level of critical thinking and low proficiency in writing
0 = Student did not attempt the assignment
When referring to letter grades, definitions, and grade point equivalent, this course follows the guidelines of HCC official grading system given under the HCC Academic Policies of the 2012
HCC Catalog.
Incompletes
Incompletes are allowed only under the most extreme situations. Students wishing to earn an incomplete grade should see the instructor.
Extra Credit
None.
Student Evaluations
In the last 2-3 weeks of class, all students are expected to complete a course evaluation form online, at www.studentevals.com/heartland .
Syllabi disclaimer
The instructor reserves the right to make alterations to this syllabus as necessary.

Course Calendar
Week 1 (June 4)
Module 1: Why Study Cultural Anthropology? Introduction and Perspective
Module 2: And, How? Ethnography and Fieldwork
Week 2 (June 11)
Module 3: Concept of Culture
Module 4: Culture and Communication: What is the Significance of Language?
Week 3 (June 18)
Module 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Week 4 (June 25)
Module 6: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Week 5 (July 2)
Module 7: Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
Module 8: Cultural Construction of Identity
Week 6 (July 9)
Module 9: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Module 10: Political Anthropology
Week 7 (July 16)
Module 11: World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic Systems in
Global Context
Week 8 (July 23)
Module 12: Modernity, Post modern Critique, and Globalization
Assessments begin by July 30