CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
Anth 100: Principles of Anthropology
Dr. Cynthia Van Gilder MWF, Archaeology Lab
Office: 301 Garaventa
cvangild@stmarys-ca.edu
Office Hours: XX & by appointment
An introduction to the history of anthropological theory, research, and writing skills for
anthropology students
Three tests = 25%
Final Exam = 15%
Literature Review (TURNITIN.COM required: class # = 4269840; password = Ortner) = 20%
Research Journal and Other “Stepped Writing Assignments” = 20%
Homework and Quizzes = 10%
Attendance (no more than 4 absences – or receive an F), Preparation, and Participation = 10%
Textbooks:
A History of Anthropological Theory (3rd Edition), by Paul A. Erickson & Liam D. Murphy [HAT]
The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success, by Lawrence A. Machi & Brenda T. McEvoy [TLR]
Writing Research Papers Across the Curriculum, by Susan Hubbuch [HUB]
Learning Outcomes:
Students will…
…learn to ask anthropological questions and research their possible answers in the anthropological
literature by devising search strategies and using library resources to find relevant material
…write a literature review, including developing an appropriate defining thesis, critically evaluating
sources, and then integrating and citing those sources in accordance with the standards of both
anthropology and academic integrity
…employ cyclical strategies of research, writing, and editing to continually improve the relationship
between content (e.g., well-supported and well-reasoned anthropological arguments) and clarity (e.g.,
clear and careful organization, coherent paragraphs and well-constructed sentences that employ the
conventions of Standard Written English)
…demonstrate an understanding of the history of American anthropological theory and how it has
both enabled and constrained the research undertaken within the discipline
Student Responsibilities: Class attendance, completion of reading assignments, and participation in discussions
are all mandatory, and will affect your grade (see above). If you are unable to attend class, please email me
with the subject line Anth 100: Absence. Passive presence is NOT considered participation (see instructor for
clarification, if necessary). I may on occasion give "spot check quizzes" which will affect the homework and
quizzes portion of your grade. Late papers will be penalized 1/3 rd of a letter grade per 24-hour period including
weekends, and missed tests can not be made up. Grades are based on scholastic achievement and mastery of the
material, not just effort. If you receive a failing grade on a test or other assignment, it is highly recommended
that you come to see me privately immediately: do not wait until the end of the semester! My office hours are
intended to give you an opportunity to talk with me about any aspect of the course you find interesting or
confusing, so please take advantage of them. Above all, get involved and have fun!
Academic Integrity: As you know, Saint Mary’s College has a modified honor code. I strongly support this policy
and will be asking students to affirm their commitment to the code on each assignment submitted for a grade in
this class. If you are unwilling to abide by the code, please do not take this class. If at any time you have
questions about the honor code, plagiarism, citations, or inappropriate collaboration, please do not hesitate to
ask.
1
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
Student Disability Services: Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations
that take into account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with qualifying
disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student Disability Services Office at (925)
631-4358 to set up a confidential appointment to discuss accommodation, policies, guidelines and available
services. Additional information regarding the services available may be found at the following address on the
Saint Mary’s website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-advising-and-achievement/studentdisability-services.html
Center for Writing Across the Curriculum (CWAC)
Please note that each assignment will be clearly marked with regards to whether it can be taken to the CWAC for
consultation or not. The CWAC is located in Dante 202. 925-631-4684
**Required Supplies: 1 subject spiral notebook for Research Journal; 3-ring binder (1 inch minimum)
for Literature Review notes; 3-hole paper for binder; post-it tabs; notebook of your choice for Class
notes; colored pencils
**Recommended Supplies: manila folders for any articles printed; file box or cabinet to hold your
articles
**Please note that the Dean of SOLA has approved a materials fee for this class for Spring 2013 so that the students
can receive standardized supplies directly from the professor.
Research Journal Instructions
As you know, your Research Journal needs to be an unused one-subject spiral-bound notebook. So far you
should have one entry in this notebook, consisting of a list of possible research interests. From now on, each and
EVERY time you work on your literature review should be recorded/summarized in your Research Journal.
