ANTH3_10211_Fall 2008

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ANTH3, Section 10211	Instructor: Dr. Debbie Klein
Fall 2008, Room: SS205	Office: BU 126
T/TH 9:45-11:05 am Email: dklein@gavilan.edu	Office Hours: M/W 11:40am-12:40pm, TU 8:30-9:30am & by appointment
Phone: 848-4834	Website: hhh.gavilan.edu/dklein

Cover Image

[jacket image]

Course Description

What is cultural anthropology? How does anthropology prepare us to live in a multi-cultural world in which people have unequal access to power and resources? How does anthropology offer new lenses through which to understand and interpret “other” cultures? How does anthropology relate to our pasts, everyday lives, and agendas for social change?

This course introduces us to the field of cultural anthropology through ethnographies (books about cultures based on fieldwork) that explore border crossings of many kinds: undocumented immigrants living in California; modern plagues indiscriminately spreading across all national borders; Nigerian artists playing the global market for African art and culture; and African immigrants moving to New York for US dollars. By border crossing, anthropologists mean the merging of two or more cultures, resulting in struggles for control over resources as well as exciting new cultural forms. Key themes of this course include: power and culture; the ideas of progress and the nation-state; immigration and identity; race and gender; inequality and structural violence; transnational collaborations; globalization; and transformation.

Course Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the wide range of variability of human cultures
Identify and demonstrate the dangers of ethnocentrism
Identify and demonstrate the importance and limitations of a culturally relativistic outlook in today’s world
Examine the relevance of comparative cultural studies in the search for a better understanding of the United States and other countries
Demonstrate the utility of a holistic approach to cultures
Analyze and explain cultural practices as they are embedded within systems of race, class, and gender
Each of the above outcomes will be measured by: response papers, quizzes, exams, discussion participation, and a semester-long research project.

Course Requirements

Class Participation	15%
Quizzes & Response Papers	20%
Midterm	30%
Final Exam	15%
Final Research Paper & Presentation	20%

Class Participation (15%)

Attendance at all class meetings is required. If you miss 4 classes, you will be dropped from the course. The college policy on attendance is that students missing one more class hour than the unit value for that particular course may be dropped without possibility of credit. Do not be late: lateness is disrespectful to the instructor and your classmates.

All students are expected to read the assignments before each class and come prepared to participate in class discussions and exercises. Be prepared to read between 40 to 130 pages a week! Please read critically and take notes, making sure you understand the authors’ main points. Also, I encourage you to keep a personal reading journal in which you write down your reflections and questions for class discussion.

Quizzes & Response Papers (20% total)

Several quizzes based on course readings and lectures will be given throughout the semester. The instructor will usually let you know about quizzes in advance. Response papers based on specific readings or films will be assigned at the beginning of class.

A response paper is 1-2 pages, typed and double-spaced. While it is a relatively open format, your response paper should deal with one or a few of the main points made by the author or film. I am interested in your critical thinking here: tell me what you think about the piece. While some summary is fine, I do not want a summary paper. For example, you might consider these questions before you write: Given what the author or film was trying to convey, do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Do you have lingering questions about the material presented? Did you appreciate the piece? Why or why not?

Midterm (30%)

The Midterm consists of a take-home essay and a fieldwork paper. Based on assigned readings, topics covered in class and videos, the essay will require synthetic and critical thinking. The fieldwork paper will give you the opportunity to begin the process of formally writing up your fieldwork experience, using ethnographic writing techniques of thick description and analysis.

Final Exam (15%)

The final will be a take-home essay exam. Based on assigned readings, topics covered in class and videos, questions will require synthetic and critical thinking.

Final Research Paper and Presentation (20%)

Your 6-8 page final paper (typed and double-spaced) is due on the last day of class. It will be based on the original ethnographic research that you conducted throughout the course. In this paper, you will integrate description and an anthropological analysis of your topic. Please choose from the topics listed at the end of the syllabus. In the last weeks of class, you present your research findings in a creative and fun presentation.

Final Grades

YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. Your grade in the course will be based on: class participation (15%); quizzes & response papers (20%); midterm (30%); final (15%); and final research paper and presentation (20%).

90%-100% = A; 80%-90%=B; 70%-80%=C; 60%-70%=D; below 60%=F

Important Notes

Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disabilities should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 848-4865.

Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.

Classroom Etiquette

It is a privilege to step into and participate in a college classroom, right?! I aim to create and facilitate a productive, comfortable, and exciting learning environment for each student. In order to do this, I need your cooperation and willingness to take this learning environment seriously. How might we create this kind of experience? Here are some of my rules:

Walk into the classroom each day with an open mind.
Before entering the classroom, turn OFF your cell phone. At the very least, turn it to “vibrate” mode so that it does not disturb the class.
No talking to your neighbor unless it is part of the class exercise.
Do not do your homework for another class in this class!
No leaving early unless you have cleared it with me.
Be 100% present in body and mind!
If you are unable to follow this classroom etiquette, please take another class.

Required Texts

Texts are available at the Gavilan College Bookstore and on reserve at the library. All videos are also on reserve at the library. You are also required to collect and keep track of handouts distributed in class.

Robbins, Richard. 2008. Cultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach.

Chavez, Leo. 1998. Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society.

Farmer, Paul. 1999. Infections and Inequalities: The Modern Plagues.

Stoller, Paul. 1999. Jaguar: A Story of Africans in America.

*Please note: Lecture notes are in PowerPoint format. If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint you can still access the notes by using PowerPoint Viewer downloadable at the Microsoft Office Download Center.