Anthropology 185
GLOBAL ENCOUNTERS:
Comparing Worldviews and Values Cross-Culturally
Fall 2013
Professor Cecilia Van Hollen
MW 11:40–12:35; Maxwell Auditorium
Office: 331 Eggers; phone: 443-5102; email: cvanholl@maxwell.syr.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 10-12, or by appointment
Teaching Assistants:
Retika Rajbhandari: rrajbhan@syr.edu
Taapsi Ramchandani: taramcha@syr.edu
Sean Reid: shreid@syr.edu
Erik Siedow: esiedow@syr.edu
Course objectives
In today’s world the flow of people, microbes, goods, images, and knowledge across
borders of all kinds has become more constant and rapid than ever. It is therefore
important to learn about and deepen your understanding of cultural values and social
relationships different from your own and to understand the role that cultural values play
in global social conflicts of our times. It is also crucial to understand how your lives are
intricately connected to those of people around the world through global socio-cultural
processes.
In this course we will examine these global socio-cultural encounters by focusing on the
human body. We will consider three major aspects of such global encounters. The first
segment of the course will look at what happens when different systems of medical
knowledge about the body (and mind) converge. We will do so through a case study of
Hmong immigrants in the U.S. and see what happens when Hmong beliefs in shamanism
meet North American beliefs about biomedicine. In the second part of the course we will
shift our attention to the relationship between globalization and disease by considering
how global social flows affect disease patterns and how people in diverse parts of the
world respond the same disease in culturally distinct, yet globally informed ways. We
will do this through an ethnographic study of responses to HIV/AIDS in Haiti and the
United States (and beyond). Finally, the third part of the course, will spotlight issues
concerning globalization, technology, and body parts. We will do so through an
exploration of two different phenomena: 1. the global flow of human organs, and 2. the
global production of human babies through surrogacy.
The course’s main objectives are to help you:
 understand cultural values and ideas different from your own and gain new insight
into your own cultural values
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understand the role that cultural values and ideas play in contemporary social
conflicts
understand the role that social relationships play in structuring people’s lives
globally
apply your knowledge of cultural difference and social relations to address these
conflicts
learn some of the basic concepts and methods of socio-cultural anthropology
improve your writing
This course is a “Writing Intensive” course. Assignments are, therefore, designed
according to the requirements of the College of Arts & Sciences’ Writing Intensive
program to enable you to develop effective writing skills.
Required Readings:
Books
Fadiman, Anne
1997 The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American
Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Farmer, Paul
2006 (1992) AIDS and Accusation: Haiti and the Geography of Blame. Berkeley:
University of California Press.
All the books are available for purchase in the SU Bookstore (303 University Place;
phone: 443-9901) and are on 2-hour reserve in the Bird Library Reserve Room.
Articles
There are also several articles required for the course which can be found on the course’s
Blackboard site under the category “Content.”
Required Films:
~ A Closer Walk: A film about AIDS in the World (2003; 85 minutes). By Robert
Bilheimer. Produced by Direct Cinema Limited, Santa Monica, California.
(Anthropology Department #169).
~Legacy of the Spirits (1985; 52 minutes). Produced and Directed by Karen Kramer.
Erzulie Films (Bird Library VC6407).
~Made in India: A Film about Surrogacy. 2010. Rebecca Haimowitz & Vaishali Sinha,
Women Make Movies. (97 mins) (South Asia Center 192)
~ Organs for Sale. Directed by Steen Jensen. Produced by Søren Klovberg. DR TV.
Filmakers Library. New York, NY. 2003. (58 mins.). (Bird VC 17093)
~ The Split Horn: Life of a Hmong Shaman in America (2001; 56 minutes) Directed by
Taggart Siegal. (Anthropology Department #163)
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Course Requirements:
1. Keep up with the reading.
In the syllabus, the readings are listed under the lecture dates to which the readings
correspond. You need to be sure to have done the readings before coming to the lectures.
