Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 101 Spring 2007
Course Title: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Monday 6:00 PM–8:50 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) 268-7991
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: Haviland, William et al., 2005, Cultural Anthropology: the Human
Challenge, 11th edition, Belmont, CA: Thompson Learning, Inc.
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. It is the
only contemporary discipline that approaches human questions from historical,
biological, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. Each of these sub-disciplines impart
invaluable core knowledge about human beings and her/his cultural and biological
diversity.
Cultural anthropology, by employing its analytical tool ethnography, explores the
variety of human beliefs and behavior while making sense of the meanings that people
from different societies ascribe to their experience. I encourage students to take
advantage of their ingrown knowledge of culture and society and translate it into this
course.
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.
4.
5.
They will be familiar with a pool of key anthropological concepts and be
able to apply them in the process of understanding human condition.
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/Lab Outline:
I. Introduction and Perspective: Why Study Anthropology?
II. And, how?: Ethnography and Fieldwork
III. Concept of Culture
IV. Communication and Culture: What is the Significance of Language?
V. Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
VI. Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and their Social Relations
VII. Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
VIII. Cultural Construction of Identity
XI. Social Construction of Hierarchy: Ethnicity, Race, Class, and Gender
XI. Political Anthropology
XII World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic Systems in
Global Context
XII. Modernity, Globalization, and Postmodern Social Theory
XIII. Review and Class Presentations on Ethnographic Project
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., ethnographic videos). When
appropriate, I will also distribute supplementary reading materials.
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
You will be evaluated by quiz (10%), one project of ethnography (20%), and two in-class
exams (i. e., a mid-term [30%] and final [40%], for a total of 70% of your grade).
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 2007 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 2 class sessions this semester. Students who miss 3 sessions will
be docked 5 points or one half of a letter grade. Students who miss between 4 and
5 sessions will be docked 15 points of the total points. Typically this will mean
that the course will have to be repeated.
Incompletes: 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.
3. If student is allowed to take a make up exam it will be in the testing center.
There are no make-ups for work done in class.
Student Conduct/Class Rules:
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
Topic
Readings
1 (January 22)
Introduction and Perspective
Syllabus, Chapter 1
2 (January 29)
Ethnography and Fieldwork
Chapter 1 and
Chapter 2 (specially,
Pp. 40-46)
3 (February 5)
Concept of Culture
Chapter 2 (read the
entire chapter), and 3
(browse)
4 (February 12)
Communication and Culture
5 (February 19)
Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Chapters 8, 9, 10
February 19 - Distribution of Quiz
6 (February 26)
Adaptive Strategies Chapters 6, 7
February 26 - Quiz due
7
March 5 – Midterm Examination (in class)
8
March 12-17 - Spring Break
9 (March 19)
Cultural Construction of Identity
Chapter 5
10 (March 26)
Social Construction of Hierarchy
Chapter 3 (Pp. 80-84),
Chapter 11
11 (April 2)
Culture and Religion
Chapter 13
12 (April 9)
Political Anthropology
Chapter 12
13 (April 16)
Modernity, Globalization, and Postmodernism
Chapters 15, 16
14
15
Chapter 4
(April 23) Class Presentations on Ethnographic Project
May 7 – Final Examination (tentative)