METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
COURSE TITLE
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
COURSE PREFIX AND NO.
SOCI 1250
LEC
4.5
LAB
0
CREDIT HOURS
4.5
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to the study and methods of anthropology and the methodologies used to
study human societies and cultures. It covers ancient to present societies. Reading assessment and college-level
reading skills are recommended for success in this course.
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COURSE PREREQUISITES:
None.
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RATIONALE:
An understanding of the beginnings of society and culture, the progression in the development of human groups,
and the methods used to study that development will enable the student to better understand the world in which
he/she lives. Further, this understanding may enhance proficiency in one's chosen major program of study.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and/or MATERIALS:
Title:
Edition:
Author:
Publisher:
Classroom
Anthropology Explored
2004
Selig
Smithsonian Books
Classroom
Anthropology Unbound
2010
Durrenberger
Paradigm Publishers
Online
Anthropology – What Does It Mean To Be Human?
3rd edition 2015
Lavenda and Schultz
Oxford University Press
ISBN: 978-0-19-021084-7
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Attached course outline written by:
Gary Toth/ Jenni Fauchier
Reviewed/Revised by: Jenni Fauchier/ Gary Toth
Effective quarter of course outline:
Dean M. Jane Franklin
Date:
9/98
Date:
6/15/15
9/15/15
Date:
09/15
COURSE OBJECTIVES/TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES
TITLE:
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
PREFIX/NO.
SOCI 1250
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Describe the nature and scope of anthropology.
2.
Sketch an overview of the field of anthropology, its subfields, and how it is related to other disciplines such
as biology, psychology, and sociology.
3.
Assess the application of evolutionary theory to all forms of life, including human.
4.
Display an understanding of the nature, importance and variability of culture.
5.
Appraise the major anthropological explanations of cultural variability.
6.
Discuss the relationship between language and culture.
7.
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and research techniques.
8.
Construct a foundation of basic knowledge that may be used for further study in anthropology and/or
related social sciences.
9.
Examine the impact of technology on a society and indicate how that technology also changes the methods
used to study the society.
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TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE:
I.
Introduction to Anthropology
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
II.
Define anthropology
Scope of anthropology
Fields of anthropological study
Scientific method and anthropological techniques
Usefulness of anthropology
Human Evolution: Biological and Cultural
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Define evolutionary theory
Living primates
Primate evolution: from early primates to hominoids
Early hominoids and their cultures
Emergence of homo-sapiens and their cultures
Human variation
G.
H.
III.
Cultural Variation
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
IV.
Origins of food production and settled life
Origins of cities and states
The concept of culture
Language and culture
Food-getting and economic systems
Social stratification
Sex, culture, marriage, family, and kinship patterns
Political and group life
Religion and magic
Psychology and culture
The arts
The Study of Culture in the Modern World
A.
Culture and social changes
B.
Explaining and solving social problems
C.
Advancement in anthropological methods
D.
Technological advancements and social change
E.
Anthropology for the future
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TOPICAL UNIT OBJECTIVES
I.
Introduction to Anthropology
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
Define anthropology and distinguish it from other social sciences.
Distinguish the major subfields of anthropology.
Assess the usefulness of anthropology.
Review the steps in the scientific method and identify these steps in several examples of
anthropological research.
Human Evolution: Biological and Cultural
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Define evolution and analyze the theory of natural selection.
Explain how cultural evolution differs from biological evolution.
Describe the historical controversies related to evolutionary explanations of change.
List the traits that all primates share and compare and contrast these traits to distinctive human
traits.
Trace primate evolution from the emergence of primates, through hominoids, to early hominoids, to
homo-sapiens, and exemplify the cultures that emerged with them.
Analyze factors in human variation.
Explain the origins of food production and illustrate the consequences of increased production.
Review the origins of cities.
Compare and contrast the theories about the origin of the state.
III.
Cultural Variation
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
IV.
Explain the concept of culture.
Examine the relationship between language and culture.
Explain the relationship between food-getting, food-production and cultural economic
development.
Explain how cultural variations influence economic systems, social stratification, and political life.
Analyze the historical development of gender roles and cross-cultural variations in sexual behavior.
Explore the anthropological study and the importance of social institutions such as:
1.
marriage and the family
2.
education
3.
the polity
4.
religion
5.
the arts and leisure activities
Discuss the relationship between psychology and culture.
Culture and Anthropology in the Modern World
A.
Assess the theories of cultural change.
B.
Explain how anthropology could be applied to an understanding of modern social problems.
C.
Examine the types of culture change in the developed and developing worlds.
D.
Explore the impact of technology on human society and anthropological study.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
Students are required to successfully complete tests and out-of-class assignments as specified by the instructor in
the course syllabus. Evaluation will be based on written work, attendance, and appropriate class participation.
INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY—SOCI 1250
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Describe the nature and scope of anthropology.
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
Unit test AND class discussion, case study
and/or media example.
3.
Sketch on overview of the field of
anthropology, its subfields, and how it is
related to the other disciplines such as biology,
psychology, and sociology.
Unit test AND class discussion, paradigm
development, and/or abstract collage using
cultural artifacts from student's own life.
4.
Apply evolutionary theory to all forms of life,
including humans.
Unit test AND class discussion and/or position
paper.
5.
Display an understanding of the nature,
importance and variability of culture.
Unit test and class participation.
6.
Appraise the major anthropological
explanations of cultural variability.
Unit test AND class discussion, small group
discussion, and/or position paper.
7.
Discuss the relationship between language and
culture.
Unit test and class discussion.
8.
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific
method and research techniques.
Proposal for study of a cultural group, with
possible addition of class discussion, unit test,
and/or critique of existing study.
9.
Construct a foundation of basic knowledge that
may be used for further study in anthropology
and/or related social sciences.
Class participation and attendance.
10.
Examine the impact of technology on a society
and indicate how that technology also changes
the methods used to study the society.
Unit test AND case study analysis, class
discussion and/or position paper.