ANTHROPOLOGY 1010 - SYLLABUS
This course represents a basic introduction to the discipline field of
Anthropology and an exploration into the origins, development and nature of
humans and their culture(s). While exposing students to the perspectives,
methods and materials of anthropology through its various sub-field
concentrations (Biological/Physical Anthropology, Archaeology,
Anthropological Linguistics, Ethnology and Applied Anthropology), the
course will focus on developing an understanding of the basic unity and
diversity of human beings and their ways of life.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
To introduce students to the discipline of Anthropology and enrich their
awareness and appreciation of the origins, development and nature of humans
and their culture(s).
SUB-OBJECTIVES
1) Expose students to the perspectives, methods and theories of the four
major sub-fields of Anthropology (Biological/Physical Anthropology,
Archaeology, Anthropological Linguistics, Ethnology), and the
contemporary concerns of Applied Anthropology).
2) Develop among students an appreciation, understanding and
sensitivity to the concept of culture which makes humans both alike
and different at the same time (the basic unity and diversity of
human beings and their ways of life).
3) To make students more aware of the cultural foundation for human
behavior across cultures and societies, throughout history and prehistory.
4) To develop among students a sense of holism and the integrative
nature of the cultures, their social structures and institutions.
5) To develop a greater awareness and understanding of culture as a
problem solving process in the human experience, especially within
the context of the complex modern society.
6) To make students more aware of the physical nature of humans,
their origins and development, as well as their variation.
7) To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic,
cultural and global forces affecting humans throughout the world.
8) To help students develop a greater awareness of the social and
cultural diversity of American (United States) culture and society.
9) Help students develop among students the skills necessary to
recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic
society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public
discourse, and by obtaining information through various information
sources about politics, public policy and a variety of contemporary
issues.
COURSE TOPIC MODULES
A)
Distance Learning ANTH1010 Introduction
B)
Course Overview
C)
Anthropology as a Field of Study (Discipline)
D)
Physical Nature of Humans (Physical Anthropology)
E)
Studying the Human Past (Archaeology)
F)
Human Communications (Anthropological Linguistics)
G)
Culture Concept
H)
Theory and Method of Anthropology
I)
Social Structure
J)
Social Organization
K)
American Culture
L)
Culture Change
Required text
Karl Heider - Grand Valley Dani: Peaceful
Warriors, 3rd Edition. Harcourt Brace, 1997
UNT Bookstore
UNT Union (corner of Prairie & Ave A), Denton, TX 76201
Voertman's
1314 W. Hickory, Denton, TX 76201
North Texas Book & Supply
1103 S. Ave C, Denton, TX 76201
Eagle Bookstore
105 Ave. A, Denton, TX 76201
Amazon.com
GRADES
Grades in this course will be determined on the basis of total points earned
from the following:
A) Three (3) Topical Exams (Each of these is worth points as
indicated.)
1) Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Archaeology (worth
up to 100 points)
2) Sociocultural Anthropology, Culture Concept, Fieldwork &
Theory, Language & Culture, American Culture (worth up
to 100 points)
3) Social Structure, Social Organization, Culture Change
(worth up to 100 points)
B) Short Exam on Karl Heider's ethnography Grand Valley Dani
(worth up to 50 points)
C) Three Page Review of Heider's Grand Valley Dani demonstrating
they you have read the book by concentrating on traditional Dani
Culture (worth up to 50 points). This review should include a
discussion of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Description of the physical environment of the Grand Valley
Dani
Subsistence Strategy used by the Grand Valley Dani
Social Organization of the Grand Valley Dani
World View/Religion of the Grand Valley Dani
Political Organization of the Grand Valley Dani during Heider's
original fieldwork (1960's)
Overview of the changes that have occurred in the culture of the
Grand Valley Dani since Heider's original fieldwork and his
return to the Grand Valley in both the 80's and 90's.
*Note: You are not limited to 3 pages, however, you must write at
least this amount in order to address each of the items of interest
D) Final Comprehensive Exam (worth up to 100 points)
Students who have an A in the course after the three
Topical Exams, the Dani Exam, and the Dani Paper will be
exempt from taking the Final.
All other students must take the final exam.
E) Topic Chats (0-? based on instructor's subjective evaluation)
All students are encouraged to participate in chat
discussions with other students in the course. These will be
monitored by the instructor and additional points will be
assigned to students (added to their test points) for really
significant contributions to these discussions. This is strictly
by the instructors subjective assessment. Dates and times of
chat sessions are posted on the course calendar.
NOTE: ONLY THREE TEST SCORES, THE DANI PAPER, AND THE
DANI QUIZ ARE USED IN DETERMINING YOUR FINAL POINT TOTAL.
IF YOU TAKE THE FINAL, IT IS SUBSTITUTED FOR YOUR LOWEST
TEST SCORE, IF IT IS HIGHER THAN ANY ONE OF THEM.
