ANTH 101
Cultural
Anthropology
Autumn 2009
Professor Heather L. Lindkvist
hlindkvi@bates.edu
207.786.6445
Office: Pettengill Hall 217
Office Hours: Friday 2.40 - 5.00
+ by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to cultural anthropology, which studies the diversity of human
experience. The course introduces students to the issues addressed and methods used by cultural
anthropologists in order to understand how various groups of people organize and give meaning to their
experience of a common world. The basic assumption of the course is that our reality or our world is
culturally constructed. We take up this issue by examining a variety of cultures including the Trobriand
Islanders, the Hijras of India, Somalis in diaspora, and the Sherpas of Nepal. Throughout the course we
will reflect on the American context.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course format (consisting of lectures and discussions), readings, and assignments are designed to
foster your curiosity about cultural anthropology and the study of culture. At the end of the course
students will be able to:
Reflect on the diversity of perspectives of what it means to be human
Explain core concepts in the study of human experience cross-culturally, such as culture, society,
cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, gender, race, and ethnicity
Discuss important theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches in cultural
anthropology
Challenge prevailing “Western” (American and European) assumptions about the worldviews and
belief systems that exist in “non-Western” societies
Critically examine how categories such as culture, race, ethnicity, class, identity and gender are used
in everyday settings
COURSE READINGS
Reading is a fundamental part of the intellectual life. And reading – especially careful, thoughtful
review – contributes to writing well. As you read, interrogate the text and its author. Ask “Why?” Write
down questions and thoughts on the text. And most importantly, challenge the author’s position and
authority. Why does the author write what she does? What evidence does she use to support her claims?
I expect you to think critically about the readings. I strongly encourage you to take notes and pose
questions as you read a text. You should determine the main argument or purpose of the text (its thesis),
identify any underlying assumptions of the text, and examine the evidence provided by the author to
support the thesis. You should also consider for what audience the text is written. Always keep in mind
how the text fits in with perspectives presented in class lectures, discussions, and in the other assignments.
You should read the assigned texts in advance of the class meeting for which they are listed, according to
the schedule indicated in the syllabus. If a reading is listed under a Wednesday, you should read the text for
that Wednesday. I advise you not to fall behind in the readings as you are expected to come to class
prepared to discuss the reading assigned for a particular date.
The selections for this course include a course text, three ethnographies, a novel and a compilation
of articles and book chapters. The books are available for purchase at the Bates College Bookstore and
are on reserve at Ladd Library. Most articles will be available on the course page on Lyceum, as noted in
the syllabus with a . The course bibliography follows the “Readings & Assignments” section of the
syllabus.
You will be required to review pertinent websites in preparation for class. I may distribute additional
readings in-class to clarify issues raised in our discussions. I encourage students to contribute relevant texts
and images as well!
Required Books
The texts are listed in the order in which they have been assigned.
Monaghan, John and Peter Just.
2000. Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University.
Listed as [SCA] in the syllabus.
Weiner, Annette B.
1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. New York: Wadsworth Publishing.
Ladd Reserve: GN671.N5 W43 1987
Nanda, Serena.
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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1998. Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of India. 2nd edition. New York: Wadsworth Publishing.
Ladd Reserve: HQ449.N36 1990
Farah, Nuruddin.
2004. Links. New York: Riverhead Books.
Ladd Reserve: PR9396.9.F3 L56 2004
Ortner, Sherry.
2001. Life and Death on Mt. Everest: Sherpas and Himalayan Mountaineering. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press.
Ladd Reserve: GV199.44.E85 O78 1999
OVERVIEW OF GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
As course assignments and exams are based on materials presented in class and in the readings, I strongly
encourage you to attend lectures and to complete the assigned readings prior to class.
Please note that NO assignments may be submitted via email. Any electronic submissions will be to the
course website on Lyceum. All written work must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for
the course.
Attendance + Participation
Each student is expected to come to class each day having completed the readings and prepared to discuss
them. You may be asked to complete a one-minute paper at the end of the class period enabling you to
reflect on what you have learned from lecture on that day. Films and videos are part of the course
curriculum; you are responsible for attending evening viewings (as noted in the syllabus) as well as the inclass films.
Class attendance and engaged, constructive contributions to discussions will improve your course grade.
Poor attendance will lower it. I will take attendance randomly throughout the semester.
Discussion Groups and Lyceum Posts 20%
By September 16th, I will randomly assign each student to a discussion group. As a member of this group
you will meet outside of class to discuss course readings, work collaboratively to consider a question or
topic posted to Lyceum, and then independently respond to the question through the group blog on
Lyceum. You also may want to provide feedback to one another on course assignments. See the Discussion
Group handout for more detail, which I will distribute on September 14th.