Every entry should be CLEARLY DATED, and include both a SUMMARY of the research activity AND an estimate
of the AMOUNT of TIME spent AND a TO-DO LIST for next time. The journal does not need to be neat – it should
be a tool for you primarily, but I should be able to find the DATE and AMOUNT of TIME spent clearly indicated at
the TOP of each entry. I should be able to find the TO-DO list at the bottom or somewhere clear, as well.
Some entries may be only a line or two, others may be pages of lists of sources & call numbers, or records of
database sources. There may be days when you write no entries, and others where you write two or three. So,
for example, for September 9, you should minimally be able to say that you went to the library for a review on
research techniques. There should be some notes you took during the session, it will have a duration of 1 hour,
and it should conclude with a to-do list for the next steps you are going to take. If you leave the library, go to
another class, head home and sit down at your computer to run a few searches online while you wait for your
friends to be ready for dinner, just put September 9 down again, record what you do, list a time estimate, and jot
down a next step before you go off to dinner! Remember to carry the Research Journal with you each time you
go to the library, or, if you forget it, jot down your activities on another piece of paper, and then transfer them
into the Research Journal.
Notebook of Notes Instructions
Everyone should have a Notebook of Notes, and now you will, too. This is the three ring binder that is listed on
the required supplies list. When you start to read your sources, you will need to take notes on them. Use the
system we discussed in class with the FULL bibliographic reference listed at the top of the paper and then the
page numbers to the left of the red margin line on the binder paper.
MAKE SURE any direct quotes (even if only two or three words) are recorded in QUOTATION MARKS so that you
do not inadvertently plagiarize when you write your paper later.
Skip a line between each page number you are taking notes on for your paper. This may seem like a waste of
space, but the notes are only worth taking if they are legible and useable. You will need to go back to these notes
and read them, and possibly annotate them, so you need to leave extra space. Whether or not you write on the
back of the page depends on your green sensibilities, the thickness of your paper, and the inky-ness of your pen –
2
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
in short, it’s your choice. Each time you put a new source into your Notebook of Notes, make sure to place a tab
on the right hand side (with the author’s last name & the publication year written visibly) on the first page of the
notes on that source. Also, when you are DONE taking notes on a source, go back and label the pages with
numbers (for example if there are 4 pages on a particular source, label them 1 of 4, 2 of 4, 3 of 4, and 4 of 4 so you
know how many you have and which one you are looking at.
Remember, some sources may only have one sentence of useful information, whereas others may contain
multiple chapters that will help your literature review.
LITERATURE REVIEW FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Your final goal for this project is a 10 to 12 page
paper (double-spaced, 1”margins, 12 point Times font) that is a literature review on a topic you
and I have agreed upon, aka “your potato.” We will work on this project throughout the entire
semester.
You are trying to write like a professional anthropologist (or at least an excellent anthropology
student) and this requires a very different style than, for example, Collegiate Seminar papers.
You are striving for maximum clarity and readability – sometimes that means making your sentences
longer and more complex, and other times it means paring them down. It usually depends on how
complicated the concept you are trying to convey is; complex thoughts often require complex (but still
clear) sentences.
Your goal is to demonstrate to the reader that you have mastery over the material defined by
your topic sentence. Fake it ‘til you make it! 
This paper is ABOUT ANTHROPOLOGY. Most of the topics that you all have chosen could be
investigated (and/or actually have been investigated) by other disciplines. What makes an
anthropological focus on this topic unique? What insights have anthropologists brought to the study
of your topic? Here are some examples:
1) the emotional experience of death could be studied by psychologists, but they would not ask
the same questions as anthropologists have…
2) the effects of the opium trade could be easily studied by economists, historians, and political
scientists, but they would not ask the same questions as anthropologists have…
3) the rise of neo-shamanistic religions could be studied by theologists or historians, but they
would not ask the same questions as anthropologists have…
4) graffiti is often studied by art historians and communication scholars, but anthropologists
bring a unique perspective and insight by using their own methods and theories…
5) sports are usually examined by kinesiologists, sports journalists, & sometimes sociologists, BUT
asking anthropological questions gives us a different kind of insight…
SO, the purpose of your paper is to show what an anthropological approach to your potato has been.