The readings will also be crucial for your weekly section discussions. You will need to
have done all the week’s readings before coming to section. Therefore, if your section
meets before the lectures, you will need to complete all the week’s readings in advance of
the lectures in order to discuss the readings in section.
We will evaluate your reading through the quality of your participation in section
meetings and lectures, pop quizzes, and through your incorporation of reading materials
in your papers.
2. Attend lectures and films.
Lectures and films are critical components of the course. We expect to see ideas from
lectures and films incorporated into your papers and into section discussions. Most of the
films are located in the Bird library, the Anthropology Department, or the South Asia
Center. You will need to give your TA at least one week’s notice to set up a viewing of a
missed film if it is not available in Bird library.
3. Participate in sections
25% of your final grade is based on your participation in sections. Section meetings
process the week’s material in a variety of ways, including discussion, debates, role-plays,
in-class writing exercises, and pop quizzes. This part of your grade is divided into two
parts:
Section attendance………………………….………….10% of final grade
An attendance sheet will be circulated in every section meeting. Missing section is
excusable only for reasons of health (with a note from the health services or doctor) or other
required absences such as travel due to being on an SU sports team (with written approval).
Grades for section attendance are determined as follows:
1 unexcused absence………………………………A
2 unexcused absences……………………………..B
3 unexcused absences…………………………..…C
4 unexcused absences…………………………......D
5 or more unexcused absences…………………….F
Participation in section………………………….15% of final grade
Your TA will pay attention to the frequency and quality of your participation in group
discussions and activities. The criteria he or she will use to evaluate your participation
include the following:
 How prepared are you? Have you done the reading?
 How well can you incorporate ideas from lectures and films with ideas from the
readings?
 Do you try to speak at least once each meeting?
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Do you articulate your ideas clearly?
Do you listen to and respect the views of your co-students?
4. Write three (3) Topic Papers...………………………50% of final grade
Topic Papers 1 & 2 are each 4 pages and worth 15% of your total grade.
Topic Paper 3 is 6 pages and worth 20% of your total grade.
4.a. The Topic Paper defined
Each Topic Paper corresponds to one segment of the course. Near the start of each
segment, two Topic Paper questions will be posted on the Blackboard site. You will
choose one and write your paper in response to that question. You should decide which
one is most interesting to you soon after we have begun the segment. That question will
then guide your writing of the Topic Paper: you should treat the material in the segment
(lectures, readings, discussions and films) as evidence that will help you answer the
question.
4.b. Topic Paper due dates
The due dates for the Topic Papers are listed here and are also included in weekly
assignments in the syllabus below.
Topic Paper I:
Due on Monday, Sept. 25th in lecture at the beginning of class.
Topic Paper II:
Due on Monday, October 21st in lecture at the beginning of class.
Topic Paper III:
Due on Wednesday, December 4th in lecture at the beginning of class.
*There is no rewrite option for this paper*
4.c. Length and format of Topic Papers:
Topic Papers 1&2 are each worth 15% of your grade and should be 4 pages long, not
including your title page and bibliography page. Topic Paper 3 is worth 20% of your
grade and should be 6 pages long, not including your title page and bibliography page.
You must include page numbers on your papers. You must have a separate title page
which includes the title of your essay, your name, course number (ANT 185), professor’s
name, and the name of your TA. Print papers in 12-point Times Roman font, unjustified,
double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Papers must be stapled in the upper left-hand
corner. No binders, sleeves, or folders. The explanation of reference formatting will be
included in the assignment with the questions which will be posted on Blackboard.
4.d.Rewriting option: You have the option to do one re-write. If you wish, you may rewrite one of the first two Topic Papers. [NOTE: you will not have the option to re-write
Topic Paper III or the Ethnographic Research Paper since they are due at the end of the
semester.] A student wishing to re-write a paper must meet with his or her TA within two
days of receiving the graded paper. No re-writes will be accepted without meeting your
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TA in person. The revised paper is due one week following the meeting with the TA. The
final grade of the paper will be the average of the first grade and the second grade on that
paper.