Critical Essays 40%
You will prepare two critical essays, five to six pages in length, based on the readings, integrating theories
and concepts presented in the lectures. I will distribute the assignment in class at least one week prior to
due date. The first essay is due Monday, October 12th. The second essay is due Monday, November 16th.
Final Exam 40%
Each student will complete a short answer and essay-format, take home final exam. The final will
encompass concepts discussed in lectures and readings throughout the semester. You also are responsible
for any films or videos shown during the semester. The Final Exam will be distributed on Monday,
December 7th and will be due on Wednesday, December 16th by 3:00pm in Pettengill Hall 217.
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES
Assignment
Lyceum Post 1
Lyceum Post 2
Critical Essay 1
Lyceum Post 3
Lyceum Post 4
Critical Essay 2
Lyceum Post 5
Final Exam
Deadline
September 18
October 2
October 12
October 16
November 6
November 16
December 4
December 16
COURSE POLICIES
Class Etiquette
I consider our classroom to be a collaborative environment in which diverse perspectives are welcome
and encouraged. Collaboration depends on everyone’s participation and engagement with the course
materials. The more involved you are in the class, the more you will get out of it.
Please arrive to class on time, stay for the duration of the class (i.e., do not get up unannounced for any
reason) and turn off all cell phones/iPhones and computers prior to class. Do not send text messages or
emails during class.
Practice active listening. Listen respectfully to your fellow students: do not interrupt another student
while s/he is speaking, and do not speak while anyone else is speaking. Disrespectful behavior will not be
tolerated.
Thank you for contributing to a respectful classroom environment.
Class Cancellations
If for any reason I must be absent from class, I will send students an email the night before our scheduled
meeting. The Anthropology area administrative assistant will post a sign on our classroom door as well. In
lieu of discussion you will be required to complete an assignment (e.g., a response to a blog posting or a
comment about an article) on Lyceum. I will include instructions for the assignment on Lyceum. You must
complete the assignment by 5:00pm on the day on which it is assigned.
Statement on Disabilities and Learning Differences
If you have any disability which may hinder your ability to learn under usual circumstances, please inform
me directly and as early in the semester as possible. I will make the necessary adjustments to improve the
learning environment. In addition, please contact Holly Gurney (786.6220 or hgurney@bates.edu) in the
office of the Dean of Students if you have any special needs.
Emails
I will respond to emails during regular business hours. Do not expect a response to your email directly
before class or over the weekend. Speaking with me after class or during office hours is often more
effective than an email communication.
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for reading and understanding the Bates College Statement on Academic
Honesty. (See http://abacus.bates.edu/pubs/Plagiarism/plagiarism.html). When you turn in an
assignment to satisfy the requirements for this course, you are indicating it is your own work. The failure
to properly acknowledge your use of another work is plagiarism. All references must be cited according to
the AAA guidelines (see described in handouts and on Lyceum). I do not tolerate academic dishonesty.
Plagiarism of any kind will result in a failing grade for the assignment and/or the class.
Late Assignments
Overdue assignments are not acceptable and will be penalized. Assignments handed in late will be graded
down accordingly, in fairness to students who have met the deadline. For each day an assignment is late, I
will mark it down 1/3rd of a letter grade. For example, a student hands a paper in 2 days late; the initial
mark is a B+ but the final grade is a B-.
I will suspend this policy for extenuating circumstances. You must contact me directly if you have any
difficulties meeting the assignment deadlines. However, the later you notify me, the less likely it is that I
will make an accommodation.
The Instructor reserves the right to modify the course syllabus and assignments as necessary.
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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READINGS & ASSIGNMENT CALENDAR
DATE
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
PART I. ANTHROPOLOGY: NOTES ON A DISCIPLINE
September 9
An Introduction to the Course
Using the internet, look up “Anthropology.” Type up the
URLs for 3 websites that best explain what anthropology is.
Turn-in at the next class period, September 11th.
Anthropology and its Subfields
[SCA] A Very Short Introduction. Pp. 1 - 12.
Wednesday
September 11
Friday
Miner, Horace M. 1956. Body Ritual among the Nacirema.
Pp. 503-507.
In-class film:
Anthropology: Real People, Real Careers. 2006.
September 14
Monday
The Anthropological
Endeavor: Fieldwork and
Participant-Observation
[SCA] Chapter 1: A Dispute in Donggo: Fieldwork and
Ethnography. Pp. 13 - 33.
