ANTH 102: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 credit hours
ANTH 102-C01, TR, 8:00-9:20 am, Hepworth 108
ANTH 102-P03 (Video), MWF, 11:00-11:50 am, Evergreen C74
ANTH 102-C05A (Hybrid), Tue, 2:30-3:50 pm, Hepworth 108
Semester/year: Spring 2016
Instructor: James C. Woods
E-Mail Address: jwoods@csi.edu
Office Location: Hepworth 124
Office Hours: posted online
Office Phone: 208-732-6862
1.
Course Description:
This course is a cross-cultural examination of the diverse lifeways that humans have created around the
world; and an analysis of the similarities and differences that exist among them. Primary topics include
the nature and beginnings of human culture, language, growth and development, subsistence and
economic systems, sex and marriage, family and household, kinship and descent, social groupings,
political organization, religion and the supernatural, the arts, and cultural change.
2.
Pre-requisites:
There are no pre-requisites for this class.
3.
Required Textbooks and Supplies:
Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge, by William A. Haviland, 14th ed., Harcourt Brace. Note:
You are not required to bring the text to class. However, the text provides the basic outline of the
course and we will follow the content closely chapter-by-chapter. While much of the text will be
reviewed in class, some chapters will be more thoroughly covered than others. However, you are
expected to read the chapters and assimilate the information. Some exam questions may come from
your reading of the text, and may not be reviewed in detail in class.
4.
Course Objectives:
This course will provide an overview of the diversity of contemporary human cultures, occasionally
referring to prehistoric peoples for comparison. The underlying approach is to use the scientific method
to compare and contrast different cultures in an effort to explain the nature of human diversity. The
anthropological approach attempts to avoid ethnocentrism (judging by one’s own subjective cultural
standards) and instead use cultural relativism (explaining diversity by using objective, comparative
methods). The instructor will use a variety of presentation techniques including lectures, videos,
demonstrations, and possibly guest speakers to illustrate specific points. In addition, since this may be
the only anthropology course many students take in their college career, there will be an emphasis on
providing an overview of the field, its several sub-disciplines, and relationship to the other humanities
and sciences.
5.
General Education Philosophy and Student Learning Outcomes
Philosophy statement:
General education in Social Science improves the student’s ability to understand, interpret, and
apply knowledge for evaluating and valuing human behavior.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will develop an appreciation for the importance of understanding human behavior.
Students will understand the need to accurately interpret human behavior.
Students will understand the importance of historical events and their impact on society.
Students will analyze world and local governments and their impact on a global society.
Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of law and its impact on society.
Anthropology Program Goals:
Revised 1/12/16
Provide you with a survey of the history of anthropology and its major contributors.
Provide you with an overview of the sub-disciplines of anthropology, its current trends, and
specialized terminology used by anthropologists.
Instill in you an awareness of worldwide cultural diversity to help you appreciate the
commonality of mankind.
Introduce you to the methodology used by anthropologists.
Reinforce your reading, writing, and speaking skills to help prepare you for transfer to a fouryear college.
Goals for ANTH 102:
Provide you with a basic understanding of the historical development of the science of
anthropology, and familiarize you with some of the disciplines major contributors.
Help you distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations of human behavior.
Help you learn contemporary theories used in cultural anthropology.
Familiarize you with the terminology used in this discipline.
Show you the fascinating diversity of human culture and help you see how your cultural
practices relate to others worldwide.
(for anthropology majors especially) Help prepare you to transfer to an upper division program.
6.
Outcomes Assessment:
To accommodate different learning styles, a variety of assessment methods will be used in this
class to determine if you are achieving the above course goals and objectives. In-class short
essay quizzes consisting of one or two questions each will be used to measure your
understanding of course content including the textbook and supplementary videos. Completion
of several in-class charts will demonstrate your ability to sort complex information into
comparable categories. In-class discussions will be used to enhance and assess your ability to
verbally communicate anthropological concepts to others. Near the end of the semester, you
will be required to submit a paper wherein you create a fictitious but believable description of a
recently-discovered culture. This exercise will reinforce your writing skills. Lastly, written midterm and final exams will be used to determine your ability to synthesize course material.
