Introduction to Anthropology

Anth 104.01 – Fall 2001

 Office Hours: M-F: 9-10:50am.  During office hours, you are welcome to stop by without an appointment.  I will also be happy to schedule appointments during non-office hours (You are also welcome to just stop by, but I cannot guarantee my availability).  If you are having problems with course materials for any reason, I strongly encourage you to come see me.

Getting in touch with me:  If you desperately need to get in touch with me and I am not in my office, you may call me at home any day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.  My home phone # is 236-1402.  You can also e-mail me anytime.  I check my e-mail frequently.

Course Description and Goals: This course is a general introduction to anthropology.  It will be taught using a combination of lectures, readings, class discussion, special projects and films.  The purpose of the course is to introduce you to the diverse field of anthropology – the study of humans – through a consideration of the four fields of anthropology.  These include biological anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and social/cultural anthropology.  One of our goals will be to gain a general understanding of the nature of the discipline.  As such, throughout the course we will explore what anthropologists do, how they gather their data, and how this helps to understand the human condition.  Our main goal is to examine how anthropological study has broadened our understanding of the species.  Some of the underlying questions that we will address include:  How did humans evolve as a species and what makes us unique?  What kinds of similarities and differences have been found between societies and cultures, and how can we explain these?  How and why are cultures changing today as interactions and communication between diverse groups increase?

            Please understand that this is an introductory course to a field of study with an enormous breadth of inquiry.  I am certain that there will be times when we cover only very briefly materials that you would like to explore in more depth.  I encourage you to ask questions whenever you have them, but understand that the pace of the course will often be rapid.

Required Texts:

1. Kottak, C.  2002  The Exploration of Human Diversity
2. Kamp, K.  1998  Life in the Pueblo: Understanding the Past through Archaeology.
3. Good, K.  1996  Into the Heart: One Man’s Pursuit of Love and Knowledge among the Yanomamo.
4. Fratkin, E.  1998  Ariaal Pastoralists of Kenya.

Reserved Readings

Two copies of each reserved reading is available in the library and one copy in the anthropology reading room on the 3^rd floor of Goodnow Hall (next to my office).  Copies should not be removed from Goodnow.

Course Requirements

1.     Examinations: (70% total) You will have three exams respectively worth 20%, 20%, and 30% of your final grade.  Exams will include multiple choice, short answer and short essay questions.

2.     Fieldwork and Hands-on Projects (25% total)

a.     Skulls worksheet (10%). This exercise will require spending some time in lab comparing and contrasting some of the anthropoid skulls on form and function.

b.     Proxemics study (10%).  This will involve undertaking fieldwork, collecting data, and analyzing that data for patterns of behavior that reflect cultural norms (what could be more fun!).

c.     Global development web exercise (5%).  This brief exercise will involve searching the web for sites maintained by indigenous peoples and identifying the key goals of the sites.

3.     Participation:  (5%) You should keep up with the reading and come to class prepared to answer questions, ask questions, and/or engage in discussion of materials with the class.  In the course of lecturing, I will regularly ask questions related to the reading and to materials that we have covered in past classes.  We will also devote a small number of classes to the discussion of readings (such as on "Hot Topic" days) and the fieldwork projects.  Everyone's participation is expected.

4.     Attendance:  Attendance is required and I will take roll daily.  Each student is allowed 3 absences.  After this point, you will loose one-third of a letter grade for EACH absence.  Any exam or in-class assignment that is missed because of an unexcused absence will receive a zero.  Excused absences will still count toward your 3, but you will be permitted to make up assignments.  An excused absence is given only in the case of medical emergencies (a visit to the health center does not suffice) or a death in the family.  Notice must be provided through academic affairs.  The class begins at 11:00am, based on the clock in the classroom.  If you come in late, you are responsible for making sure that you have been counted as present.  Each student is permitted one late arrival.  Each subsequent late will be counted as an absence.

                                    Grading Summary and Due Dates (100 point system)

Activity                       Percentage of Grade                 Due Date

Participation                              5%                             Always!

Skulls worksheet                       10%                             Sept 21 in class

Exam 1                                                20%                             Sept 26

Proxemics Study                      10%                             Oct 29 in class

Exam 2                                                20%                             Nov 2

Cultural Survival Web Exercise   5%                             Dec 12 in class

Exam 3                                                30%                             Dec 21 9:00 am

100%

COURSE SCHEDULE

(The professor reserves the right to make modifications in this schedule as deemed necessary.)

Reserved Readings

1.     R. Lewin, R.  1999 Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction.  Blackwell Scientific Publishers.  Chapters 7, 8, and 18

2.     K. Endicott and R. Welsch (eds.)  2001  "Issue 17: Should the Remains of Prehistoric Native Americans Be Reburied Rather than Studied?"  In Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Anthropology.  Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin.  Pp:338-359

3.     K. L. Feder  1999  “Indians and Archaeologists: Conflicting Views of Myth and Science.” In E. Angeloni (ed.) Annual Editions Anthropology 99/00.  Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.  Pp: 44-51.

4.     R. Lewin, R.  1999 Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction.  Blackwell Scientific Publishers.  Chapters 31-32.

5.     L. Bohannan  1999  “Shakespeare in the Bush.” In E. Angeloni (ed.) Annual Editions Anthropology 99/00.  Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.  Pp:73-77.

6.     K. Endicott and R. Welsch (eds.)  2001  "Issue 5: Can Apes Learn Language?"  In Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Anthropology.  Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin.  Pp: 74-89.

7.     E. T. Hall and M. R. Hall  1989  “The Sounds of Silence.”  In E. Angeloni (ed.) Annual Editions Anthropology 89/90.  Guilford, CT: The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc.  Pp:44-49.

8.     M. Argyle  1989  “The Laws of Looking.” In E. Angeloni (ed.) Annual Editions Anthropology 89/90.  Guilford, CT: The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc.  Pp:50-55.

9.     D. Tannen  1999  “Why Don’t You Say What You Mean?” In E. Angeloni (ed.) Annual Editions Anthropology 99/00.  Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.  Pp:66-69.