Malinowski, Bronislaw. 1932. Introduction: Subject,
Method and Scope of this Inquiry. Pp. 1-25.
Sterk, Claire E. 2009. Fieldwork on Prostitution in the Era
of AIDS. Pp. 33-45.
September 16
Wednesday
Anthropological Inquiry:
The Culture Concept
[SCA] Chapter 2: Bee Larvae and Onion Soup: Culture. Pp. 34
- 52.
Bonannan, Laura. 1998. Shakespeare in the Bush. Pp. 7888.
Evening Film: 7.30-10.00pm, Pettigrew 301
Shyamalan, M. Night., dir. 2003. The Village.
September 18
Friday
Discussion: The Cultural and
Social Construction of Reality
Meet in Pettengill G52 for discussion with discussion groups.
Submit Responses to Lyceum by 5:00pm.
PART II. ETHNOGRAPHIC CASE STUDY: THE TROBRIANDERS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
September 21
Monday
September 23
Wednesday
The Past and Present: An
Introduction to the Trobriand
Islands
[SCA] Chapter 3: A Brief Encounter: Society. Pp. 53 - 74.
Blood and Sex, Kinship and
Descent
Weiner, Annette B. 1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New
Guinea. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. Pp. 33 - 96.
Weiner, Annette B. 1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New
Guinea. Introduction and Chapter 1. Pp. 1-31.
Recommended:
[SCA] Chapter 4: Fernando Seeks a Wife. Pp. 75 - 88.
September 25
In-Class Ethnographic Film
Wason, David, dir. 1991. The Trobriand Islanders of Papua
New Guinea.
Hierarchies of Power
Weiner, Annette B. 1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New
Guinea. Chapters 6 and 7. Pp. 97 - 123.
Friday
September 28
Monday
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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September 30
Forms of Exchange
Wednesday
Weiner, Annette B. 1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New
Guinea. Chapters 8, 9, and 10. Pp. 125 - 167.
[SCA] Chapter 6: A Feast in Nuyoo: People and Their Things.
Pp. 107 - 119.
October 2
Discussion
Friday
Meet with discussion groups. Submit posts to Lyceum by
8:00pm.
PART III. CONSTRUCTING GENDER: THE HIJRAS OF INDIA
October 5
Monday
October 7
The Cultural Construction of
Gender
Nanda, Serena. 1998. Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of
India. Intro, Chapters 1, 2 and 3. Pp. xvii – 37.
Engendering Economics
Nanda, Serena. 1998. Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of
India. Chapters 4, 5, and 6. Pp. 38 – 112.
Wednesday
October 9
No Class Meeting
Friday
October 12
Monday
The Third Gender in CrossCultural Comparison
Critical Essay 1 due
Nanda, Serena. 1998. Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of
India. Chapters 9 and 10. Pp. 113 – 149.
Compiled media reports on Lyceum.
In-Class Film:
National Geographic. 2004. Taboo: Sexuality.
PART IV. APPROACHING “RACE” AND ETHNICITY
October 14
Wednesday
The Social Construction of
“Race”
Complete the questions and activities on Lyceum prior to
reading the assignment. Bring your responses to class.
Mukhopadhyay, Carol C, et.al. 2007. Culture and
Classification: Race is Culturally Real. In How Real is
Race? Pp. 99 – 113.
Molnar, Stephen. 2001. Racial Variation and the
Perception of Human Differences. In Human Variation.
Pp. 1-33. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Evening Film: 7.30-10.00pm, Olin Hall 104
Phillip Noyce, dir. 2003. Rabbit-Proof Fence.
October 16
Discussion
Friday
ANTH 101 Syllabus
Meet with discussion groups. Submit posts to Lyceum by
8:00pm.
7
October 19
Anthropology and “Race”
Monday
Complete the questions and activities on Lyceum. Bring your
responses to class.
Race: Are we so different?
http://www.understandingrace.org/home.html
Brace, C. Loring. 1996. A Four Letter Word Called “Race”.
Pp. 106-141.
Smedley, Audrey. 1997. The Origins of “Race.” 52.
American Anthropological Association Statement on
"Race." http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm
In-class Film:
Riggs, Marlon, dir. 1986. Ethnic notions. 56 mins. San
Francisco, CA: California Newsreel.
October 21 - 23
October 26
Monday
AUTUMN RECESS
“Race” & Ethnicity in the
United States
Complete the activities on Lyceum.
Mukhopadhyay, Carol C. et.al. 2007. Race and Inequality
and Cross-Cultural Variation in Race. Pp. 119-137, 145159.
Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal
Data on Race and Ethnicity. 1997.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/rewrite/fedreg/omb
dir15.html
Fish, Jeffrey M. 2009. Mixed Blood. In Conformity and
Conflict. James Spradley and David W. McCurdy, eds. Pp.
248-258.
McIntosh, Peggy. 1989. White Privilege: Unpacking the
Invisible Backpack. Peace and Freedom (July/August).
Compiled media reports of the arrest of Henry Louis
Gates, Jr.
PART V. DISPLACEMENT AND DISLOCATION: SOMALIS IN THE DIASPROA
October 28
Somalia: History and Context
Wednesday
October 30
Putnam, Diane and Mohamed Cabdi Noor. 1993. Somalis:
Their Culture and History.
http://www.cal.org/co/somali/index.html
In-Class Film
Friday
November 2
Farah, Nuruddin. 2003. Links. Part I. Pp. 1-145.
Cran, Bill, dir. 2001. Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu.
Continue reading Farah.
Dissolution of the Somali State
Monday
ANTH 101 Syllabus
Farah, Nuruddin. 2003. Links. Part II. Pp. 150 – 241, 244 – 277.
Lyons, Terrence and Ahmed I. Samatar. 1995. Anatomy of
State Collapse. Pp. 7-24.
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November 4
Wednesday
Death and Displacement:
The Effects of Internal
Conflict
Farah, Nuruddin. 2003. Links. Parts III and IV. Pp. 278 – 334
Evening Film: 7.30-10.00pm, Olin Hall 104
Makepeace, Anne, dir. 2006. Rain in a Dry Land. 83 mins.
Oley, PA : Bullfrog Films
November 6
Discussion
Friday
November 9
The Refugee Experience
Monday
Meet with discussion groups. Submit posts to Lyceum by
8:00pm.
Horst, Cindy. 2006. Buufis among Somalis in Dadaab. Pp.
143 - 157.
Farah, Nuruddin. 2000. Chapter 3 from Yesterday,
Tomorrow: Voices from the Somali Diaspora. Pp. 30-37.
UNHCR. 2004. The United States. In Resettlement
Handbook. Pp. 429 – 443.
November 11
Wednesday
Dislocations: Somalis in
Lewiston, ME
Besteman, Catherine. 1999. Hard Hair: Somali
Constructions of Gosha Inferiority. Pp. 113-131
Finnegan, William. 2006. Letter from Maine: New in Town
– The Somalis of Lewiston. The New Yorker. December 11:
46 – 58.
Lindkvist, Heather. 2008. The Reach and Limits of
Cultural Accommodation: Public Schools and Somali
Muslim Immigrants in Maine. Pp. 164- 195.
Additional materials online.
November 13
Guest Speakers
Friday
Individuals from the local Somali community will share their
stories.
PART VI. CONFIGURING “TOURISM” ON MT. EVEREST
November 16
Monday
November 18
“Serious Games”:
Representations of Himalayan
Mountaineering
Critical Essay 2 due
“To Be” a Sherpa
Ortner, Sherry. 2001. Life and Death on Mt. Everest. Chapters
3, 4 and 5. Pp. 56 - 148.
Wednesday
Ortner, Sherry. 2001. Life and Death on Mt. Everest. Chapters
1 and 2. Pp. 3 - 55.
Additional materials on Lyceum
November 20
No Class Meeting
Friday
November 21 - 29
THANKSGIVING RECESS
November 30
The Male Mountaineer
Monday
Ortner, Sherry. 2001. Life and Death on Mt. Everest. Chapter 6
and 7. Pp. 149 - 216.
Select media reports on Lyceum
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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December 2
Death on Mt. Everest
Breashears, David, and Liesl Clark, dirs. 1998. Everest: the
death zone.
Discussion
Meet with discussion groups. Submit posts to Lyceum by
8:00pm.
Reconfigurations of Sherpa
Culture
Distribute Final Exam
Wednesday
December 4
Friday
December 7
Monday
December 9
Ortner, Sherry. 2001. Life and Death on Mt. Everest. Chapter
6, 7, and 8. Pp. 217 - 293.
Applying Anthropology
Wednesday
December 11
No Class Meeting
Friday
December 16
Final Exam Due
Return to Pettengill Hall 217 by 3:00pm
Wednesday
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abdullahi, Mohamed Diriye.
2001. Introduction. In Culture and Customs of Somalia. Pp. 1-30. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
American Anthropological Association.