5. Ethnographic paper ………………………………..25% of final grade
“Ethnographic” means description of a cultural practice based on direct observation
and in-depth interviewing with direct participants in the practice. In this 10-page
paper you will provide a descriptive account of some practice and its
accompanying ideas and beliefs, as it occurs in a group of people with which you
are unfamiliar. It is important that you be relatively unfamiliar with the group, in
order to maximize the “cross-cultural” experience. The paper must be based on at
least one (1) session of participant observation and at least three (3) face-to-face
interviews. You cannot choose as a subject anything which is entirely secret and
closed to you, illegal, or geographically inaccessible.
The paper has four steps:
1. Identify a group.
You begin by identifying a group in which you are interested and to which you
have access (this is important). The group can be any interacting set of people
who share some level of identification with each other. Participants in or members
of the group should engage in some consistent activities, practices, or beliefs that
are distinctive of the group. Thus, you might focus on a religious group (e.g.,
Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, pagans, etc.); a national or
ethnic group (e.g., Pakistanis, Uzbeks, Poles, Italians, Onondagas, Hopis, AngloAmericans); a class-based group (e.g., super-rich; suburban middle class;
industrial working class, etc.); a regional group (e.g., US southern, Texan,
southern Californian, South Asian, Eastern European, etc.); a sub-cultural group
(e.g., Straight Edge, vegan, pierced, etc.); a musical “tribe” (folk, metal, hip hop,
country, reggae, etc.); an “in” group (club, sport team, secret society, club,
fraternity, etc.). Again: you must have a way to gain access to the group. That is,
you should be able to think of someone who can help introduce you to members
of the group. Begin with someone — a friend, relative, roommate, co-student —
who can be your contact and guide and who may become your “key informant.”
Once you have decided on the group, you will need to consider what exactly it is
you would like to learn about the group. That will be the basis of your Research
Question. The Research Question will then determine which research methods are
best suited to answer your basic question.
2. Write a Research Project Proposal.
I will discuss the research project in lecture and will explain what is expected.
On October 9thth you must give your TA (in lecture) a one-page research
project proposal. In it, you must discuss the research question, significance,
methodology, and preliminary bibliography (full assignment will be posted on
Blackboard)
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3. Research the paper.
You must participate directly in the practice you are studying, and interview
insiders to the group about the practice. The interviews must be no briefer than 30
minutes in length and should be closer to an hour long.
4. Write and hand in the paper.
Due on Monday, December 9th in the TA Bay in the basement of Eggers
There is no re-write option for this paper. The Ethnographic Paper must be 10
pages long, not including the title page and bibliography page. You must have a
separate title page which includes the title of your essay, your name, course
number (ANT 185), professor’s name, and the name of your TA. Print papers in
12-point Times Roman font, unjustified, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.
Papers must be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. No binders, sleeves, or
folders. The explanation of reference formatting will be included in the
assignment with the questions which will be posted on Blackboard.
5. Orally present the results of your ethnographic research in section.
Your TA will provide you with a schedule for an oral presentation of your
research project towards the end of the semester. Evaluation of the presentations
will be factored into the section participation grade.
Lateness policy for Papers
A late paper (Topic or Ethnographic) will be graded down one grade for every day it is
late, including weekends.
Grade distribution:
Attendance and participation in lecture and sections:
Ethnographic research paper:
Three Topic Papers: (Topic Papers 1&2=15% each; Topic Paper 3=20%)
Total: ………………………………………………………
25 %
25 %
50 %
100%
General Course Policies
Academic courtesy:
All students are expected to follow simple rules of academic courtesy to your fellow
students and instructors. Please come to class on time to avoid disrupting the class. Once
class begins, you must refrain from personal conversations. You must put away all noncourse reading materials (e.g. newspapers). Turn off and put away all cell phones and
MP3 players, and laptop computers. Please avoid premature preparations to leave class;
your instructor will let you know when class is over. Eating is not allowed during class.