GRADE VALUES (This is only an estimate. Final Grades will be
set by the instructor based on class performance)
A=350-400 B=300-349 C=250-299 D=200-249 F=BELOW 200
DROPS: Students dropping this course up to the first exam will be
given a WP. Students dropping after the first exam will be given a
WP or WF depending on their performance up to the time of the
drop. It is the student's responsibility to initiate the drop
according to university policy--if you don't know the correct
procedure and dates, look it up in your schedule of classes or
online, or contact the registrar's office.
SCHEDULE, TOPICS & READING ASSIGNMENTS
(The exact deadlines for all tests and papers due can be found on
your course calendar.)
Distance Learning ANTH1010 Introduction
Topic A: Lesson 1
Nature of Anthropology (The study of humans and their cultures)
Topic B: Lesson 1
Anthropology as a Field of Study
Topic C: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part I: Lesson I (Nature of
Anthropology)
Physical Nature of Humans (Physical Anthropology)
Topic D: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part I: Lesson III (Biology and
Evolution)
Biological Development of Human
Topic D: Lesson 2
Monkeys, Apes and Humans
Topic D: Lesson 3
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part II: Lesson I (Fossil Primates) &
Lesson II (The Earliest Hominines)
Human Evolutionary Story
Topic D
Lesson 4
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part II: Lesson III (Homo erectus) &
Lesson IV (Homo sapiens)
Human Variation / Concept of Race
Topic D
Lesson 5
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part III: Lesson III (Human Diversity)
Studying Human Past (Archaeological Method)
Topic E: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part I: Lesson II (Methods of Studying
the Human Past)
Archaeological Process
Topic E: Lesson 2
Development of Culture
Topic E: Lesson 3
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part II: Lesson II (The Earliest
Hominines and Cultural Origins)
Mesolithic & Neolithic Periods
Topic E: Lesson 4
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part III: Lesson I (Cultivation &
Domestication)
Emergence of Civilizations
Topic E: Lesson 5
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part III: Lesson II (The Rise of Cities
& Civilizations)
Language and Culture
Topic F: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part IV: Lesson II (Language and
Communication)
Descriptive Linguistics
Topic F: Lesson 2
Historical Linguistics
Topic F: Lesson 3
Ethnolinguistics & Sociolinguistics
Topic F: Lesson 4
1st TOPICAL EXAMINATION
Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, Archaeology &
Anthropological Linguistics (Topics B-F)
Students must complete Exam 1 before continuing
on with topics.
Sociocultural Anthropology
Culture Concept
Topic G: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part IV: Lesson I (Nature of Culture)
Social and Cultural Groups
Topic G: Lesson 2
Forms and Parts of Culture
Topic G: Lesson 3
Culture Transmission and Acquisition (Culturation)
Topic G: Lesson 4
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part IV: Lesson III (Growing Up
Human)
The Study of Culture (Participant Observation)
Topic H: Lesson 1
Theory in Anthropology
Topic H: Lesson 2
Anthropological Research
Topic H: Lesson 3
Part I: Lesson I
Part IV: Lesson I
2nd TOPICAL EXAMINATION
Sociocultural Anthropology, Culture, Anthropological Study of
Culture, Theory (Topics G-H)
Students must complete Exam 2 before continuing
on with topics.
Social Structure
Topic I: Lesson 1
Marriage and Family
Topic I: Lesson 2
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part V: Lesson I (Sex and Marriage)
Family / Household
Topic I: Lesson 3
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part V: Lesson II (Family and
Household)
Kinship & Descent
Topic I: Lesson 4
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part V: Lesson III (Kinship and
Descent)
Non-kinship Groupings
Topic I: Lesson 5
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part V: Lesson IV (Grouping by Sex,
Age, Interest and Class)
Social Organization & Subsistence Systems
Topic J: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part IV: Lesson IV (Patterns of
Subsistence)
Economic Systems
Topic J: Lesson 2
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part IV: Lesson V (Economic Systems)
Political/Legal Systems
Topic J: Lesson 3
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part VI: Lesson I (Political
Organization/ Social Order)
Supernatural Systems
Topic J: Lesson 4
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part VI: Lesson II (Religion and
Supernatural)
American Culture & Society
Topic K: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part VIII (American Culture and
Society)
Culture Change & Future Prospects
Topic L: Lesson 1
Reading: Anthropology Study Guide
Part VI: Lesson IV (Culture Change)
& Lesson V (Future of Humanity)
3rd TOPICAL EXAMINATION
Culture Change, Social Structure, Social Organization, American
Culture (Topics I-L)
Students must complete Exam 3 before continuing
on with topics.
FINAL Comprehensive Exam (100 points)
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
MUST BE COMPLETED BY May