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Spring 2016
ANT 101: The Human Condition
Section 3
Monday 6:30 pm- 9:15 pm
Cooper C3
Ms. Irene Ketonen
My office: Cooper M4 (2nd floor of Cooper Hall)
Email: ireneket@buffalo.edu (preferred), iketonen@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-5142
Office hours: M 4:30-5:30/Th 3:00-4:00 pm, or by appt.
This syllabus is a guide only, and may be modified at any point. It is your responsibility to
check your Brockport email every day for any updates/announcements.
Description: This course is an introduction to anthropology, the holistic study of humans. We
will examine the discipline's four subfields (and how these relate together), to provide an
understanding of ourselves as a biocultural species. Topics covered will include evolution,
culture, subsistence, reproduction, worldview, and the methods and contributions of
anthropology. “The Human Condition” is appropriate for both non-majors and students
considering an anthropology major.
Course Format: We will start with an explanation of what anthropology is, how its subfields
(physical, cultural, linguistic, and archaeology) form a whole, and how anthropologists do their
work. We will then proceed to discuss the themes of evolution and culture; followed by an
examination of how humans have adapted to different conditions, both physically and culturally.
The material will be covered through lectures, group work/discussion, reading assignments, and
films.
Student Education Goals:
1. To know the basic concepts, methods, and questions in each of the four fields of
anthropology.
2. Understanding how to apply anthropological concepts, methods and questions towards
real world problems concerning human variation, adaptation, evolution, and survival.
3. To understand the similarities and diversity within the human experience, and to gain
ability in comparative analysis.
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4. To appreciate and provide examples for the various roles that culture plays in the
development of society.
5. To compare and contrast concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
6. To read and critically analyze, understand, respond to, and synthesize a variety of texts
(scholarly, popular, etc.)
7. To demonstrate an ability to view the world from an anthropological perspective (i.e.,
holistically and bio-culturally).
Required Books: [this textbook is available in the Brockport bookstore]
Park, Michael Alan
2013 Introducing Anthropology: An Integrated Approach. Sixth Edition.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
The use of Kindle textbooks is permitted only with “plain” Kindles (for example, 6” E Ink,
Paperwhite Hi-Resolution). Kindle Fire, iPad Kindle apps, etc. are NOT permitted.
Other readings will be posted on Blackboard; you need to print them out, and bring them
with you to class on the day they are due.
Grading Summary:
Exams (2@25% each)
Film Journal
Quizzes
Class Participation
Total:
Grading Scale:
94-100= A
87-89 = B+
90-93= A84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
50%
30%
10%
10%
100%
77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C-
67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D-
≥ 59 = E
Goals Concerning Grades
If you know that you are required to achieve a specific grade in this class for an important
reason (for example, to keep a scholarship, to qualify for an internship or graduate school, etc.)
you MUST let me know about this as soon as possible. We will schedule a meeting outside of
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class time, in order to formulate a plan to help you achieve this goal. GRADES WILL NOT BE
CHANGED AFTER THE FINAL EXAM- NO EXCEPTIONS.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each session. It is important
that you not be late for class. Students who have two unexcused absences will receive a
lowered final grade (e.g., A = A-). Each additional unexcused absence will receive one further
lowered final grades (e.g., three unexcused absences, A = B+; four unexcused absences, A = B;
…12 unexcused absences, A = E). Absences will be excused for: a) written documented
illnesses of the student by a health professional (e-mailing me, or telling me, is not sufficient;
you must provide a medical note indicating the date(s) of the illness), b) official representation
of the College, c) death of a close relative, d) religious holiday, and e) other circumstances
truly and completely beyond the control of the student, as determined by me. You are
responsible for keeping track of your absences- there will be no “warning” for excessive
absences. Students who arrive late to class must inform me at the end of the class to make sure
they are not marked absent that day. Students who must leave early on a particular day need
to notify me before the class session begins, otherwise you will be marked absent for that day.
Class Participation: Class participation includes attendance, groupwork, and participation during
lecture. Students who come to class on time, do not have an excessive number of unexcused
absences, and participate in groupwork will receive a “B.” In order to receive an “A,” you must
also participate during lecture. This refers to raising your hand to ask questions about, or to
comment on, the material covered during lecture. Students who arrive late, have many
unexcused absences, or do not participate in groupwork will receive a “C” or below.
