Heartland Community College
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Course Syllabus Fall 2013
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 101-91 ONLINE
Course Title: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3.0 hrs.
Days and Times the course meets: flexible
Location and Classroom: virtual world
Catalog Description
This course provides an introduction to human culture encompassing social organization, the
arts, technology, economics, religion, language, family, and identity, as well as the effects of
globalization. Drawing on examples from around the world and close to home, students will
explore the broad variation of cultural expression, as well as the common characteristics shared
by all.
As a course taught fully online, ANTH 101-91 contains the following online features: class
notes, power points, reading assignments, quizzes, discussion board, journal, streaming movie
clips, and videos. Prerequisite(s): None
Instructor Information
Name: Ari Ariyaratne, Ph. D.
Phone number: (309) 268-8595
E-mail address: Ari.Ariyaratne@heartland.edu
Office hours: by appointment
Textbook: None
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 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.
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Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transferability:
ANTH 101 fulfills 3 of the semester hours of credit in Social and Behavioral 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 for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following objectives:
Outcomes
General
Range of Assessment
Education Methods
Outcomes
Practice doing anthropology through participantobservation and other exercises: Summarize findings
and elicit conclusion clearly and effectively through
oral, written, and/or visual forms.
Develop a broader understanding of fellow human
beings and an appreciation of cultural and social
diversity.
Define central concepts of cultural anthropology and
apply them to everyday life and broader world
issues.
Identify, discuss, and compare various cultural
beliefs and behavior using relevant ethnographic
examples.
Describe and discuss the process of enculturation
and ethnocentrism in group formation and social
behavior
CO1
CO2
DI2
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams, Projects,
Presentations, Discussions.
DI1
DI5
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.
Utilize the holistic and comparative perspectives of
cultural anthropology to consider basic human
questions and important world issues in the broadest
possible context
Reflect upon and re-examine the formation of their
own interests, talents, goals, and beliefs in light of
the insights gained form the study of other cultural
beliefs and practices.
DI4
PS3
CT1
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams, Projects,
Presentations, Discussions
DI1
DI2
DI3
DI4
CT4
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams, Projects,
Presentations, Discussions.
CT1
CT2
CT1
CT2
CO3
CO1
CO3
CT1
PS2
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Course/Lab Outline:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
Cultural Anthropology: Introduction and Perspective
Ethnography and Fieldwork
Introducing the Concept of Culture and Theorizing Culture
Culture and Communication
Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations (Continuation)
Culture and Religion
Cultural Construction of Identity
Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Anthropology of Art
Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization
Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization (Continuation)
Method of Instruction
ANTH 101-91 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 has three links: “Announcements,” “Course Syllabus,” and “Course Calendar.”
The Announcements link will help you to find the instructor’s class-related announcements. The
Course Calendar link will help you to find the important dates and deadlines in relation to your
course activities. The Course Syllabus link 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 four links: “Course Content,” “Assessments,” “Discussion Board,” and
“Journal.” 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 fifteen (15) 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, discussion assignment, and journal.
Each week, the relevant content module 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 visual highlights,
complete discussion board and journal, and take quizzes.
The fifteenth content module has only one item. It is the question for FINAL REFLEXIVE
ESSAY which has to be completed and posted on JOURNAL 15 during 8:00am, November
30 – 11:00pm, December 13.
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“Assessments” link will direct you to the weekly online quizzes. They are designed for one
attempt only. Each week, the relevant online quiz will open by Monday at 8:00 a.m. and will
remain open until 11:00 pm, Sunday.
“Discussion Board” and “Journal” links will take you to the relevant venues every week. They
have to be completed no later than Sunday at 11:00 pm, every week.
The third block has the links for “Messages,” “Technical Support,” and “My Grades.”
The fourth block contains the link for “Professor’s Profile.” You will find your instructor’s biodata and contact information by following this link.
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.
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. However, there is a final
reflexive essay that has to be completed and submitted online.
Method of Evaluation (Grading System):
Letter grades will be based on the percentage of points earned in the course in accordance with
the following scale:
ABCDF-
90-100%
80- 89%
70- 79%
60- 69%
59- 0%
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You will be evaluated using the following method:
Quizzes or Multiple-choice Questions: 2.50 points x 14 modules = 35.00
Discussion Board: 2.00 points x 14 modules = 28.00
Journal: 2.00 points x 14 modules = 28.00
Journal for Final Reflexive Essay = 9.00
Total Number of Points Available = 100.00
For discussion board, points are given according to laid out expectations:
2.00 = High level of critical thinking and high proficiency in writing
1.75 = High level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1.50 = Moderate level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1.00 = Low level of critical thinking and low proficiency in writing
0.00 = Student did not attempt the assignment
For journal, points are given according to laid out expectations:
2.00 = High level of critical thinking and high proficiency in writing
1.75 = High level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1.50 = Moderate level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1.00 = Low level of critical thinking and low proficiency in writing
0.00 = 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 2013
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 (August 14 – Module 1 will be made available)
Module 1: Cultural Anthropology: Introduction and Perspective
Week 2 (August 26)
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Module 2: Ethnography and Fieldwork
Week 3 (September 2)
Module 3: Introducing the Concept of Culture and Theorizing Culture
Week 4 (September 9)
Module 4: Culture and Communication
Week 5 (September 16)
Module 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Week 6 (September 23)
Module 6: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Week 7 (September 30)
Module 7: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
(continuation)
Week 8 (October 7)
Module 8: Cultural Construction of Identity
MIDTERM EVALUATIONS
Week 9 (October 14)
Module 9: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Week 10 - (October 21)
Module 10: Anthropology of Religion
Week 11 (October 28)
Module 11: Anthropology of Art
Week 12 (November 4)
Module12: Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization
Week 13 (November 11)
Module 13: Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization (Continuation)
Week 14 (November 18)
Module 14: Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization (Continuation)
Week 15 - THANKSGIVING BREAK – NOVEMBER 27 – 29
No Module Due
Week 16 - FINAL REFLEXIVE ESSAY (November 30)
Module 15: (Contains the question for JOURNAL 15 only)
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Week 17: FINAL REFLEXIVE ESSAY must be submitted by DECEMBER 13
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