What have anthropologists asked about this? How have they conducted the research and what do they
know about it (i.e., what patterns do they see, what insights have they gained, etc.).
Editing requires pushing at concepts to marry both CONTENT and CLARITY.
Example from John C. (Thanks, John!):
Even though anthropologists have barely begun to take the relationship between sport and
anthropology seriously, it is quickly becoming a serious subject matter for studying
cultures as a whole.
3
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
Explore Alternatives:
Although the study of sport in anthropology is not very old, it is rapidly becoming important to the
discipline. OR Although the study of sport in anthropology is fairly underdeveloped, it is rapidly
gaining in popularity and importance to the discipline. OR Despite being a relatively recent
development, the anthropology of sport is expanding rapidly and will undoubtedly become more
prominent. OR Once considered a frivolous topic for anthropological inquiry, the anthropology of sport
is fast becoming a respected and integral part of the discipline.
Quick Citation Guide for Anthropology Students
Don’t forget to use the American Anthropological Association (AAA) Citation Guide. It has been printed
and is in the front of your Notebook of Notes.
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are very serious issues at Saint Mary’s College. Any use of another
person’s words or ideas without proper citation is plagiarism. When you do not include a citation, you are
claiming the work as your own. Violations of this policy include paraphrasing from a source without citation,
copying from a website without citation, or reading another student’s draft to “get ideas.” If you have any doubt
about whether or not a passage calls for a citation, err on the side of over-citation! PLEASE use the citation style
demonstrated below in the text of your paper. Notice where the punctuation goes, etc. The basic format is as
follows:
Sentence content (Author’s-last-name copyright-date: page).
This is probably not the only citation style you will learn in college, but it is one that is commonly used in
anthropology articles. Most importantly, it is the one you are required to use for this class.
EXAMPLES:






In his book, The Chosen Primate, Adam Kuper says that "one of Darwin's decisive insights was that
selective pressures operate on individuals" (1994: 14).
The idea that "selective pressures operate on individuals" was a cornerstone of Darwinian thought
(Kuper 1994: 14).
There are many fine books discussing Darwinian thought (e.g., Kuper 1994).
[e.g. stands for
"example" and i.e. stands for “that is”]
Darwin understood the importance of the effect of selective pressure on the individual organism (Kuper
1994: 14).
In his book, The Chosen Primate, Adam Kuper discusses the impact of Darwinian thought on social theory
(1994).
Adam Kuper believes that Darwinian thought has had an impact on social theory (1994).
Excerpt from a student’s paper:
Christianity or Paganism at the Sutton Hoo Archaeological Site
At this point in time, Christianity was not well-established in East Anglia. Conforming to Christianity
was often defined partially by a bishop’s ministry, and most people were simply too far away from the cities,
where bishops were located, to receive ministry (Alcock 1971: 133). However, in Mound 1 there are examples of
Christian art, implying at the very least a trade connection with Christian areas, and at the most the burial of a
convert.
Much of the evidence for conversion stems from two spoons found on the western side of the burial near
Rib 15. These spoons, derived from examples from the late classical period, are of a type often sold at shrines
connected to the cult of the 12 apostles (Bruce-Mitford 1979: 102). This pair, however, suggests an allusion to
conversion, as the names “Saul” and “Paul” are inscribed on the handles. Bruce-Mitford suggests that “such pairs
were sometimes made as christening presents” (1979: 102). He also cites, however, Kaske, who claims that the
workmanship is shoddy on the lettering of one of the spoons – the sigma is really just a misoriented pi, the other
letters are off-kilter or in a different style (Kaske 1974: 28 in Bruce-Mitford 1979: 104). If we are to interpret the
4
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
spoons this way, they have less meaning as religious (and not necessarily liturgical) relics and become imported
spoons with no hints of conversion to them, and we could assume he was just buried with them to show his elite
status (i.e., he could afford foreign silver spoons, not just plain old wood ones).
Miscellaneous Citation Tips
 When in doubt, go ahead and cite it! Every academic paper should have both quotations (which get
cited, of course) and paraphrased citations.
