ANTH 1102: Intro to Anthropology
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Trunzo
Office Hours: TU/TH 9-10 am, 1-2 pm or by appointment
Email: jtrunzo@aug.edu
Office: Allgood E-217
Course description, Prerequisites, Goals, Teaching Methods: Anthropology is the study of human culture using various
methods that examine how culture develops and changes as well as how human groups use it. The goals of this course are 1)
to introduce students to the four fields of anthropology (cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and
linguistics); 2) to show how the subfields work together to explain the origins of human beings and their cultural practices; 3) to
expose students to how social relations and power combine to structure relationships between individuals within societies and
between different cultures; 4) to demonstrate the diversity that exists in the world today. Since this is an intro level course that
meets USG core requirements and lays the foundation for further study of anthropology, there are no prerequisites. Teaching
methods: This course will employ full-class lectures supplemented by videos and occasionally discussions.
Learning objectives: By the end of this course, students will be able to
1) Compare and contrast Western lifeways with those of more traditional non-western societies
2) Critically asses why cultural practices differ between societies
3) Understand how Western attempts to civilize, modernize, and globalize the world have impacted the non-west
4) Compare and contrast the social and behavioral patters of non-human primates, hominids, and modern humans
5) Discuss physical and behavioral similarities and differences between various hominid species
6) Understand how archaeological evidence is used to address the origins of families, villages, cities, and states
Required books:
Ember, Ember, and Peregrine (2009) Human evolution and culture. Prentice Hall/Pearson: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Other readings: Available on Desire2Learn
Assignments:
3 Exams (2 in class, 1 during finals): Multiple Choice, True/False
4 pop quizzes on readings
Grading: Value of Assignments: TOTAL POINTS FOR THE COURSE IS 1000
3 Tests: 250 points each TOTAL OF 750 POINTS (multiply EACH exam grade by 2.5)
4 pop quizzes on readings: 25 points each, 100 points total.
Attendance: Required. (See Rule 1 below for more info.) Max number of points is 150
0 absences is 150 points
1 to 2 absences is 110 points
3 to 4 absences is 70 points
6 absences is automatic failure of the course, regardless of mathematical grade
Extra Credit: NOT ADDED TO EXAMS OR PAPERS. ADDED TO FINAL POINT TOTAL.
Each extra credit you hand in it worth 10 points. You can earn a maximum of 50 points.
What counts: Campus events such as concerts, lectures, performances, film series, rallies (not related to sports or
school spirit ) Community events: Arts/ethnic festivals, museum visits, symphony, opera, volunteer work
What doesn’t count: pop/rock/blue grass/country/blues concerts, parades, cook-outs, county or state fairs, donating
blood, walk-a-thons, Pride, most movies, things you are already doing for other classes
Earning extra credit requires ticket stubs, programs, or typed write-ups. Pictures of events and handwritten summaries
are not accepted.
Important Dates:
Feb 13: Test 1
Mar 13: Test 2
Final Exam:
For 10 am class: TBA
For 1130 am class: TBA
Expectations, Academic Honor, Special Needs, and Learning Support (also known as THE RULES):
1) Attendance . Six absences and you fail the course automatically--even if you stay in the course, do all the work and have an A
average. To get any absence excused and discounted, you must provide an excuse from a doctor, lawyer, employer, coach, or advisor.
An email from you does not count as an excuse. The excuse must come from one of the sources listed above or another credible
individual. Please see me if you know now that you will need to miss classes for athletics, conferences, auditions, performances, or
other activities. Coaches and advisors can send a list of names and/or a schedule instead of providing written excuses. The penalties for
absences are outlined in the “Value of Assignments” section above.
2) D2L Readings are required. They will appear on your exams and be the basis for pop-quizzes.
3) Written assignments—including extra credits-- will not be accepted on cd’s, floppies, or through email submissions without
prior arrangements. When prior arrangements are made, assignments can be submitted via email and must be in Microsoft Word. All hard
copies of written assignments (including extra credits) must be typed or done on a computer, double-spaced in 12 point font.