Email Policy:
1. If the information you require can be found in another source, such as this syllabus or on
Blackboard, it is your responsibility to find it yourself. Read the syllabus carefully.
2. If you want to discuss your assignments or any matters related to this course and cannot
attend office hours, you can request an alternative appointment by email. Please remember to
leave sufficient time to get a reply (do not, for example, expect a request emailed at midnight
for an appointment the next morning to be answered in time).
3. Please sign all emails using your full name (it is not automatically visible with Brockport
email, and many of you have the same initials). Please indicate why you are emailing in the
subject line (for example, “question about exam.”)
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4. Emails sent Friday evening or over the weekend may not be answered before Monday
morning.
Quizzes: Sometimes, you will be given a question about one of the readings due for that day.
You will have 5 minutes to answer, and are expected to write a few short sentences. The grades
will be a 2 (complete, correct answer), a 1 (incomplete answer) or a 0 (no answer, or incorrect).
If you think you have been graded unfairly, you can bring me a typed copy of the passage from
the book where you found your answer by the NEXT class session, and I will change your grade
if you are correct. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
Film Journal: In addition to “N!ai: the Story of a !Kung Woman,” we will watch 5 other films. You
need to choose 3 of these other films to write journal entries on. You CANNOT do a journal on
“N!ai,” because we are going to discuss it together in class. I recommend taking notes while
watching the film (so you remember what happened in it), and then later writing 2 pages
describing how what you saw in the film relates to themes discussed in class and in your
readings. You will receive a separate directions sheet for this assignment.
Expected behavior: You are expected to pay attention and to be courteous. Students who
engage in insulting behavior to the instructor or other students, disruptive behavior, texting, or
unrelated conversations may be asked to leave class and will possibly receive an overall
reduction of one whole letter grade subtracted from their final grade. Cell phones and all other
electronic devices must be turned off (or put on vibrate only) while attending class. It is the sole
responsibility of the student to ensure that this occurs. Laptops are allowed only for students
with official documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).
Academic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered
include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz,
plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Please
familiarize yourself with the college policies on academic dishonesty.
Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities may be entitled to specific
accommodations. SUNY Brockport’s Office for Students with Disabilities makes this
determination. Please contact the OSD at (585) 395-5409 or osdoffice@brockport.edu to
inquire about obtaining an official letter to the course instructor detailing any approved
accommodations (including the use of laptops). The student is responsible for providing the
instructor with an official letter.
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Gender Discrimination: Gender discrimination and sexual harassment are prohibited in class.
Title IX legislation requires the College to provide gender equity in all areas of campus life. If
you or someone you know has experienced gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual
assault, we encourage you to seek assistance and to report the incident through resources
available at www.brockport.edu/titleix/index.html. Confidential assistance is available at Hazen
Center for Integrated Care. For these and other regulations governing campus life, please see
all of our Student Polices at www.brockport.edu/policies/index.php.
ANT 101.03
Spring 2016
Date
Topic
January 25th
What is anthropology?
February 1st
February 8th
Introducing Anthropology
Themes of Anthropology:
Evolution and Culture
Humans as Primates
Human Evolution
February 15th
February 22nd
February 29th
March 28th
Reproduction and
Sexuality
MIDTERM EXAM
SPRING BREAK
Biological Diversity and
Race
Families and Subsistence
April 4th
April 11th
Language
Religion
April 18th
April 25th
May 2nd
Cultural Change
Evolution of our Behavior
Anthropology in Today’s
World
FINAL EXAM
March 7th
March 14th
March 21st
May 9th
Readings, Activities,
Assignments
Syllabus and Introductions,
Film: “N!ai: Story of a !Kung
Woman”
Ch. 1, Ch. 2
Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Blackboard
Reading 1
Ch. 5, Film: “Clever Monkeys”
Ch. 6, Blackboard Reading 2,
Film: “Walking with Cavemen”
Ch. 7, Blackboard Reading 3
MIDTERM EXAM
NO CLASS
Ch. 8, Blackboard Reading 4,
Film: “Give Us Our Skeletons”
Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Blackboard
Reading 5, Film: “Kingdom of
Women: The Matriarchal
Mosuo of China”
Ch. 11, Blackboard Reading 6
Ch. 12, Blackboard Reading 7,
Film: “In Pursuit of the Siberian
Shaman”
Ch. 13, FILM JOURNALS DUE
Ch. 14, Blackboard Reading 8
Ch. 15
7:40-9:40 pm, Cooper C3