7.
Policies and Procedures:
a.
Attendance policy. Attendance is required for this course. See the CSI student
handbook or csi.edu for institutional attendance policies.
b.
Class format. Approximately one chapter will be reviewed each week. The instructor will
provide a review of chapter readings and facilitate discussions using projected lecture
notes and other visual aids. Videos, slide programs, and demonstrations will also be
used when appropriate. An active interchange between all students and the instructor
will be encouraged.
c.
Hours of lecture each week. This class consists of approximately 3 hrs. lecture per week.
d.
Required assignments. First and foremost, you are required to read the textbook. Some
questions on quizzes may come from the text without review in the classroom, and the
text provides the basic organizational structure for the entire semester. It only takes an
hour or so to read each chapter, PLEASE be responsible about this most important course
requirement. Many assignments will be completed during class time. Some in-class
assignments will require your response to activities during class that day, so these cannot
be made up if you miss that class. Other required assignments include a “New Culture”
paper (discussed below) and a final exam.
e.
Late policy. Most assignments will not be accepted late.
f.
Plagiarism statement. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are violations of the
honesty policy found in the CSI General Catalog. Violators will receive a zero for the
work in question.
Revised 1/12/16
g.
h.
8.
Visitors. Some topics in this class may be unsuitable for children. Documentary videos
may include nudity, sexual themes, or violence.
Cell phones, music, laptops or notebooks: Please silence ringers on cell phones, save
conversations or texting for after class. Do not use musical devices during class time.
You may use computers for taking notes, but not for accessing any social media, or other
non-class-related activities.
Grading Practices:
a.
Testing procedure
Two quizzes 50 points each (100 points total)
Six essay responses to videos/demonstrations, 25 points each (150 points total)
Two “homework” writing exercises, 50 points each (100 points total)
Three comparison charts, 50 points each (150 points total)
“New Culture” Paper (200 points) see instructor’s web page (not Blackboard)
Final Exam (200 points)
TOTAL MAXIMUM POINTS, 900 (no extra credit)
b.
Grading Scale
You can earn a maximum of 900 points and your final grade will be determined
by the percentage of this total: A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%,
F=under 60%.
It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course.
A student may drop a course or all courses prior to the end of late registration (first Friday of the
term) without it being recorded on the student’s official transcript. A student initiated drop after
the late registration period is considered a withdrawal, and results in the grade of W.
(Students may drop courses online until the end of the late registration period. In order to
withdraw from one or more courses following late registration, a completed registration form is
required. Instructions on the form indicate when a signature of instructor and/or Financial Aid
advisor is required. The completed form may be submitted to Admissions & Records or any offcampus center.)
NOTE: Students may withdraw from courses until 75% of the course meetings have elapsed.
No course may be withdrawn from after 75% of the course has elapsed.
9.
CSI E-mail
10.
On-line course evaluation statement:
Since email is the primary source of written communication with students, all registered CSI
students get a college email account. Student e-mail addresses have the following format:
<address>@eaglemail.csi.edu where <address> is a name selected by the student as a part of
activating his/her account. Students activate their accounts and check their CSI e-mail online at
http://eaglemail.csi.edu. Instructors and various offices send messages to these student
accounts. Students must check their CSI e-mail accounts regularly to avoid missing
important messages and deadlines. At the beginning of each semester free training sessions are
offered to students who need help in using their accounts.
Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations
are very important to assist the teaching faculty in continually improving the course. Evaluations
are available online through MyCSI (http://mycsi.csi.edu) by clicking on the CoursEval tab in the
yellow navigation bar at the top of the MyCSI website once you are successfully logged-in.
Revised 1/12/16
Students will receive an email when the evaluation becomes available and then have up to two
weeks to submit the evaluation before the end of the course. The last day to complete an
evaluation is the last day of the course. Evaluations are anonymous and are not available to
faculty until after grades are submitted.
11.
Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. To
determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact Student Disability Services at
their first opportunity after registration for a class(es). Student Disability Services is located on
the second floor of the Taylor Building on the Twin Falls Campus. 208.732.6260 or e-mail Marita
DeBoard, mdeboard@csi.edu.
