UMBC @ SHADY GROVE
Department of Social Science and Urban Studies
AN 211 – CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Classroom location & Time: III 2206
9:30-10:45 am
Section 8620
PROFESSOR:
K. Nyerere Ture'
Office phone: (301) 256 5280; Office
Office hours: by appointment.
E-mail: kt7219a@american.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Anthropology is concerned with the diversity of human existence and human practice.
By attempting to understand the ways of others, we can begin to better understand
ourselves. This course is designed to introduce students to the general principles and
findings of anthropology as well as the value of utilizing an “anthropological
perspective” in everyday life.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
-
use and explain the anthropological concept of culture.
distinguish between human universals and culturally specific traits.
apply cultural relativism to counter ethnocentrism and racial stereotyping.
analyze sociocultural systems, such as economics, marriage, religion, etc.
apply the comparative approach to explain the reasons for cultural differences.
identify and analyze the multilevel and shifting basis of ethnicity.
employ ethnographic techniques to describe and analyze contemporary social systems.
TEXT AND READINGS:
James Peoples and Garrick Bailey. Humanity. Thomson 2008, 8th Edition.
Fedorak, Shirley A. Anthropology Matters, Broadview Press, 2007.
Shostak, Marjorie. Nisa: The Life and Words of a !Kung Woman, Vintage Books, 1983.
Note: Other readings will be given out in class or placed on an electronic storage to
be determined.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.Public Anthropology Reaction Paper: choose one panel session and one keynote
address at the Public Anthropology meeting to be held at American University. Your
reaction paper should compare information presented and provide your critical response.
Due Nov 11th I will give out specifics for this assignment a week before the conference.
2. Focus groups- chapters from Fedorak: During the course of the semester you will be
assigned to a group, which are responsible for focus group presentations. Details on this
assignment will be handed out in class, but you are responsible for knowing when to
present, and making contact with your group members.
3. Participant observation. Some say the only way to really learn anthropology is to do
it, so a 5 page observation paper will be due on the week of December 4th. A guide for
this assignment will be handed out in class prior to your field assignments. Please discuss
with me your PO plans early in the semester.
4. Exams. Exams will be in the formatted as multiple choice questions. A study guide
will be provided for each exam a week prior to the exam..
GRADING:
Grades will be based on the focus groups (15%); the participant observation project
(15%), Conference reaction paper (10%), and each exam (20% = totaling 60%).
SEMESTER SCHEDULE:
Week of
Readings
Topics
The topic titles are corresponding
chapter names. Please read entire
chapter.
Peoples and Bailey
Aug.
28th
Intro. To Socio/Cultural Anthropology.
Sept. 2nd
Ch 1
The Study of Humanity
Sept. 4th
Ch 5
Methods of fieldwork;
Sept. 9th
Part One:
Read the Chapters 1-3, of Fedorak’s text,
Sept.
11th
Continue discussion on Part One
Sept. 16th
Ch 2, 3
Culture, and Cultural Language
Sept.
Ch 4
Anthropological Thought
18th
Sept. 23rd
Test 1
Sept. 25th
Ch 6
Nurture and Nature
Sept. 30th
Part Two
Focus Group I – Fedorak’s Chapter 4
Oct.
2nd
Ch 14, 15
Religion & Art
Oct.
7th
Part Two
Focus Group II – Fedorak’s Chapter 10
Focus Group III – Fedorak’s Chapter 6
Oct.
9th
Ch 7
Economic Systems
Oct.
14th
Ch 8
Marriage and Families
Oct.
16th
Ch 9
Kinship and Descent
Oct
21st
Ch 11
Gender
Oct.
23rd
Part Two
Test 2
Focus Group IV – Fedorak’s Chapter 11
Oct.
28th
Ch 12
Political Life
Oct.
30th
Ethnography
Nisa (Read 1/3)
American University 5th Annual Public Anthropology Day
For Information Please contact vine@american.edu
Or visit http://american.edu/anthro/activities.html
Nov.
4th
Ethnography
Nisa (Read an additional 1/3)
Nov.
6th
Part Two
Focus Group V – Fedorak’s Chapter 7
Focus Group VI – Fedorak’s Chapter 8
Nov.
11th
Ch 10
Enculturation and the Life Course
(Reaction Paper Due)
Nov.
13th
Nov.
18th
Part Two
Focus Group VII – Fedorak’s Chapter 12
Nov.
20th
Ch 18
American Association of Anthropology
Mtgs. (Fieldwork day –Participant
Observation)
Nov.
25th
Ch17
Part Two
Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict
Focus Group VIII– Fedorak’s Chapter 5
American Society of Criminology Mtgs.
(TBD)
Nov.
27th
Thanksgiving Break Enjoy!
Dec.
2nd
Ch 13
Social Inequality
Dec.
4th
Ch 16
Part Two
Globalization
Focus Group IX – Fedorak’s Chapter 9
(Participant Observations Due)
Dec.
9th
Ch 15
Art/ Final Exam Prep!!!!!!!
UMBC Final Exam Week
12/11 – 12/17.
END OF COURSE:
You should have
A general knowledge of socio/cultural anthropology, and related research methods.
A greater recognition of how much of what you “know” is really culture-specific, and not
a universal truth.
A broader understanding of some different ways that people live, practice, and shape the
communities in which they live, and have greater tolerance for cultural difference.
A critical insight and skill set to analyze what is, and has been going on in the world from
CNN to the voting booths.
DEADLINE POLICY:
I will accept late assignments only if you notify me that the assignment(s) will be late. Otherwise
you risk a potential 20% grading penalty for each assignment.
Late papers/assignments and make-up exams need to be discussed with me immediately as these
task significantly affect your final grade.
Any problems with the assigned work need to be communicated before the work is due so that I
can accommodate any special needs. If you need special accommodations for work due, contact
me in a timely manner; the responsibility is yours to ask for an extension and to complete the
work.
In general, please turn in a hard copy of your assignments. You can also e-mail your work to me
as an attachment, but check with me to see if I received it.
CLASS STRUCTURE:
The class lectures and discussion run parallel to the text, but at times will deviate in order to
cover current & popular topics relevant to the course. Class attendance and participation
contribute to your understanding of the material covered in this course. Participation is more than
simply attending class; it involves being prepared in class, keeping up with the readings, and
contributing regularly to class discussions. Readings assigned for each day should be done before
you come into the classroom.
CLASS ATTENDANCE
& ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
As noted in the current UMBC Student Handbook, you are expected to attend all class sessions.
It is your responsibility to obtain any information or class work missed when you are absent or
late. Please be aware that unexcused absences do affect your grades.
I, the professor of this course support the College's commitment to academic honesty as found in
the current UMBC student hand book.
Cheating or plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. Plagiarism, copying, or using someone
else's words in any writing assignment without giving due attribution is a serious matter.
Similarly, copying or cheating by looking at notes or someone else's exam or paper is a violation
of the Academic Code of Conduct for UMBC. These are serious offenses that can result in a
grade of "F" for the assignment or for the entire course.
SUPPORT SERVICES:
A student who may need an accommodation due to a disability should make an appointment to
speak with me or contact Lindsi MacDonald, Enrollment Specialist @ 301 738 6081. A letter
form Disability Support Services authorizing your accommodations will be needed.