4)Exam conflicts. I will make accommodations if you have more than two exams on the same day. Final Exams will be rescheduled only in
the event of conflict with another course. You must prove that any exam conflict is real by showing me the syllabi for the courses
involved. I will not move exams because of plane tickets, concert tickets, or other personal needs. If I discover another professor is not
following the final exam schedule, I will report it to the dean. In short, exams are not given at your convenience or at the convenience of
other faculty. They are given as scheduled unless there is a real, proven conflict. Do not come to me on the day in question or after the
exam and ask for rescheduling. Skipping an exam without demonstrated reason will result in failing it. Papers are due regardless of exam
schedules.
5) Missed exams and pop-quizzes:
a) Exams will be made up within in one week of the scheduled exam date, or you FAIL the exam.
b) Pop-quizzes cannot be made up. So come to come to class and do the readings.
6) Academic Honesty: Do your own work. Study for your own tests. You could fail an assignment or the entire course for engaging in any
of the following activities:
a) You may not help one another or use outside materials on exams and pop-quizzes.
b) Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you hand in a write-up for a Films on Demand video, you must write your own summary. You many
not cut and paste the summary form the film database, a website, or a published, book, journal, or magazine.
c) You may not share test questions or answer sheets with other students in your section or another section. You also may not consult test
answer sheets or questions from previous semesters.
7) Special Needs and Learning Support: If you have a learning disability, please let me know as soon as possible so we can make
arrangements for your individual needs. Please contact the Office of Testing and Disability Services (706-737-1469) to get the necessary
documentation forwarded to me.
8) These rules apply to everybody equally.
9) I reserve the right to bend the rules as needed because each case is different and special circumstances arise. Please talk to
me about any conflicts you may have and come to me well in advance of any anticipated conflicts. In the event of unexpected
catastrophe, illness, mental or emotional breakdown, or family issues, I will do my best to find ways to work around them. Please talk
to me if something is going on so I can take actions that will help you complete this course successfully. However, for average daily
life issues and the workload for your other courses, you are expected to manage your time wisely. If you often feel overwhelmed by
the pressures of school and daily life, please contact the Counseling Center (706-737-1471).
Class Schedule: Can change anytime for any reason
I. Introductory classes
Jan 7: Class 1: Introductions, Going over Syllabus
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Jan 9: No class: Professor in Quebec for Conference
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Jan 14: Class 2: What is Anthro? Part 1
Readings: Ember Chapter 1
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Jan 16: Class 3: What is Anthro? Part 2, Cultural Anthro
Readings: Ember Chapter 9, 10
Jan 21: Class 4: Four Fields Part 2: Archaeology and Linguistics
Readings: Ember Chapter 2
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Jan 23: Class 5: Four Fields Part 3: Physical Anthropology
Readings: Ember Chapter 3,4
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Jan 28: Class 6: Primates: What is a Primate?
Readings: Ember Chapter 5
*Cartmill, Matt (2002) Explaining Primate Origins. In Physical Anthropology: Original Readings in
Method and Practice. P.N. Peregrine, C.R. Ember, ad M. Ember, eds., pp. 42-53. Prentice Hall: Upper
Saddle River, NJ.
*Silk, J.B. and R. Boyd. (2002) Why are Primates so Smart? In Physical Anthropology: Original Readings in Method and
Practice. P.N. Peregrine, C.R. Ember, ad M. Ember, eds., pp. 53-68. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
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Jan 30: Class 7: Film: Monkey in the Mirror
II: Origins Of Humans and Culture: Physical Anthro and Archaeology
Feb 4: Class 8: The Hominids & Hominid Skulls
Readings: Ember Chapters 6, 7
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Feb 6: Class 9: Film: Becoming Human, Part 1
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Feb 11: Class 10: Film: Becoming Human, Part 3
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Feb 13: Class 11: Test 1
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Feb 18: Class 12. Social Systems: Primates as Hominid Models
*Lewin, R. (1999) Hunter or Scavenger? In Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction, pp. 149-154.