1999 [Adopted 1998]. American Anthropological Association Statement on "Race." American
Anthropologist 100(3): 712-713. http://www.aaanet.org/stmts/racepp.htm, accessed September 8,
2009.
Bonannan, Laura.
1998. Shakespeare in the Bush. In In Conformity and Conflict. 6th edition. James Spradley and David W.
McCurdy, eds. Pp. 78-88. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foreman, and Co.
Brace, C. Loring.
1996. A Four Letter Word Called “Race”. In Race and Other Misadventures. Larry T. Reynolds and Leonard
Lieberman, eds. Pp. 106-141. Dix Hills, NY: General Hall Press.
Breashears, David, and Liesl Clark, dirs.
1998. Everest: the death zone. 60 mins. South Burlington, VT: WGBH Boston Video.
Cran, Bill, dir.
2001. Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu. 60 mins. Boston, MA: WGBH Educational Foundation.
Farah, Nuruddin.
2000. Chapter 3 from Yesterday, Tomorrow: Voices from the Somali Diaspora. Pp. 30-37 .New York: Cassell.
2004. Links. New York: Riverhead Books.
Fish, Jeffrey M.
2009. Mixed Blood. In Conformity and Conflict. 13th edition. James Spradley and David W. McCurdy, eds.
Pp. 248-258. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Besteman, Catherine.
1999. Hard Hair: Somali Constructions of Gosha Inferiority. In Unraveling Somalia: Race, Violence, and the
Legacy of Slavery. Pp. 113-13. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Horst, Cindy.
2006. Buufis among Somalis in Dadaab: the Transnational and Historical Logics behind Resettlement
Dreams. Journal of Refugee Studies. 19(2): 143 - 157.
Lindkvist, Heather.
2008. The Reach and Limits of Cultural Accommodation: Public Schools and Somali Muslim Immigrants in
Maine. In Just Schools: Pursuing Equal Education in Societies of Difference. Martha Minow, Hazel Markus
and Richard Shweder, Eds. Pp. 164-203. New York: SSRC/Russell Sage Foundation.
Lyons, Terrence, and Ahmed I. Samatar.
1995. Anatomy of State Collapse. In Somalia. Pp. 7 – 24.Washington, DC: Brookings Institution.
Makepeace, Anne, dir.
2006. Rain in a Dry Land. 83 mins. Oley, PA : Bullfrog Films
Malinowski, Bronislaw.
1932. Introduction: Subject, Method and Scope of this Inquiry. In Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Pp. 1-25.
London: Routledge.
McIntosh, Peggy.
1989. White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack. Peace and Freedom (July/August).
ANTH 101 Syllabus
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Miner, Horace M.
1956. Body Ritual among the Nacirema. American Anthropologist. 58(3): 503-507.
Molnar, Stephen.
2001. Racial Variation and the Perception of Human Differences. In Human Variation. Pp. 1-33.
Monaghan, John, and Peter Just.
2000. Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University.
Mukhopadhyay, Carol C, Rosemary Henze, and Yolanda Moses.
2007. Race and Inequality and Cross-Cultural Variation in Race. In How Real is Race? Pp. 119-137, 145-159.
Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Nanda, Serena.
1998. Neither Man Nor Woman: The Hijras of India. 2nd edition. New York: Wadsworth Publishing.
Phillip Noyce, dir.
2003. Rabbit-Proof Fence. 94 mins. Rumbalara Films. Australia.
Putnam, Diane and Mohamed Cabdi Noor.
1993. Somalis: Their Culture and History. Refugee Fact Sheet No. 9. Cultural Orientation Resource Center.
http://www.cal.org/co/somali/index.html. Electronic document.
Riggs, Marlon, dir.
1986. Ethnic notions. 56 mins. San Francisco, CA: California Newsreel.
Shyamalan, M. Night., dir.
2003. The Village. 107 mins. Touchstone Pictures. Hollywood.
Smedley, Audrey.
1997. The Origins of “Race.” Anthropology Newsletter. 38(8): 52.
Sterk, Claire E.
2009. Fieldwork on Prostitution in the Era of AIDS. In Conformity and Conflict. 13th edition. James Spradley
and David W. McCurdy, eds. Pp. 33-45. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR).
2004. Resettlement Handbook. Geneva, Switzerland.
US Government.
1997. Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/rewrite/fedreg/ombdir15.html, accessed September 9, 2009.
Wason, David, dir.
1991. The Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea. Annette B. Weiner, consulting anthropologist. 52
mins. Films Incorporated Video. Chicago.
Weiner, Annette B.
1988. The Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. New York: Wadsworth Publishing.
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