1
ANTHRO 260
Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology and Linguistics
Mon, Wed 4:30 – 5:45 | 1114 Woods Hall | Fall 2015
Culture and social relations in a wide variety of settings from small-scale to complex societies. An overview of how
anthropology analyzes human behavior.
OBJECTIVES
1. Recognize, understand, and appreciate human diversity.
2. Develop an awareness of the issues of power and inequality both locally and globally.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the methods of ethnographic research.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of how anthropologists define culture.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the subfields within anthropology.
6. Critically evaluate popular representations of cultures and peoples around the world.
INSTRUCTOR
Stan Herman, Ph.D.
Office Hours: Wednesdays 6-7, or by appointment
1106 Woods Hall
thelogosguy@gmail.com
MATERIALS
Bring covered readings to lectures and sections. This is a requirement
Required Books
Kenneth J. Guest, “Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age”. W.W. Norton &
Company, Inc. 2014.
Available at Campus Bookstore
CANVAS Materials
You are responsible for 1) regularly checking in to CANVAS for readings and announcements;
2) printing out (or having an electronic copy) and bringing to class all online materials.
COURSE WORK
25% Midterm
25% ‘Journal’ Assignments
25% Research Paper
25% Final examination
Throughout the semester a series of short ‘journal assignments’ will be given to the class. These
assignments will be 1-3 pages typed and consist in serious scholarly reflection of the topic at
hand. However they are not intended as ‘research’ papers, and therefore do not require
bibliographies, etc. They are intended as a medium of reflection based upon the readings,
personal experience, and classroom discussions. These assignments must be completed by
individual students without collaboration. (The whole point is for you to work through them so
you learn, and can perform similar work on the exams).
One research paper will be due the last day of class. More details to follow.
HONOR CODE
1
Basic honesty is expected in ALL dealings with this class. The UMD Code of Student Conduct
can be found at <osc.umd.edu>.
2
By taking the class, you agree to follow the UMD Code of Student Conduct, and it will be
enforced.
You may not record lectures or share notes with anyone outside this class without permission.
DEVICE POLICIES
No cell phone use in this classroom – disable them. I don’t want to see them. If I see them, I
will do my best to embarrass you, or even kick you out depending on my mood
Laptops and tablets. I’m ambivalent: I’m a fan of them for work and access to class materials.
But I don’t permit websurfing in the class, or emailing or texting because it is distracting to me
and your classmates.
So, I will allow laptops, but if I hear any reports of surfing or emailing in the class, I will forbid
them in class.
Week
Dates
1
Topic
Course Intro
Discuss syllabus and course content. What is Anthropology? The Four-Field
approach? Globalization?
Reading: Chap 1
Culture
(NOTE – No class on Labor Day, Sept. 7)
Culture as life and concept. Its history in anthropology. The study of… Culture and
Power.
Readings: Chap. 2
CANVAS – “Body Ritual among the Nacirema”
Aug
31,
Sept. 2
2
Sept. 9
3
Sept.
14,
Sept.
16
Ethnography
Readings: Chap. 3
4
Sept.
21,
Sept.
23
Language
Readings: Chap. 4
5
Sept.
28,
Sept.
30
Human
Origins
Readings: Chap 5
6
2
Classwork, Readings & Assignments
Oct. 5,
Oct. 7
Race and
Ethnicity
Readings: Chap. 6 and 7
7
Oct.
12,
Oct.
14
Gender
Readings: Chap. 8
8
Oct.
19,
Sexuality
Readings: Chap. 9
MIDTERM EXAM
3
Oct.
21
9
Oct.
26,
Oct.
28
Religion
Readings: Chap. 15
10
Nov.
2,
Nov. 4
Kinship
Readings: Chap. 10
11
Nov.
9,
Nov.
11
Class
Readings: Chap. 11
12
Nov.
16,
Nov.
18
Power and
Politics
Readings: Chap. 14
13
Nov.
23
The Global
Economy
(NOTE: No class on Wednesday, Nov. 25)
Readings: Chap. 12
14
Nov.
30,
Dec. 2
Health
Readings. Chap 16
15
Dec.
7,
Dec. 9
STS and
Bioethics
Research Paper due.
*FINAL EXAM will be held during exams week (12/14-12/19). Stay tuned for more information.
3