Blackwell” Malden, MA.
*Stanford, C.B. (2002) Chimpanzee Hunting Behavior and Human Evolution. In Physical Anthropology:
Original Readings in Method and Practice. P.N. Peregrine, C.R. Ember, ad M. Ember, eds., pp. 90-103.
Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.
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Feb 20: Class 13: Communication
*Savage-Rumabugh and Wallman (2009) Can apes learn language? In Taking Sides: Clashing Views in
Anthropology, pp. 106-121. McGraw-Hill: Boston, MA
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Feb 25: Class 14: Film: A Conversation with Koko
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Feb 27: Class 15: Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology
Readings: Ember, Ch 19, 431-433
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Mar 4: Class 16: Forensic case studies
Selections from:
Gould, Richard (2007) Disaster Archaeology. University of Utah Press: Salt Lake City, UT
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Mar 6: Class 17: ARCHAEOLOGY LAB DAY
III. Origins of Civilization: Archaeology and Linguistics
Mar 11: Class 18: Agriculture and the Origins of States
Readings: Ember Chapter 8
Mar 13: Class 19: Test 2
IV. Putting it all together: Cultural Anthro, Archaeology, Physical Anthro
Mar 18: Class 20: Kinship, Marriage, and families
Readings: Ember Chapter 14
*Goldstein, M. (2006) When Brothers Share a Wife. In Annual Editions, Anthropology, E. Angeloni, ed. McGraw-Hill: Boston,
MA.
*Stone and Wood (2009) Is Gay Marriage Natural? In Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Anthropology, pp. 216-226.
McGraw-Hill: Boston, MA
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Mar 20: Class 21: Film: National Geographic’s Taboo: Sections of Episodes titled “Blood Bonds” and “Marriage”
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Mar 25: Class 22: Economy and Subsistence
Readings : Ember Chapter 11
*Whiteley, Peter. (2006) Ties that Bind. In Annual Editions, Anthropology, E. Angeloni, ed.,McGraw-Hill: Boston, MA.
*Cronk, Lee (2003) Reciprocity and The Power of Giving. In Conformity and Conflict, J.P Spradley and D.W. McCurdy,
eds., pp. 157-161. Allyn and Beacon.
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Mar 27: Class 23: Politics:
Readings: Ember Chapter 15; Chap 12 pp. 277-286, 292-293
Apr 1: Class 24: Race and ethnicity
Readings: Ember Chapter 12, pp. 286-289
* Gill G.W. (2000) Does Race Exist?: A Proponent’s Perspective. In Annual Editions: Physical Anthropology 06/07, E.
Angeloni, ed., pp. 166-167. McGraw-Hill, Dubuque, IA.
*Marks, J. (1994) Black, White, Other. In Annual Editions: Physical Anthropology 06/07, E. Angeloni, ed., pp. 163-165.
McGraw-Hill, Dubuque, IA
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Apr 3: Class 25: Origins of War
*LeBlanc, Stephen A. (2006) The Prehistory of Warfare. In Annual Editions, Anthropology, E. Angeloni, ed. McGrawHill: Boston, MA.
APR 8-10: NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
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Apr 15: Class 26: Reasons for War
*Karak and Oberschall (2009) Is ethnic conflict inevitable? In Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Anthropology, pp. 293316. McGraw-Hill: Boston, MA
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Apr 17: Class 27: Film: Sand and Sorrow (Darfur genocide)
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Apr 22 : Class 28: Globalization: Modern Global System
Readings: Ember Chapters 17, 18
*Bodley, J. (2006) The Price of Progress. In Annual Editions, Anthropology, E. Angeloni, ed. McGraw-Hill:Boston, MA.
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Apr 24: Flex day Classes could be bumped back at any time during the semester due to snow days or an emergency or an
illness that affects Dr. Trunzo’s ability to be in class.