Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 101 Spring 2008
Course Title: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and Times the course meets: MWF 12:00 PM–12:50 PM
Introduction
This 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. By attempting to make the diverse cultures of the world understandable it
seeks to make the strange familiar and the familiar strange. 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 while placing
anthropology in the history of Euro-American social thought.
Catalog Description
The study of human beings, from their common origins as hominids to their vast capacity
for cultural diversity, stressing the culturally conditioned behaviors that are unique to
their adaptive mechanisms. Use of the comparative method to reveal the deep underlying
cultural universals, while observing the many diverse ways of implementing these
universals in different societies, both ancient and modern. Prerequisite(s): None
Instructor Information
Instructor Name Dr. A. N. Ariyaratne
Phone number to contact instructor (309) 268-8595
Instructor’s e-mail address: Ari.Ariyaratne@heartland.edu
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: Monday 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM and
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
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 tool 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. Since this is an introductory course, there will be a fair
amount of lecture; however, class sessions will be structured to include more discussion
and student engagement in active learning.
Instructor’s Role The student-centered approach is central to my teaching
philosophy. My teaching experience makes me convince that the “hands-on” course
approach is often more productive than the traditional lecture method of teaching.
Therefore, in addition to lecture, I will give every possible opportunity for discussion and
participation. Moreover, moving beyond traditionally conceived categories of the subject,
in this introductory course, I will attempt to give a glimpse of emerging new theoretical
frameworks, methodological transformations, and ongoing intellectual dialogues within
cultural anthropology.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes)
At the completion of this course, the students will be able to accomplish the following
objectives:
1.
By using the type of holistic knowledge which an anthropological
perspective brings, the students will be able to view human questions in a
broader context when comprehending their interconnections and
interdependence. Thus they will be able to see social and cultural relations
in global contexts.
2.
They will be able to integrate into their own world view a broader
understanding of human culture by developing an appreciation for the vast
amount of cultural diversity.
3.
They will be familiar with a pool of key anthropological concepts and be
able to apply them in the process of understanding human condition.
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4.
5.
They will possess knowledge of the historical developments and
contemporary intellectual currents of cultural anthropology.
Given the variety of human experiences that the students are exposed to in
this course, they will be able to reflect upon their own interests, talents,
and goals thus better enabling them to choose appropriate specialized
learning environments.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Introduction and Perspective: Why Study Anthropology?
Unit 2: And, how? Ethnography and Fieldwork
Unit 3: Concept of Culture
Unit 4: Culture and Communication: What is the Significance of Language?
Unit 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Unit 6: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and their Social Relations
Unit 7: Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
Unit 8: Cultural Construction of Identity
Unit 9: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy: Ethnicity, Race, Class, and
Gender
Unit 10: Political Anthropology
Unit 11: World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Systems in Global Context
Unit 12: Modernity, Postmodern Critique, and Globalization
Class Presentations on Ethnographic Project
Course Outline given here corresponds to the Content Modules or Units given in
Heartland Community College’s Anthropology 101 WebCT Course webpage. The
students are strongly advised to visit the webpage regularly throughout the semester
to browse the relevant content module(s) or unit(s), and to participate in discussion(s),
quizzes and other activities. These discussions and quizzes do not bring you extra credit.
They are basically to initiate an intellectual dialogue (relevant to the themes and topics at
hand) between you, your peers, and the instructor. However, your participation in these
activities will be taken into account by the instructor when evaluating your performance
in this course.
HCC Portal
Just a reminder that to access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will
need to log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu .
Method of Instruction
Since this is an introductory course, there will be a fair amount of lecture. However,
efforts will be made to encourage students to raise relevant questions and to initiate class
discussion. Discussion will be interspersed throughout sessions rather than, as it is
typically done, merely at the end of a session. In addition to lecture and discussion, I will
use question and answer format, and visual aids (e. g., PowerPoint Presentations,
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ethnographic videos, movie clips). When appropriate, I will also distribute supplementary
reading materials.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System)
You will be evaluated by one project of ethnography (20%), and four in-class exams.
Each of these examinations constitutes 20% of your total grade. Alternatively put, the
four in-class examinations together constitute 80% of your total grade (20% X 4 = 80%).
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 2008 HCC Catalog.
More information on the ethnographic project will be given in class.
Attendance/Participation
1. Regular attendance and class participation are vital to ensure a good grade, and it
is your responsibility to be here in both body and mind.
2. You are responsible for all materials presented and discussed in class even if
you are absent. The instructor will not provide notes for students who have
missed class.
3. Attendance will be taken regularly in class. No penalties will be given for students
who miss up to 4 class sessions this semester. Students who miss between 5 and 8
sessions will be docked 5 points or one half of a letter grade. Students who miss
between 9 and 11 sessions will be docked 15 points of the total points. Typically
this will mean that the course will have to be repeated.
Incompletes
Incompletes are allowed only under the most extreme situations. Students wishing to earn
an incomplete grade should see the instructor.
Extra Credit
None
Make-up tests and assignments
Students may make up exams ONLY under the following conditions:
1. The student informs the instructor that s/he will miss an exam BEFORE exam
day begins.
2. The instructor decides if the reason/excuse WARRENTS a make up exam.
There are no make-ups for work done in class.
Student Evaluations
In the last 3-4 weeks of class, all students are expected to complete a course evaluation
form online, at www.studentevals.com/heartland . More information about evaluations
will be provided in class.
Student Conduct/Class Rules
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1. Turn off all cell phones and pagers before class starts.
2. Do not interrupt other students while they are making a point or asking a
question.
3. Do not attempt to carry on a conversation with another student while in class.
4. Be on time for class and stay the whole period. If you need to come late or
leave early please let the instructor know ahead of time.
Syllabi disclaimer
The instructor reserves the right to make alterations to this syllabus as necessary.
Course Calendar
Week 1 (January 14, 16, 18)
Introduction and Perspectives
Week 2 (January 23, 25)
Ethnography and Fieldwork
Week 3 (January 28, 30, February 1)
Ethnography and Fieldwork
Concept of Culture
Week 4 (February 4, 6, 8)
Concept of Culture
Examination – 1 (Time: 50 min.)
Week 5 (February 11, 13, 15)
Culture and Communication
Week 6 (February 18, 20, 22)
Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Week 7 (February 25, 27, 29)
Adaptive Strategies
Examination -2 (Time: 50 min.)
Week 8 (March 3, 5, 7)
Economic Anthropology
March 10-14 - Spring Break
Week 9 (March 17, 19, 21)
Cultural Construction of Identity
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Week 10 (March 24, 26, 28)
Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Week 11 (March 31, April 2, 4)
Culture and Religion
Week 12 (April 7, 9, 11)
Political Anthropology
Examination – 3 (Time: 50 min.)
Week 13 (April 14, 16, 18)
World System and World System Theory
Week 14 (April 21, 23, 25)
Modernity and Postmodern Critique
Week 15 (April 28, 30, May 2)
Globalization and Globalization Theory
Week 16 (May 5, 7)
Class Presentations on Ethnographic Project
May 12 – (Final) Examination - 4 (Time: 1 Hour)
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