12.
CSI Campus Security:
15.
Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the policy of the College of Southern Idaho to comply with all federal, state and local authorities
requiring nondiscrimination, including but not limited to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil
Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Age Discrimination Act
of 1975, and Executive Orders 12898 (Environmental Justice) and 13166 (Limited English Proficiency).
College of Southern Idaho is an equal opportunity employer.
The College of Southern Idaho is committed to providing safe campuses for students. Currently
in place is an Emergency Notification System (RAVE) that provides information relating to an
emergency on any CSI campus. This information is delivered electronically and can be received
by all phone numbers and internet-equipped computers identified by the student. Registration is
automatic when students register and contact information can be customized online
(http://www.csi.edu/alert/) as necessary. The Twin Falls campus is also equipped with an
Emergency Warning “Siren” that can be heard outside of buildings across campus. In the event
of a signal, students arriving on campus should leave, and others should proceed with caution to
avoid the emergency area. Students are encouraged to report any emergency (medical,
criminal, behavioral, etc.) that is cause for action. Do this by calling 911 regardless of which
campus you are on. If you are on the Twin Falls campus, also call Campus Security at 732-6605
after placing the 911 call (the Twin Falls campus has security personnel available 24/7).
The college does not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject any individual to
discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disability, income, protected veteran status, limited English proficiency, or any other status protected
under applicable federal, state or local law.
For more information or if you believe you have been subject to discrimination on the basis of sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, or if you believe you have been subject to
discrimination on any other basis, please contact the College of Southern Idaho’s Title IX, ADA, and 504
Coordinator: Eric Nielson--Director of Human Resources, (208) 732-6267 Or Nolan Goubeaux- Associate
Dean of Student Affairs, (208) 732-6225.
16.
Academic Integrity Statement
The College values its mission as an educational institution. CSI students, faculty, staff, and
administration are expected to be honest in all aspects of their college education and employment. All
student work is evaluated with the assumption that the work presented is the individual’s own. All work
submitted is to be a representation of an individual’s own ideas, concepts, and understanding. Anything
less is unacceptable and is subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student and Faculty
Revised 1/12/16
Handbooks. Please see the Academic Integrity Website for more information.
13.
Topical Outline for the Course:
Dates*
Jan 19-22
Jan 25-29
Feb 1-5
Feb 8-12
Feb 15
Ch
1
2
3
4
Feb 16-19
5
Feb 22-26
6
Feb 29-Mar 4 7
Mar 7-11
8
Mar 14-18
9
Mar 21-25
Mar 28-Apr 1 10
Apr 4-8
11
Apr 11-15
12
Apr 18-22
13
Apr 25-29
14
Apr 29
May 2-6
May 9-11
Course Topics (follows text), some important dates in italics
The Essence of Anthropology
Characteristics of Culture
Ethnographic Research: History, Methods, Theories
Becoming Human: Origin and Diversity of Our Species
President’s Day, no classes
Language and Communication
Social Identity, Personality, and Gender
Patterns of Subsistence
Economic Systems
Sex, Marriage, and Family
Spring Break, no classes
Kinship and Descent
Groupings by Sex, Age, Common Interest, and Class
Politics, Power, and Violence
Spirituality, Religion, and the Supernatural
The Arts
“New Culture” paper due for all ANTH 102 classes
15/16 Processes of Change, Global Challenges, Local Responses, Role of
Anthropology
Finals week
ANTH 102-C01, Final is Thursday, May 12, 8-10 am
ANTH 102-P03V (video), Final is due Wednesday, May 11, by 2 pm
ANTH 102-C05A (hybrid), Final is Wednesday, May 11, 2-4 pm
*Some dates may change due to the informal nature of class discussions, related world events worthy
of class discussion, uncontrollable cancellations due to weather, etc.
Special Note to all ANTH 102 students: Please feel free to stop by my office anytime during
my office hours to chat. I am especially interested in any of your life experiences that I can use
to enhance my teaching of this particular class (travels to other places, friends or family in
other countries, experiences with other cultures, etc.).
Revised 1/12/16