ANTH 110: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

LASC and MnTC Curriculum Goal 7: Human Diversity
Minnesota State University Moorhead/Fall 2014

1:30-245PM, KH 110/Course ID 000827
3:00-4:15PM, KH 110/Course ID 000828

http://web.mnstate.edu/robertsb/110

All materials also available on D2L
Instructor: Dr. Bruce Roberts
Office hours: Mon 1-2:30PM, Tue 9AM-12:30PM, Wed 11AM-12:30PM, Thu 9AM-12:30PM
Office: KH 213; Phone: 218.477.2043; e mail robertsb@mnstate.edu

Official course description: An introduction to the concept of culture and to the study of language.

This course is designed to give you an overview of the discipline of anthropology – the study of humankind – and its constituent subfields: cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and anthropological linguistics. Anthropology is the systematic study of humankind. Cultural anthropologists study culture, the learned and shared ways of life of groups of people that are socially transmitted from one generation to the next. The goal of this course is to help you develop a better understanding of and appreciation for the cultural differences and similarities that exist among and within human societies and cultures, including our own. 

For me, the principle objectives of this course are to:

• Grasp the anthropological view of culture, including its components and its essential attributes.

• Appreciate the critical role language plays in all human societies and cultures. 

• Understand how and why cultural anthropologists study sociocultural phenomenon.

• Understand the complexity of sociocultural phenomenon and the integrated nature of sociocultural systems, including how factors such as kinship, politics, economics, religion, gender and ethnicity interact and are interrelated.

• Better understand both the diversity and unity of the human species.

• MnTC Goal 7 Competencies state that after taking this class, students will be able to:

• Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

• Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered      discrimination and exclusion.

• Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity.

Required Text

• Culture.  Edition 2. B&W Version. Lisa Gezon & Conrad Kottak. 2014. McGraw Hill.  ISBN 1-3081-7181-1.

• Available from MSUM Bookstore   http://bookstore.mnstate.edu/buy_main.asp

• Also available in Kindle format on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Culture-2nd-Conrad-Kottak-ebook/dp/B00DIKU0RM

Course Requirements
(including instructional strategies & evaluation standards)

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES: Sorry guys but I don’t “flip the classroom” or do anything else cool and pedagogically cutting edge like that. My approach is pretty straightforward and based on these points:

• This is an Anthropology class.

• I have a Ph.D in Anthropology and you do not.

• The best way I can empower you is to share with you what I know about the subject matter. I will expose you to the content and potential of anthropology based upon my academic training (about 25 years), my field experiences and other travels, using a solid textbook in the discipline, and selected visual resources such as classic ethnographic films and shorter YouTube offerings.

ATTENDANCE:  I don’t require attendance but there is indeed a positive correlation between class attendance and grades.  People who come to class regularly get A’s and B’s – those who don’t get C’s and below. Once again, ultimately it’s your choice.

READINGS:  Do the assigned reading in the text before coming to class. You’ll be amazed at how things will make much more sense and you’ll be better prepared in case there is a quiz.

EXAMS: All exams will be comprised of a series of multiple-choice, true-false, & matching questions. Please read the following carefully.

• 3 exams each worth 75 points will be given on the dates listed below.

• The lowest of the three scores will be dropped in calculating your final grade.

• If you only take 2 of 3 exams then you are stuck with the 2 scores you get.

• A mandatory 100 point cumulative final exam will be given during finals week on the officially designated day & time (see below).  You cannot drop the Final Exam and if you miss it you’re dead.

• NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN. If you miss an exam then that becomes your drop grade.   

QUIZZES: Think of quizzes as mini exams. Often people don’t take them seriously and that usually has an adverse impact on your grade.  Don’t underestimate their cumulative impact on your final grade.

• 6 unannounced pop quizzes will be administered throughout the semester ay my discretion.

• Each will be worth 10 points and comprised of 10 multiple-choice & true-false questions.

• NO MAKE UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN.

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: As many as 90 people may be registered for this course and that creates special challenges both for you and me. Therefore, please read and consider the following very carefully:

• Due to the large number of people in the class I won’t remember your name; it’s nothing personal.

• Because of the number of people in the class & the amount of material to be covered daily classes will consist of lectures and/or videos.

• Although class is lecture-based I encourage you to ask relevant questions. I will try to address them to the best of my ability. Likewise if you have an informed opinion that is pertinent to the topic being discussed please feel free to share it briefly.

• I am here to teach anthropology so lectures & videos are intended to be informative, not entertaining.

• You can best demonstrate respect and courtesy to me and others by paying attention rather than talking with your friends. Constant small talk is annoying & interferes with my ability to concentrate & teach as well as the capacity of other students to understand the material. If I need to remind you of this, the first time I will be polite. If it continues after that I WILL ask you to leave.

• Please mute/silence your cell phones. I realize it’s unrealistic to ask you to turn them off for the entire class but at least don’t subject everyone to whatever ring tone you’ve chosen.

• It’s alright to use a laptop to take notes but please don’t sit there on Facebook instead of listening to what I’m saying. Otherwise, why bother to come to class? The same applies to texting on your cell.

• During exams and quizzes I will ask you to have at least one empty seat between you and the next closest person and that you to turn off and put your cell phone away. 

• Thank you in advance for your cooperation in maintaining a classroom atmosphere of civility and respect.

EXTRA CREDIT:  It’s simple. The answer is no. I don’t believe in it and don’t offer it. If you follow the syllabus, come to class and do the work there should be no reason for extra credit anyway.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: It’s simple. Don’t cheat – especially on exams. If I catch you cheating you get an F for the course.  The student handbook on academic honesty clearly states that:  

                 “When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a failing grade may be assigned for the course in which the student cheated… A student who has a course grade reduced by an instructor because 
             of cheating or plagiarism, and who disputes the instructor’s finding, may appeal the grade, but only by using the Grade Appeal Policy, which states that the student must prove the grade was arbitrary, prejudicial, or in error."

These days I’m particularly suspicious of people who have cell phones out during exams or quizzes. Please don’t try anything – it’s not worth it.

MSUM Disability Services: “Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Director of Disability Services at 477-4318 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), Flora Frick 154 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.  Information regarding Disability Services is available at http://web.mnstate.edu/disability/”

 Summary of Evaluation Criteria

Grade ranges

Class schedule

Notes:

• I will check ID’s at the Final. You must take the Final Exam during the scheduled time for your section unless you make prior arrangements with me well in advance. Wanting to leave town early for break is not sufficient reason to request a change.

• This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class, via e mail, and on D2L.