Heartland Community College
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Course Syllabus Fall 2014
Course Prefix and Number: ANTH 101-01HY
Course Title: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Credit Hours: 3.0 hrs
Class Meeting: 2:00PM – 3:15PM Monday
Location and Classroom: ICN 2102
Catalogue Description:
This course provides an introduction to human culture encompassing social organization,
the arts, technology, economics, religion, language, family, and identity, as well as the
effects of globalization. Drawing on examples from around the world and close to home,
students will explore the broad variation of cultural expression, as well as the common
characteristics shared by all. (Prerequisite(s): None)
In addition to traditional classroom techniques used in weekly class meetings (lecture and
discussion, question-and-answer, and group-based active learning), ANTH 101-01HY
contains the following online features: class notes, power points, and reading
assignments, quizzes, discussion board, streaming films, and videos.
Instructor Information:
Name: Ari Ariyaratne, Ph. D.
Phone number: (309) 268-8595
E-mail address: Ari.Ariyaratne@heartland.edu
Office hours: by appointment
Textbook: None
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transferability:
ANTH 101 fulfills 3 of the semester hours of credit in Social and Behavioral 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 for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
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 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 course is designed prioritizing student engagement
in active learning.
Instructor Role: The student-centered approach is central to my teaching
philosophy. ANTH 101-01HY 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 theoretical and
methodological currents within the field of cultural anthropology.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to accomplish the following
objectives:
Course Outcomes
Essential
Range of Assessment
Competencies Methods
Practice doing anthropology through
participant-observation and other exercises:
Summarize findings and elicit conclusion
clearly and effectively through oral, written,
and/or visual forms.
Develop a broader understanding of fellow
human beings and an appreciation of
cultural and social diversity.
CO1
CO2
DI2
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
DI1
DI5
Define central concepts of cultural
anthropology and apply them to everyday
life and broader world issues.
CT1
CT2
Identify, discuss, and compare various
cultural beliefs and behavior using relevant
ethnographic examples.
CT1
CT2
CO3
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Describe and discuss the process of
enculturation and ethnocentrism in group
formation and social behavior
CO1
CO3
CT1
PS2
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Utilize the holistic and comparative
perspectives of cultural anthropology to
consider basic human questions and
important world issues in the broadest
possible context
Reflect upon and re-examine the formation
of their own interests, talents, goals, and
beliefs in light of the insights gained form
the study of other cultural beliefs and
practices.
DI4
PS3
CT1
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions
DI1
DI2
DI3
DI4
CT4
Writing Assignments,
Quizzes, Exams,
Projects, Presentations,
Discussions.
Course/Lab Outline:
I. Cultural Anthropology: Introduction and Perspective
II. Ethnography and Fieldwork
III Introducing the Concept of Culture and Theorizing Culture
IV. Culture and Communication
V. Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
VI. Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
VII. Culture and Religion
VIII. Cultural Construction of Identity
IX. Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
X. Anthropology of Art
XI. Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization
Method of Evaluation (Grading System):
Letter grades will be based on the percentage of points earned in the course in accordance
with the following scale:
ABCDF-
90-100%
80- 89%
70- 79%
60- 69%
59- 0%
You will be evaluated using the following method:
Quizzes or Multiple-choice Questions: 2 points x 14 modules = 28
Discussion Postings: 1 point x 14 modules = 14
Midterm: 25
Final: 25
Participation: 8
Total Number of Points Available: 100
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 2014 HCC Catalog.
Method of Instruction:
ANTH 101-01 is designed by using the online software package in Blackboard 9.0 and
by blending online learning features with traditional in class learning activities. 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 contains three links: “Announcements,” “Course Syllabus,” and “Course
Calendar.” The Announcements link will help you to find the instructor’s class-related
announcements. The Course Syllabus will take you to the document you are reading right
now; it will give you a fairly good idea on course requirements, expectations, course
work, method of course instructions, and evaluation. The Course Calendar link will help
you to find the important dates and deadlines in relation to your course activities.
The second block has three links: “Course Content,” “Assessments,” and “Discussion
Board.” The Course Content link will lead you to the content modules of the course; 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.
