Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 102-01 Spring 2009
Course Title: Introduction to General Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3
Days and Times the course meets: Monday and Wednesday 12:30 PM–1:45 PM
Location and Classroom: ICB 1802
Introduction
Anthropology is the study of humankind, in all its facets. It is the only contemporary
discipline that approaches human questions from historical, biological, linguistic,
cultural/social, and applied anthropological perspectives. Each of these sub-disciplines
imparts invaluable core knowledge about human beings and their cultural and biological
diversity.
This introductory course surveys the four main subfields of anthropology: biological or
physical anthropology, archeological anthropology or archeology, linguistic anthropology
or linguistics, and cultural or socio-cultural anthropology. In addition, the course surveys
applied or practicing anthropology. Taking the field of anthropology as a whole or a
holistic field of study, and using past and present examples from around the world, this
course introduces the students to the key concepts, approaches, and methods that are
central to each of these various subfields. The course is designed primarily for the
students desiring a broad background in anthropology. However, the students whose
academic interests lie outside the discipline of anthropology can still take the course with
substantial gains.
Prerequisites
None
Instructor’s Information
Instructor’s Name: A. N. 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 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM or by appointment
Required Readings
Ember, Carol R. and Melvin Ember
2002 Anthropology: A Brief Introduction (5th Edition), Prentice Hall: New Jersey
1
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 (IAI) 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.
Course Objectives
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.
2. They will be able to integrate into their own world view a broader
understanding of fellow human beings by developing an appreciation for
human bio-cultural origin, evolution and diversity.
3. They will be familiar with a pool of key general anthropological concepts and
be able to apply them in the process of understanding human condition.
4. They will possess knowledge of the historical developments and
contemporary intellectual currents of general anthropology.
5. 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.
6. They will be motivated to pursue the goal of becoming competent generalists
(who are capable of dealing with all major subfields in anthropology) and
thereby becoming a para-professional labor force for the changing field of
anthropology worldwide.
Course Outline
Module 1: Introducing Anthropology: Holistic Approach and Five Main Subdisciplines
Module 2: Biological or Physical Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and
Methods
Module 3: Human Biology, Evolution, Biological Diversity, and Adaptation
Module 4: Primate Evolution, Emergence of Homo and Homo sapiens
Module 5: Archeological Anthropology or Archeology: Concepts, Approaches,
and Methods
Module 6: Studying Past: Origins of Food Production, State Formation, and Rise
of Civilization
Module 7: Linguistic Anthropology or Linguistics: Concepts, Approaches, and
Methods
Module 8: Sociolinguistics: Language, Society, and Culture
Module 9: Cultural Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
2
Module 10: Making a Living: Subsistence and Economy
Module 11: Cultural Construction of Identity: Kinship, Descent, and
Marriage
Module 12: Political Anthropology
Module 13: Globalization
Module 14: Applied or Practicing Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and
Methods
Method of Instruction
Course outline given here corresponds to the Content Modules or Units given in
Heartland Community College’s Anthropology 102 WebCT Course webpage. As you can
see, there are fourteen (14) content modules. The students are required to visit the
webpage regularly throughout the semester to browse the relevant unit(s), complete
the required on-line quizzes, and compose discussion postings after class sessions.
Since this is an introductory course using only supplemental level of on-line resources,
there will be a fair amount of in-class instruction. 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
the session. In addition to lecture and discussion, I will use question and answer format,
visual aids (e. g. PowerPoint presentations, ethnographic videos, and appropriate movie
clips).
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, and Grading System)
You will be evaluated using the following method:
Quizzes or Multiple-choice Questions: 2 points x 14 units = 28
Discussion Postings or Activities of the Units: 1 point x 14 units = 14
In-class Activities: 8 points
Mid-term Examination: 25 points
Final Examination: 25 points
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 2009 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
Extra credit works are allowed only under extreme situations.
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.
3
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.
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 if
you are absent.
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 1 (January 12 and 14)
Introduction and Perspective: Holistic Approach and Five Main Sub-disciplines
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 1
January 19 – MLK Holiday – College Closed
Week 2 (January 21)
Biological or Physical Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 1 (Pp. 4-6) and Chapter 2
Film: “Mysteries of Mankind”
Week 3 (January 26 and 28)
Human Biology, Evolution, Biological Diversity, and Adaptation
4
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 3 and 9.
Film: “Cracking the Code of Life” or “After Darwin”
Week 4 (February 2 and 4)
Primate Evolution: Emergence of Homo and Homo sapiens
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 5, 6, and 7
Week 5 (February 9 and 11)
Archeological Anthropology or Archeology: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 1 (Pp. 6-7), 2 and 7
Film: “Archeology: Evidence of the Past” or “Archeological Dating: Retracting Time”
Week 6 (February 16 and 18)
Studying Past: Origins of Food Production, State Formation, and Rise of
Civilizations
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 8
Week 7 (February 23 and 25)
Linguistic Anthropology or Linguistics: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 1 (Pp. 7-8) and 11
Week 8 (March 2 and 4)
March 2 – Mid-term Examination
March 4 - Socio-linguistics: Language, Society, and Culture
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 11
Film: “American Tongues”
March 9 – 14 Spring Break – No Classes
Week 10 (March 16 and 18)
Cultural or Socio-cultural Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
5
Required Reading:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 1 (Pp. 6-7) and Chapter 2 (Pp. 38-41)
Week 11 (March 23 and 25)
Making a Living: Subsistence and Economy
Required Reading:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 12 and 13
Film: “The Hunters” or “Nanook of the North”
Cultural Construction of Social Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 16 and 17
Film (clip): “Ju Dou” or “Red Sorghum”
Week 12 (April 30 and May 1)
Cultural Construction of Social Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 16 and 17
Film (clip): “Ju Dou” or “Red Sorghum”
Week 13 (April 6 and 8)
Political Anthropology
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 18
Week 14 (April 13 and 15)
Globalization
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapter 22
Week 15 (April 20 and 22)
Applied or Practicing Anthropology: Concepts, Approaches, and Methods
Required Readings:
Ember and Ember, Chapters 1 (Pp. 9-10), 20 and 21
Week 16 (April 27 and 29)
6
Review
May 4 or 8 - Final Examination (tentative)
7