Office Hours: RGC Annex 250.1 (1209 Rio Grande)
MW 10:30 - 11:00
TTH 10:30 - 12:00
Messages: 223-3385 Division Office
Voice Mail: 223-1790 x 22932
e-mail: chayman@austincc.edu
Texts: 1. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge,
William A. Haviland | Harald E.L. Prins | Dana Walrath | Bunny McBride
2. Conformity and Conflict.
James Spradley, David W. McCurdy
Course Description: ANTH 2351 CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (3-3-0). This course introduces the student to a holistic study of culture. The major elements of human social behavior, material culture, and cultural diversity are studied as adaptations to social and environmental change--past and present.
Instructional Methodology: classroom lecture, including slides, movies and other media.
Course Rationale: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology is designed to provide students with an understanding of the diversity of human cultures that will allow students to apply general anthropological knowledge and skills to everyday life and their chosen careers, to apply the course towards an associate degree at Austin Community College, and to prepare them for success in upper division courses in Anthropology at other institutions.
Course Objectives/Outcomes: Students who complete this course will:
- Have gained a broad cross-cultural background against which to view our culture as well as contemporary social problems
- Be able to recognize similarities and differences in human cultures
- Have discovered there are various valid cultural solutions to the problems of life
- Be able to understand the factors involved in culture change
- Be able to understand some of the procedures used by anthropologists in studying cultures
Course policies: Attendance is necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the course material. Excessive absences may result in withdrawal from the class, however you are ultimately responsible for withdrawing yourself from the class. Last day to withdraw is located on the ACC calendar. No incomplete grades will be given. Please contact me if you have excessive absences and wish to remain in the class. Consult with me as the problem is occurring, not at the end of the semester. Please come to class promptly, late arrivals are distracting. Discussion of topics in class is encouraged, therefore keeping up with the reading is essential. I will assume you have read the required material before coming to class. You are responsible for information announced in class whether or not you are present when the announcement is made.
Scholastic 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. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.
Students with disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
Academic freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is my hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
Grading Scale: 90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F
Course Requirements: Grades for the course will be determined by scores on three tests, grades on three papers, and class participation. Tests will be multiple choice, definition, and short answer. Questions will be based on both of the text books, lectures, videos shown in class, and class discussions. The short papers will be an essay (2-5 pages) based on topics handed out in class. IMPORTANT: Turn in your paper on time and with the proper documentation. Insufficient or missing bibliographic information will lower your grade drastically. No late papers will be accepted. Papers not turned in and tests not taken will result in the grade of 0. Participation requires class attendance, interest in the material, and contributions to class discussion. Attendance will be taken daily.
Make-up tests: If you miss an exam and want to make it up you must do so before the next class period. See me in advance, if possible, to schedule alternative testing dates. Tests not taken will result in the grade of 0.
Samples of student essays
Essay One
Sierra Leone
Essay Two
Gay Marriage
Essay Three
Walmart
