Department of Behavioral Sciences
Course Syllabus
ANTH200: Cultural Anthropology and
GEOG260 Cultural Geography
Spring 2010, 3 semester credits
Instructors:
Øystein S. LaBianca, Ph.D.
Office hours: Mon, Wed 10:00 – 11:30; Tue, Thu 3:15-4:30
By appointment Mon-Fri at Institute of Archaeology Lab Ph: 6181
labianca@andrews.edu
Dr LaBianca’s Professional Background: Dr. LaBianca is Professor of Anthropology in the
Department of Behavioral Sciences. His other duties include serving as graduate programs
coordinator for the department and academic advisor for Andrews’ field-based MSA in
International Development. In his capacity as Associate Director of the Institute of Archaeology,
Dr. LaBianca conducts anthropological and archaeological fieldwork in Jordan and Palestine.
His research examines imperial interventions in Jordan through the centuries and the nature of
indigenous knowledge and customs in coping with uncertainty and change. His research has been
funded by Andrews University, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National
Geographic Society and the Research Council of Norway.
I. Course Description:
This course will introduce you to two disciplines that study human diversity and ways of being
human, namely cultural anthropology and regional geography. Whereas both disciplines are
interested in how different cultures and societies originate, persist and change, they differ in
regards to their unit of analysis: the former emphasizing cultural solidarities (small scale-,
political scale-, and global-scale solidarities) and the latter geographic or regional solidarities
(North America, South America, Europe, etc). I believe that the synergism that will result from
your study of these two perspectives will greatly enhance your grasp of the challenges that face
humanity at the dawn of the third millennium.
II. Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be able to
 Explain the goals and scope of study of each of the four sub-fields of anthropology,
including anthropological linguistics, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and physical
anthropology

Explain what is meant by the concepts of culture, cultural diversity, ethnocentrism,
culture scale, and globalisation

Explain what’s involved in doing ethnography and the advantages of this type of research
as a method of studying humans.

Explain--based on reading of an ethnographic case study of the Hutterites on North
America—how the way of life of these highly communally oriented people originated;
how it persists; and how it is gradually changing.

Explain the salient features of domestic-scale cultures as exemplified by three tribal
cultures, including the Australian aborigines, the Native Amazonians and African cattle
people

Explain the salient features of political-scale cultures as exemplified by early states in the
ancient Near East and Andes, and by the complex state-level societies of China, India and
the Islamic world.

Explain the salient features of commercial or global scale cultures as exemplified by the
rise of capitalist and communist states in Europe and the American capitalist state.

Explain the meaning and implications of globalization for the future of nation-states and
for the environment.

Explain how various world regions differ in regards to their salient cultural features and
the challenges faced by populations within each.

Explain how each of us as individuals can make a difference for the future of humanity
by the life-styles we chose to adopt and promote.

Explain our responsibility as Christians in responding to the challenges facing humanity
and our planet in the future.
III. Methods of Instruction:
Methods of instruction include assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, writing
assignments and a required field trip. There are two unit exams and a comprehensive exam at the
end of the semester. Daily attendance is essential to good performance as assigned readings
complement rather than duplicate topics covered in class lectures.
IV. Course Requirements:

Attendance:
Daily attendance is required and will be recorded. You are expected to be on time for
class and to be present not only in body, but also with your mind. You are welcome to eat
your lunch in class as long as you bring enough food to share with all class members.

Assigned Readings:
Assigned readings are drawn from textbooks listed below. The daily course schedule
below tells you what specific reading assignments are due at the beginning of each class
period.

Reflection Journal or Term Paper:
You may choose to complete a reflection journal or a term paper. The completed journal
consists of a minimum of about 25 entries. Each entry should be at least one hundred
words and should represent your reflections on assigned readings as outlined below. If
you chose to write a term paper instead, you will need to receive instructor approval for
the topic before the end of the third week of classes. The term paper should consist of a
minimum of 5000 words. It should represent your best effort at analysing an issue related
to the subject of this class. Both are due Thursday two weeks before exams begin.
● Personal Network Project
In accordance with instructions provided in exercise 16 (package), you are to reconstruct
your personal social network. Report your results on pp 110-115 in your journal
notebook. The project will be due for full credit last class day in January.

Cultural Encounter Project
In accordance with the instructions provided in class, you are to befriend an individual
from a cultural background significantly different from your own and have him/her
describe for you the nature of his/her social support system. On pp. 116-122 of your
notebook describe your friend's social support system (including preparation of his/her
friendship and kinship networks) and discuss how it contrasts with your own. Give your
ideas about the reasons for this difference. The project will be due for full credit last
class day in February.

