Anth 1111 Introductory Cultural Anthropology                                Fall 2003

 

ASSIGNMENT and EXAM SCHEDULE

 

8/26    Introduction to the course

            What is Anthropology?                                             Kottak

 

8/28    Applying Anthropology                                             Kottak

            Ethics and Methods                                                  Kottak

 

9/2       Culture                                                                        Kottak

 

9/4       Human Diversity and “Race”                                    Kottak

 

September 8:  Last date to make changes to schedule that will not show up on transcript

 

9/9       Ethnicity                                                                      Kottak

 

9/11    Language and Communication                               Kottak

 

9/16    EXAM 1:  Chapters 1-7 of Kottak text and lecture material

 

9/18    Acknowledgements – Part I                         Powdermaker

 

9/23    Part II                                                                          Powdermaker

 

9/25    Part III                                                                          Powdermaker

 

9/30    Part IV                                                                        Powdermaker

 

10/2    Part V and Epilogue                                                 Powdermaker

 

10/7    EXAM 2:  Powdermaker text and lecture material

 

10/9    Making a Living                                                         Kottak

 

10/14 NO CLASS – Fall Break

 

10/16  Political Systems                                                      Kottak

10/21  Families, Kinship, and Descent                              Kottak

            Marriage                                                                    Kottak

 

10/23  Gender                                                                       Kottak

 

10/28  Religion                                                                      Kottak

 

October 29:  Last date to withdraw from courses with a W grade on transcript

 

10/30  EXAM 3:  Chapters 8-13 of Kottak text and lecture material

 

11/4    Introduction – Chapter 3                                           Shostak

 

11/6    Chapters 4-6                                                             Shostak

 

11/11  Chapters 7-9                                                             Shostak

 

11/13  Chapters 10-12                                                         Shostak

 

11/18  Chapters 13-Epilogue                                              Shostak

 

11/20  EXAM 4:  Shostak text and lecture material

 

11/25 The Arts                                                                      Kottak

 

11/27  NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break

 

12/2    The Modern World System                                      Kottak

 

12/4    Colonialism and Development                                Kottak

 

12/9    Cultural Exchange and Survival                               Kottak

 

12/11  EXAM 5:  Chapters 14-17 of Kottak text and lecture material

 

 

 

NOTE:  You will be taking the final exam (which is not cumulative) of the course in the week prior to the official Finals week.  I will be unavailable during Finals week and administering your exam early will allow me to have your grades in to the Registrar on time.  Please see me or email if this arrangement is problematic and we should be able to find a suitable compromise.
SYLLABUS

Anth 1111:  Introductory Cultural Anthropology

Fall 2003

 

TTh; 2:00 pm to 3:40 pm

Science 1020

4 credits

 

Julie Pelletier, Assistant Professor

Office:  18 Camden Hall (in the basement)

Office Phone:  589-6214

Office Hours:  TTh 10:00 am – 11:00 am, and by appointment

Email:  pelletja@morris.umn.edu

 

Lisa Rainbow, Teaching Assistant

Office:  18 Camden Hall

Office Hours:  M 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

                        W 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

                        F  2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, and by appointment

Email: rain0055@morris.umn.edu

 

Required Texts:         Cultural Anthropology, Tenth Ed., Conrad Phillip Kottak,

                                    2004

                                    Stranger and Friend:  The Way of an Anthropologist,                                                       Hortense Powdermaker, 1966

                                    Nisa: the Life and Words of a !Kung Woman, Marjorie                                                    Shostak, 1981/2003

 

During this course, you will be introduced to the theoretical perspectives, methods, and concepts developed and used by anthropologists. We will be examining other cultures as well as our own as we explore some of the universal conditions of human life:  marriage and kinship, conflict and inequality, ritual and belief.  You will be challenged to develop critical skills in examining theories about various human practices.  An emphasis on cross-cultural comparison will also serve as a tool to examine the power of ethnocentrism.  In addition, we will read an introspective account of her work as an anthropologist by Powdermaker and an ethnography by Shostak that explores the complex relationship between anthropologist and informant.

 

Course Grade:  Your course grade will be based primarily on the five exams.  The exams will consist primarily of multiple choice and true/false questions.  There may be opportunities to earn extra credit during the semester.  These will be announced during class and any extra points earned will be added to your total points.  Each exam will be worth 100 points for a total of 500 points which can be earned. 

 

Grading Scale:

A         90%    450 points                 

B+       86%    430 points

B         83%    415 points

B-        80%    400 points

C+       76%    380 points

C         73%    365 points

C-        70%    350 points

D+       66%    330 points

D         60%    300 points

F          299 points or less

 

Missed Work:  You will be able to take a regular make-up exam if you have a Chancellor’s Excuse.  Otherwise, make-up exams are in essay format and will be administered the day of the final exam.  Make arrangements with me for the make-up exam before or immediately after your excused absence.  There is no make-up for any extra credit assignments. 

 

Attendance:  Class attendance is not required but I will be taking roll and a significant percentage of the exam material is on class material, including films shown in class.   Furthermore, studies have shown that regular class attendance is directly correlated to student success.

 

Accessibility:  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with physical, sensory, learning, and psychiatric disabilities.  Contact me for further information. 

 

NOTE:  You will be taking the final exam (which is not cumulative) of the course in the week prior to the official Finals week.  I will be unavailable during Finals week and administering your exam early will allow me to have your grades in to the Registrar on time.  Please see me or email if this arrangement is problematic and we should be able to find a suitable compromise.