 The first time you mention any text, cite it. (By the way, nothing we read in this class should be referred
to as a novel!)
 Citations are meant to provide a roadmap for anyone reading your work. They tell the reader where you
got the ideas/evidence for the argument you are making in the paper. Also, any sentence that does not
end in a citation is presumably your own idea (or facts that are commonly known), so you get credit for
original work… and of course, so does everybody else!
 References Cited (or Works Cited) lists are not the same thing as a Bibliography. Putting something on
the References Cited sheet means that you have cited it somewhere in the paper. If it has not been cited
and you put it on that list then you have violated the academic honor code. Bibliographies in
academia can include sources on the topic that might be interesting to the reader that were not
necessarily cited in the paper. You are making References Cited pages for this class.
 All academic authors have to deal with citations. There are different styles in different disciplines, but
the basic principles of when to cite or not, remain the same.

Please use block-quote style for any quotation that contains more than approximately forty-five words.
Block quotes are indented and single-spaced, but do not have quotation marks around them. This is also
the one case where the (Van Gilder 2012:3) citation does not go before the period, but after it.
 While I have your attention: please place the names of books and journals in italics and names of articles
or book chapters in quotation marks. Please italicize any foreign words, like in situ, or moai.
 Don’t forget to use the American Anthropological Association (AAA) Citation Guide. It has been
printed and is in the front of your Notebook of Notes.
The following steps are adapted from The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success
Weeks 1- 4 STEP One (Select a Topic) and STEP Two (Search the Literature)
Sample Literature Review: A Century of Feasting Studies
Step 1 Tasks: 1. Identify some personal interests
2. Refine a research interest from a personal interest
3. Use the research interest to indentify a preliminary research topic
4. Write a preliminary research topic statement
Step 2 Tasks: 1. Select the literature to review (Anthropology)
2. Conduct a literature search
3. Manage your data
4. Refine your topic (Work that potato!)
Weeks 5 – 6 STEP Two (see above) and STEP Three (Develop the Argument)
Step 3 Tasks: 1. Why is this topic important to anthropology?
2. How does the study of this topic fit into/inform the history of anthropological thought?
Weeks 7 – 9 STEP Four (Survey the Literature)
Step 4 Tasks: 1. Assemble the collected data
2. Organize the information
5
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
3. Analyze the patterns of the data (mapping and jellyfish)
Weeks 10 - 11 STEPS Four (see above) and Five (Critique the Literature)
Step 5 Tasks: 1. Making descriptive statements (basic literature review)
2. Finding the controversies/weaknesses in the literature
3. Making an argument about the literature (advanced literature review)
Weeks 12 – 15 STEP Six (Write the Review) Repeat STEPS 1-5 as necessary!
Step 6 Tasks: 1. Write to understand (outlining)
2. Exploratory writing/first draft
3. Write to be understood (self/peer editing)
4. Complete the review and produce references cited, etc.
Optional Additional Peer Review Session: Sunday XX from 1-3PM
Optional Additional Exam Review: Sunday XX from 3-4PM
Final Exam to be held on Wednesday XX from 11:30 to 1:30.
Final Paper (Literature Review) is due on Thursday XX at 12noon at 301 Garaventa and to
Turnitin.com by 4PM that afternoon. Research Journal and Notebook of Notes must be turned
in at the same time at Garaventa (not to Turnitin).
Sample assignment: Deconstructing an Existing Literature Review
Anth 100: Principles of Anthropology
Annual Review of Anthropology: “A Century of Feasting Studies”
What are two possible research INTERESTS that might have generated this literature review?
What is the TOPIC statement of this literature review? (Select a sentence from the article, or
write one of your own)
What is the major organizing PRINCIPLE of this article? What is/are the organizing SUBprinciple(s) of the article?
Write two discussion questions for this article:
1)
6
CCC – Writing in the Discipline – Van Gilder (Anthropology)
2)
Write the full citation in AAA style for:
a) a chapter in an edited volume cited by this article
b) a single author book
c) a journal article
d) a book by a structural-functionalist
e) an article that links feasting and storage in the archaeological record
7