The Assessments link will take you to the online quiz every week. The Discussion Board
link will guide you to Discussion Board venue so you can post your weekly written
assignment on this venue.
Each week, the relevant content module will be made available for the students by
Sunday 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 visual
highlights, post on discussion board, and complete online quizzes.
In the third block, please find the following links: “Messages,” “Technical Support,” and
“My Grades.”
The fourth block is for “Professor’s Profile.” You can find your instructor’s bio-data and
contact information via this link.
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. It is titled as “What should I do BEFORE class.” 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 is titled as “What will I learn DURING class?” and it will give you an
idea of the themes/topics which are to be discussed during the first class meeting.
The third item in Module one is “What should I do AFTER class?” Under this item, you
will find information on Weekly Thinking Assignments of Quiz 1, and Discussion Board
1, the assignments you have to complete within the first week. In order to take the quiz,
simply click on “assessments” in the left hand navigation column. Similarly, to complete
Discussion Board, click on “Discussion Board.”
The third item in the Module is titled as “What can I LEARN MORE in this regard?”
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 08:00 a.m. and will remain open until 11:00 pm of
Sunday.
Discussion Board has to be completed no later than Sunday at 11:00 pm, every week.
In order to get the best results from this course, it is prudent to follow the instructions
given in the relevant content modules in their chronological order. Regular class
attendance and participation are equally important.
Midterm Withdrawal Policy:
Students are expected to attend all classes and meaningfully participate each day. Any
student who does not make reasonable attempts to successfully complete all course
activities (exams, discussion board, quizzes, etc.), may be withdrawn from the course at
midterm.
However, if any of the following situations apply, the student will be automatically
withdrawn by the end of week 8:
 was absent for any 2 consecutive weeks without appropriate notice
 has more than 4 unexcused absences
 Did not complete at least 60% of assignments
Incompletes:
Incompletes are allowed only under the most extreme situations. Students wishing to earn
an incomplete grade should see the instructor.
Extra Credit: None.
Deadlines/Late Work
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.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community
College and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs.
Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their
academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views
any act of academic dishonest as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures,
including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition,
an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially
imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or
suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of
data, falsification of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to
computerized academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of these
violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a
paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all
the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own.
Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
 Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
 Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
 Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
 Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
 Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as
if it were your own.
 Using another person’s project or another person’s work as if it were your
own.
[Adapted from the Modem Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers. 7th ed. New York: MLA, 2009:51-61]
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for
plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in
the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
Many plagiarism problems can be remedied by citing the sources of the original work.
When in doubt, cite the source according to the style your instructor directs. Usually this
is APA or MLA Style. Don’t be daunted by citing sources which are not books. You can
cite everything, including pamphlets, maps, cereal boxes, telephone conversations,
movies, television shows, Internet and world-wide web sites.
General Information for Students:
Testing Services (located in Student Commons Building 2001):
Testing Services provides a secure testing environment for students who are enrolled in
online, hybrid, and other distance learning courses; have a documented disability; or need
to take a make-up exam. Testing accommodations for students having documented
disabilities must be arranged by the student through Disability Support Services. Testing
Services will only administer exams at the request of the instructor. For more
information, please call (309) 268-8050.
Counseling Services:
Counseling Services provides confidential and professional counseling for both
emergency and personal issues. Services also include referrals to local community
resources and support for students on academic probation. For more information, please
call (309) 268-8318.
Services in Academic Support Center (Raab Road campus):
Library:
The Library provides fast and free access to credible information from a full range of
resources including books, online journals, videos, newspapers, online music, class
reserves, and interlibrary loan. Individualize research by appointment or come in
anytime. See the Library tab in myHeartland, email library@heartland.edu or call (309)
268-8292 for details.
Tutoring Services:
Tutoring Services provides tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students in
Normal, Pontiac, and Lincoln. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the
week. Study groups are also available by request. For more information about services
available at each location, please call (309) 268-8231 (Normal), (815) 842-6777
(Pontiac), or (217) 735-1731 (Lincoln).