You may be asked to leave the class for the day if you do not follow these rules.
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Laptop policy: Laptop use in class is not permitted.
Plagiarism: We do not tolerate plagiarism or any other forms of cheating. If we find a
case of cheating, we will give you an F on the assignment, possibly for the course, and
immediately report you to the relevant college administrator at which point you could
choose to have a hearing before the college’s students’ standard committee. For more
information on plagiarism and the Syracuse University policy on academic integrity can
be found at: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu/ It is your responsibility to review this
policy carefully and to abide by it.
Students with Disabilities:
Students who are in need of disability-related academic accommodations must register
with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), 804 University Avenue, Room 309, 315443-4498. Students with authorized disability-related accommodations should provide
current Accommodation Authorization Letter from ODS to the instructor and review
those accommodations with the instructor. Accommodations, such as exam
administration, are not provided retroactively; therefore, planning for accommodations as
early as possible is necessary. For further information, see the ODS website,
http://disabilityservices.syr.edu/
Religious holidays: SU’s religious observances policy, found at
http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm, recognizes the diversity of
faiths represented among the campus community and protects the rights of students,
faculty, and staff to observe religious holy days according to their tradition. Under the
policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work
requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance provided they notify their
instructors (for this course this would be your TA) before the end of the second week of
classes. For fall and spring semesters, an online notification process is available through
MySlice/Student Services/Enrollment/My Religious Observances from the first day of
class until the end of the second week of class. We will adjust oral presentations around
any holidays that you miss, pending your submission through the on-line process.
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Syllabus:
Week 1:
Mon. August 26: Introduction
Wed. August 28: Anthropology and the Concept of Culture
Read:
Ember & Ember “The Concept of Culture” (Blackboard)
Horace Miner “Body Ritual among the Nacerima” (1956) (Blackboard)
Week 2:
Mon. Sept. 2: Labor Day (no class)
Wed. Sept. 4: Ethnographic Research/Fieldwork & Ethics
Read:
American Anthropological Association Statement on Ethics: Principles of
Professional Responsibility (2012):
http://www.aaanet.org/profdev/ethics/upload/Statement-on-Ethics-Principles-ofProfessional-Responsibility.pdf (Blackboard)
Be sure to read the online version so that you can access the links.
Read: Ethnographic Research Project Assignment: (Blackboard)
I will discuss the Ethnographic Research Project Assignment and Ethics in class.
Read these on Blackboard before coming to class.
Begin Reading Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
TOPIC I:
GLOBALIZATION and MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: Hmong Shamanism and
Biomedicine in the U.S.
Week 3:
Mon. Sept. 9:
Read:
Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Preface and Chaps. 1— 7
Wed. Sept. 11:
Read:
Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You, Chaps. 8 – 10
Film: The Split Horn: Life of a Hmong Shaman in America (56
mins)
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Week 4:
Mon. Sept. 16:
Read:
Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You, Chaps. 11 — 13
Wed. Sept. 18:
Read:
Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You, Chaps. 14 — 16
Film:
Legacy of the Spirits (1985; 52 minutes).
Week 5:
Mon. Sept. 23:
Read:
Fadiman, The Spirit Catches You, Chaps. 17 — 19
Wed. Sept. 25:
Guest Speaker: Vonn Lee (Member of the Hmong-American community in
Syracuse)
Assignment:
Paper on TOPIC I to be handed in at the beginning of class.
Topic II:
GLOBALIZATION and DISEASE: HIV/AIDS--Responses from Haiti and the U.S.