ANTH600 Seminar in Anthropology
Graduate students enrolled in ANTH600 will be required to complete a term paper that
examines the contribution of cultural anthropology to their field of study. For example,
students studying for the MSA in International Development could explore the relevance
of “indigenous knowledge” for international work. The term paper should be minimum
5000 words and is due at the end of the semester. Graduate students are not required to
keep and turn in a reflection journal, though they should do the two projects.
● Exams:
Three exams will be administered, two during the semester and one at the end. You are
required to sit for all three exams as scheduled below. Of the first two exams, the one
with the lowest grade will be discarded in calculating your final grade.

Special Needs:
If you have special needs related to a physical handicap, please see the instructor
regarding any special assistance you may need.
V. Grading Standards:
Assignment
Attendance
Reflection Journal/Term Paper
Projects
First Two Exams
Final Exam
%
10
15
10
30
35
TOTAL
100

A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
94 – 100 %
90 – 93 %
87 – 89 %
83 – 86 %
80 – 82 %
75 – 79 %
70 – 74 %
65 – 69 %
60 – 64 %
0 – 59 %
VI. Assignment Submission:


Reflection journals based on readings are due at the time of final exams
It is the students responsibility to make sure the teacher gets his/her assignment
VII. Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to display honesty in all academic matters. Please review the Academic
Integrity statement found in the University Bulletin for a complete description of what
constitutes academic dishonesty along with the consequences for such academic behavior.
VIII. Textbooks:
John H. Bodley
2000 Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System, 3rd ed. Mayfield
Publishing Company
John Hostetler and Gertrud Huntington
1980 The Hutterites of North America. Holt, Reinhart and Winston.
IX. Course Outline:
01-05 Tue
Introductory
01-07 Thu
Introduction to Hutterite Case Study
Hutterites: Introduction and ch 1
01-12 Tue
Hutterite World View and Colony Pattern
Hutterites: ch 2 - 3
01-14 Thu
Hutterite Socialization and Family Pattern
Hutterites: ch 4 -5
01-18 Mon
MLK Events: Cultural Encounter Opportunity
01- 19 Tue
The Challenge of Change and Disruption
Hutterites: ch 6 -7
01-21 Thu
Culture and Ethnocentrism
Cultural Anthropology ch 1
Personal Network Project documented in notebook
01-26 Tue
Domestic Scale Cultures: The Australian Aborigines
Cultural Anthropology ch 2 first half
02-28 Thu
Domestic Scale Cultures: The Australian Aborigines
Cultural Anthropology ch 2 second half
02-02 Tue
Domestic Scale Cultures: The Native Amazonians
Cultural Anthropology ch 3
02-04 Thu
Domestic Scale Cultures: African Cattle People
Cultural Anthropology ch 4
02-09 Tue
Domestic Scale Cultures: The Quality of Tribal Life
Cultural Anthropology ch 5
02-11 Thu
First Exam: covers lectures, assigned readings, videos and class discussion
02-16 Tue
Political Scale Cultures: The Pacific Islanders
Cultural Anthropology ch 6
02-18 Thu
Political Scale Cultures: Early States: The Ancient Near East
Cultural Anthropology ch 7
Cultural Encounter Project documented in notebook
02-23 Tue
Political Scale Cultures: The Madaba Plains Project
D2L Handout: Great and Little Traditions (LaBianca)
02-25 Thu
03-02 Tue
Political Scale Cultures: The Chinese Great Tradition
Cultural Anthropology ch 8
Political Scale Cultures: The Hindu Great Tradition
Cultural Anthropology ch 9 first half
03-04 Thu
Political Scale Cultures; The Islamic Great Tradition
Cultural Anthropology ch 9 second half
03-09 Tue
Political Scale Cultures: The Breakdown of States
Cultural Anthropology ch 10
03-11 Thu
Political Scale Cultures: Failed States Video
D2L Handout: Failed States Index
03-12 Fri
Begin Spring Break. Break ends Sun 03-22
03-23 Tue
Political Scale Cultures: Capitalism and Ethnic Conflicts
D2L Handout: World on Fire (Amy Chua)
03-25 Thu
Second Exam: Covers lectures, assigned readings, videos and class discussion
03-30 Tue
Global Scale Cultures: Europe and the Commercial World
Cultural Anthropology ch 11 first half
04-01 Thu
Global Scale Cultures: Rise of Modern World System
Cultural Anthropology ch 11 second half
04-06 Tue
Global Scale Cultures: The American Industrial State
Cultural Anthropology ch 12 first half
04-08 Thu
Global Scale Cultures: The American Industrial State
Cultural Anthropology ch 12 second half
04-13 Tue
Global Scale Cultures: The Impoverished
Cultural Anthropology ch 13
04-15 Thu
Global Scale Cultures: Indigenous Peoples
Cultural Anthropology ch 14
04-20 Tue
Global Scale Cultures: The Future in the Global Greenhouse
Cultural Anthropology ch 15 Notebooks due for grading
04-22 Thu
Review for final exam. Notebooks returned.
04-29 Thu
13:30-15:30 pm Comprehensive Final Exam: See course objectives