ANT 2413 
Section 3173
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology


Instructor: Michael Pool
Office Hours: Home: 280-7654 (Do Not call after 10:00 p.m.)
E-mail: mpool@austin.cc.tx.us
Anthropology Web Page: http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/pool/
 

Syllabus

Classes start Aug. 26

Anthropology and Culture

Aug. 26 Aug. 28 Aug. 31
Beginnings of Human Culture
Sept. 2
Labor Day Sept. 7

Language

Sept. 9
Psychological Anthropology
Sept. 14
Test 1 Sept. 23 (Chapters 1-5)

Subsistence Strategies

Sept. 26
Economic Anthropology
Oct. 2
Social Organization
Oct. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 16 Oct. 23
Test 2 Oct. 30 (Chapters 6-11)

Political Organization

Nov. 2
Religion
Nov. 9
Cultural Anthropology: Chapter 13
Arts
Nov. 16
Culture Change
Nov. 20
Nov. 20 Last Day to Withdraw
Nov. 25
Thanksgiving Holidays Nov. 26-29

Nov. 30 Extracredit Deadline

Test 3 Dec. 4 (Chapters 12-16)

Final Exam Dec. 9
Study Guide Due Dec. 9

Texts

William A. Haviland (1999) Cultural Anthropology, Ninth Edition. Harcourt Brace College Publishers: Ft. Worth.

Valerie Lynch Lee and Richard T. Searles (1993) Study Guide for the Telecourse: Faces of Culture, Sixth Edition. Harcourt Brace College Publishers: Ft. Worth.

Course Description

This course is an examination of the field of cultural anthropology and its key concepts, and terminology. Related material from physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics will also be presented. The text and the video series we will use in this class uses the theme of human adaptation to environmental circumstances as a common thread uniting the apparently disparate areas of the field.

Course Objectives

  1. Understand and appreciate the concept of culture, from the perspective of anthropologists, as the adaptive mechanism that provides for the survival of the human species.
  2. Recognize underlying similarities as well as the wide range and variability of human cultures.
  3. Recognize and appreciate that there are a number of valid "cultural solutions" to living on earth.
  4. Understand the relationship between culture and the individual.
  5. Understand the factors involved in culture change.
  6. Gain a broad cross-cultural background against which to view your own culture as well as contemporary social problems.
  7. Know the meanings of basic concepts and terms used by cultural anthropologists.
  8. Understand some of the procedures used by anthropologists in studying cultures.

Grading

Tests (20% each): There are three tests and a comprehensive final exam. Each test will be objective, consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. One of the three regular semester tests is optional; the lowest regular semester test grade will be dropped. If a test is missed, it will count as your optional test. If you have a 90 average on the first three tests, the final is optional. You are required to provide a scantron sheet (available at the Campus Store) and a #2 pencil for each test.

Participation (20%): This part of your grade is based on your attendance and participation in class discussion. If you attend all the classes but do not ask or answer questions or take part in the discussion, you will get a B. A higher grade will be based on the degree to which you participate and are prepared. Basically, I will increase the attendance grade by a letter grade for those who participate on a consistent basis. At the end of the semester, I will review for the class those people getting the participation increase and solicit input. Mainly I will want the class to point out those individuals they feel deserve the grade increase that did not get it.

Attendance Grade Guide Lines:
B: 8 or less absences
C: 9-12 absences
D: 13-16 absences
F: >16 absences
Study Guide (20%): Complete the Vocabulary Check, Completion, and Self-Test sections of the study guide. Complete the lessons for any videos not viewed in class. As a study aid, look at the short-answer essay questions and consider how to answer them; then look at the answer key following them. Hand the Study Guide in at the end of the semester. Used study guides require instructor permission.

Chapter Summaries: Write a one page summary of each chapter and three questions concerning that chapter and you will receive ½ point of extracredit added to your final grade if it is handed to me by the beginning of the lecture over that material. I will accept the chapter summary and questions late up until the test over that material; you will receive ¼ point added to your final grade. You will receive no credit after the test. By doing these chapter summaries and questions, you can receive up to eight points added to your final grade.

Policies

1. Two points will be deducted from your grade for each calendar day an assignment is late after its due date. Points will be deducted until a maximum grade of 70 can be earned; points will not be deducted below a grade of 70. After Dec. 9, a score of zero will be recorded. The Study Guide must be handed in by Dec. 9 or a score of 0 will be recorded.

2. It is not my policy to drop students; it is the student's responsibility to drop the class.

3. Students are responsible for informing me when they show up for class after roll is called.

4. Incompletes are discouraged and will only be given for extenuating circumstances. Time conflicts and poor time management are not acceptable reasons; ACC has a very liberal drop policy you can use in these circumstances.

5. In cases of scholastic dishonesty (cheating) and after meeting with the student or notifying the student of the reasons for believing scholastic dishonesty occurred, a grade of 0 will be recorded for any work determined by the instructor to result from an act of scholastic dishonesty. The Dean of Student Services will be notified of the incident and the academic penalty and will determine if any further disciplinary penalty will be assessed. The student can accept the penalty or dispute in writing to the Dean, within five (5) College class days (excluding weekends) of the student's receipt of written notice of the academic penalty assessed, either the facts of the offense or the academic penalty assessed. The student is referred to the ACC Student Handbook for further details.

Extracredit

Book Review

You will receive up to 15 points added to your final grade for writing a 5 page review of an ethnography that you select and the instructor approves. An A on the review will get 15 points, a B 10 points, and a C 5 points. Remember the summer session is short and you have to start within the first 2-3 weeks. You will be quaranteed at least a C if you meet the following guidelines:

typed, double-spaced with one inch margins, no more than 12 point
a minimum of 5 pages (4 1/2 pages not accepted).
received by the due date and not later
an ethnography of a specific group of people anywhere in the world, but no collections of papers
instructor approval of the book

Tape Viewing Locations

Tapes are available for use in the library at the following locations: Round Rock Public Library; ACC Libraries/LRS (Cypress Creek, Eastridge, Northridge, Rio Grande, Riverside, Pinnacle).

If you have any comments or questions about this Web page, please contact Michael Pool at
512-223-3385

snail mail: 1212 Rio Grande, Austin, TX 78748

Anthropology Program
Last Updated 8-20-98

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