Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 101-92 ONLINE SPRING 2012
Course Title: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3.0 hrs
Days and Times the course meets: flexible
Location and Classroom: virtual world
Introduction
This online 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. 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.
Catalog Description
This course furnishes a thorough introduction to the concepts, approaches, and methods
of Cultural Anthropology, one of the four main sub-disciplines of General Anthropology.
With an emphasis on the holistic and comparative nature of the cultural anthropological
approach, and using contemporary and recent ethnographic examples from around the
world, the course provides an awareness of the wide spectrum of cultural and social
variation, while at the same time stressing those characteristics that are shared by all
human beings. The class includes on-line content module reviews and class notes, on-line
reading assignments and PowerPoint presentations, on-line quizzes and discussion
assignments, and streaming movie clips and videos.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Instructor Information
Instructor’s Name: Ari Ariyaratne, Ph. D.
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 268-8595
Instructor’s e-mail address: Ari.Ariyaratne@heartland.edu
Instructor’s office hours: Monday 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM or by appointment
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 tools ethnology, ethno history,
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’s 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.
Moreover, moving beyond traditionally conceived categories of the subject, in
this introductory course, I will attempt to give a glimpse of the emerging new theoretical
frameworks, methodological transformations, and intellectual currents within the field of
cultural anthropology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Outcomes
General
Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment Methods
Reflect upon the formation
of their interests, talents,
and goals within their
human experiences in order
to choose appropriate
learning environments.
Observe cultural
interactions and conduct
ethnographic interviews in a
culturally sensitive and
technically sound way, and
summarize findings and
elicit conclusions clearly
and effectively in oral,
written, and/or visual forms.
Develop a broader
understanding of fellow
human beings and an
appreciation of human biocultural origin, evolution,
and cultural and social
diversity.
Define central concepts of
cultural anthropology and
apply them to everyday life
in the process of
understanding human
condition and addressing
human predicaments.
Identify, discuss, and
compare, using relevant
ethnographic examples,
cultural beliefs and behavior
related to all facets of
human life.
DI3
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
PS3
CO1
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
CO2
DI2
DI1
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
DI5
CT1
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
CT2
CT1
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
CT2
CO3
Describe and discuss the
process of enculturation and
identify the intermingling
roles of hereditary and
cultural influences on
human behavior.
CO1
CO3
CT1
PS2
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
In light of the insights
gained from the holistic and
comparative perspectives of
cultural anthropology, view
human questions in the
broadest possible context in
order to comprehend their
interconnections and
interdependence.
Reflect upon and reexamine the formation of
one’s own taken-for-granted
way of believing and
behaving in light of the
insights gained form the
study of other cultural
beliefs and practices.
DI4
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions
PS3
CT1
DI1
Writing Assignments, Quizzes,
Exams, Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
DI2
DI3
DI4
CT4
Course Outline
Module 1: Why Study Cultural Anthropology? Introduction and Perspective
Module 2: And How? Ethnography and Fieldwork
Module 3: Concept of Culture
Module 4: Culture and Communication: What is the Significance of Language?
Modules 5 and 6: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Modules 7 and 8: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social
Relations
Module 9: Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
Module 10: Cultural Construction of Identity
Module 11: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Module 12: Political Anthropology
Module 13: World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Systems in Global Context
Module 14: Modernity, Post modern Critique, and Globalization
Method of Instruction
This online course of anthropology 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 is titled as “Course Information.” Click on that, and it 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 three links: “Course Content,” “Course Calendar,” and
“Announcements.” 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 fourteen (14) 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 and discussion assignments. 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 movie clips, participate in discussion through posting
comments, and complete quizzes and other class assignments.
The Course Calendar link will help you to find the important dates and deadlines in
relation to your course activities. The Announcements link will help you to find the
instructor’s class-related announcements.
The third block should be the tools you need to “do” the homework. You will find
“Assessments,” “Discussion Board,” “Journal,” “Email,” “Messages,” and “My Grades”
links there.
The fourth block should be “Professor’s Profile.” You will find your instructor’s bio-data
and contact information there.
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.
The weekly online quizzes 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 have to be completed no later than Sunday at 11:00 pm,
every week.
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.
Method of Evaluation (Grading System)
You will be evaluated using the following method:
Quizzes or Multiple-choice Questions: 2.50 points x 14 modules = 35.00
Discussion Board: 2.50 point x 14 units = 35.00
Journal: 2.00 points x 14 units = 28.00
Class Participation = 2.00
For discussion board, points are given according to laid out expectations:
2.50 = High level of critical thinking and high proficiency in writing
2.25 = High level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
2.00 = Moderate level of critical thinking and moderate proficiency in writing
1.50 = 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 2012 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 (January 17)
Module 1: Why Study Cultural Anthropology? Introduction and Perspective
Week 2 (January 23)
Module 2: And How? Ethnography and Fieldwork
Week 3 (January 30)
Module 3: Concept of Culture
Week 4 (February 6)
Module 4: Culture and Communication: What is the Significance of Language?
Week 5 (February 13)
Module 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Week 6 (February 20)
Module 6: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage (Continuation)
Week 7 (February 27)
Module 7: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Week 8 (March 5)
Module 8: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
(Continuation)
MIDTERM EVALUATIONS
March 12-16 – SPRING BREAK – COLLEGE CLOSED
Week 9 (March 19)
Module 9: Cultural Construction of Identity
Week 10 - (March 26)
Module 10: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Week 11 (April 2)
Module 11: Culture and Religion: What does Religion do for, and to us?
Week 12 (April 9)
Module12: Political Anthropology
Week 13 (April 16)
Module 13: World System: Viewing Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic
Systems in Global Context
Week 14 and 15 (April 23 and 30)
Module 14: Modernity, Postmodern Critique, and Globalization
FINAL EVALUATIONS BEGINS (May 11)