Disability Support Services:
Disability Support Services (DSS) ensures that students with disabilities have equal
access to the college’s programs, services and activities through the provision of
reasonable accommodations as mandated in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the
Americans with Disabilities Act. DSS offers a wide range of services to support students
with disabilities, including: assistive technology, document conversion services,
personnel, classroom and testing accommodations. Students with a documented disability
who wish to discuss academic accommodations should call (309) 268-8259 for details.
Open Computing Lab:
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times
throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers
the use of approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric
typewriter.
Writing Lab:
The Writing Lab provides guidance for writers on assignment comprehension, critical
thinking and the stages of the writing process. The Writing Lab is staffed by English
faculty and Tutors with years of experience working with students on writing. In every
session, supportive staff work with writers to explore and develop their own ideas as
appropriate to the needs of their readers and to learn the rhetorical strategies necessary for
effective communication. For more information, please call (309) 268-8231.
Services in Community Commons Building, first floor (Raab Road campus):
Academic Advising:
Academic advisors help students develop a plan of study, review degree/program
requirements, discuss transferability of courses, and provide career exploration support.
For more information, please call (309) 268-8033. Academic Advising services are also
available at the Lincoln and Pontiac sites.
Career Services:
Career Services assist students to determine career goals, develop employability and job
search skills and connect with potential employers in preparation for employment and
career transitions. Through the Online Career Center at
www.collegecentral.com/heartland students can learn about area employment
opportunities, prepare and post resumes and find a host of free career-related
resources. The job shadow and internship programs offer access to relevant work-based
learning opportunities that enhance academic experiences and support students in their
career pursuits. For more information, please call (309) 268-8034 or email
Career.Services@heartland.edu.
Financial Aid Office:
The Financial Aid Office provides information on programs and types of financial aid
available to students. For more information, please call (309) 268-8020.
Transcripts (Located in Student Commons Building 1000):
Official and unofficial transcripts may be obtained in the Student Records
Office. Transcripts may also be obtained at Heartland’s Lincoln and Pontiac
sites. Official transcripts must be requested in writing. The form is available online
(http://www.heartland.edu/transcripts/index.jsp) or in the Student Records
Office. Unofficial transcripts are available to print online through IRIS.
Syllabi disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to make alterations to this syllabus as necessary.
Course Calendar:
Week 1 – August 14 (Class Meeting on August 19)
Module 1: Cultural Anthropology: Introduction and Perspective
Week 2 – August 25 (Class Meeting on August 26)
Module 2: Ethnography and Fieldwork
Week 3 – September 1 (Class Meeting on September 2)
Module 3: Concept of Culture, and Theorizing Culture: Growth of Anthropological
Theory
Week 4 – September 8 (Class Meeting on September 9)
Module 4 – Culture and Communication
Week 5 – September 15 (Class Meeting on September 16)
Module 5: Society and Identity: Kinship, Descent, and Marriage
Week 6 – September 22 (Class Meeting on September 23)
Module 6: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
Week 7 – September 29 (Class Meeting on September 30)
Module 7: Adaptive Strategies: Material Processes and Their Social Relations
(Continuation)
Week 8-- October 6
October 7 - MIDTERM EXAMINATION (IN CLASS)
No Module Due
Week 9 – October 13 (Class Meeting on October 14)
Module 8: Cultural Construction of Identity
Week 10 – October 20 (Class Meeting on October 21)
Module 9: Cultural Construction of Social Hierarchy
Week 11 – October 27 (Class Meeting on October 28)
Module 10: Anthropology of Religion
Week 12 – November 3 (Class Meeting on November 4)
Module 11: Anthropology of Art
Week 13 – November 10 (Class Meeting on November 11)
Module 12: Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization
Week 14 – November 17 (Class Meeting on November 18)
Module 14: Political Anthropology: World System and Globalization
Week 15 - THANKSGIVING BREAK (NOVEMBER 27 – 29) (Class Meeting on
November 25)
Review Before Final
Week 16 – (Class Meeting on December 2)
Review Before Final (Continuation)
Week 17 - DECEMBER 9 – FINAL EXAMINATION (IN CLASS)