Week 6:
Mon. Sept. 30:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Preface (2006 and 1992), Chapters 1-6
Wed. Oct. 2:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Chapter 7-10
Film: A Closer Walk (selections)
Week 7:
Mon. Oct. 7:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Chapter 11—14
Film: A Closer Walk (selections)
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Wed. Oct. 9:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Chapters 15-17
Assignment: Ethnographic Research Project Proposal due in lecture
Week 8:
Mon. Oct. 14:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Chapters 18-19
Film
Legacy of the Spirits (1985; 52 minutes). Produced and Directed by Karen
Kramer. Erzulie Films (Bird Library VC6407).
Wed. Oct. 16:
Read:
Farmer, AIDS & Accusations Chapters 20-22
TOPIC III:
GLOBALIZATION, TECHNOLOGY, and BODY PARTS:
Organ Transplantation and Globalization
Week 9:
Mon. Oct. 21:
Read:
Lock, Margaret “Deadly Disputes: Hybrid Selves and the Calculation of Death in
Japan and North America” (1998) (Blackboard)
In Class:
“Proposed Changes In Organ Donation Stir Debate” Rob Sloan, NPR, June 24,
2013 (4 min 34 sec)
Assignment
Paper on TOPIC II to be handed in at the beginning of class.
Wed. Oct. 23:
Read:
Sharp, Lesley “Organ Transplantation as a Transformative Experience:
Anthropological Insights into the Restructuring of the Self” (1995) (Blackboard)
Sharp, Lesley “Commodified Kin: Death, Mourning, and Competing Claims on
the Bodies of Organ Donors in the United States” (2001) (Blackboard)
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Week 10:
Mon. Oct. 28.
Read:
Scheper-Hughes, Nancy “The Global Traffic in Human Organs” (2000)
(Blackboard)
Wed. Oct. 30:
Film:
Organs For Sale (2003) (58 mins)
Week 11:
Mon. Nov. 4:
Read:
Moniruzzaman, Monir “‘Living Cadavers’ in Bangladesh” (2012) (Blackboard)
Kierans, Ciara & Jessie Cooper “Organ Donation, Genetics, Race and Culture:
The Making of a Medical Problem” (2011) (Blackboard)
Surrogacy and Globalization
Wed. Nov. 6:
Read:
Ragoné, Helena “Chasing the Blood Tie: Surrogate Mothers, Adoptive Mothers and
Fathers” (1996) (Blackboard)
Roberts, Elizabeth (1998) “Examining Surrogacy Discourses: Between Feminine
Power and Exploitation” (Blackboard)
Week 12:
Mon. Nov. 11:
Read:
Sama Resource Group for Women and Health “Literature Review” from Birthing a
Market: A Study on Commercial Surrogacy (2012) (Blackboard)
Pande, Amrita “Not an ‘Angel’, Not a ‘Whore’: Surrogates as ‘Dirty’ Workers in
India” (2009) (Blackboard)
Wed. Nov. 13:
Film:
Made in India (2010) (97 mins)
Read
Reddy, Sunita & Imrana Qadeer “Medical Tourism in India: Progress or
Predicament?” (2010) (Blackboard)
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Week 13:
Mon. Nov. 18:
Film:
Made in India (2010) (97 mins)
Read
Pande, Amrita “Commercial Surrogacy in India: Manufacturing a Perfect MotherWorker” (2010) (Blackboard)
Wed. Nov. 20: No Class: American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting
Week 14: Thanksgiving Break: No Class
Week 15:
Mon. Dec. 2:
Read:
Banerjee, Amrita “Reorienting of the Ethics of Transnational Surrogacy as a
Feminist Pragmatist” (2010) (Blackboard)
Discuss articles by: Pande, Reddy & Qadeer, Banerjee
Wed. Dec. 4: Concluding Remarks
Teaching Evaluations to be completed on this day.
Assignment:
Topic Paper III to be handed in at the beginning of class.
Assignment
Monday, December 9th: Ethnographic Research Papers due before 5:00pm
These papers should be dropped off in the TA Bay in the basement of Eggers. You will find
a box labeled “ANT 185” with your TA’s name on it. Place the paper in the appropriate box.
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