Anthropology 2 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Syllabus – Espresso Version – Spring Semester 2008
Sections 55110 (TTh11:10AM-12:40PM, Room 435) and 55111 (TTh 12:40-2:10PM, Room 432)

This is a condensed version of the class syllabus and as such it contains only the barest of information. It is very important / muy importante / très important / sehr wichtig / molto importante that you read the complete version of this syllabus which is distributed, as a hard copy, in class on Feb. 12 and Feb. 14. 2008.

Course Description
Official College Catelog Description: Presents a cross-cultural, comparative study of contemporary human behavior with emphasis on the effects of globalization on contemporary cultures.

My Description: In this course you will be introduced to the basic concepts and findings of cultural anthropology, the systematic and comparative study of human cultural diversity across space and time. I expect this course will be a fun challenge. It will be a challenge in the sense that it will suggest to you alternative ways of being and knowing. All of which I will stress to you are equally as "valid.” It will offer the opportunity to explore what we and other people think is "normal" and how that is valid, interesting and the means through which we can investigate those ideas. That is, engaging with many of these ideas, the challenges they present at times will be intriguing, unsettling and eye opening. That process should be enjoyable (even though I know it won't always be!) even if what you are learning sounds completely bizarre. Basically, I like to talk about how we tend to naturalize things in the US and how truths really vary worldwide. I welcome your own perspectives in various formats.

In general, you will be expected to evidence critical, creative, thinking about the course subject matter during class, in assigned writing exercises, and on course exams. Successful engagement with class materials should facilitate your ability to productively participate in cross-cultural dialogue, and thereby more successfully engage with the multicultural world in which we live.

Readings
There are two texts for this class:

• Social And Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction, by John Monaghan and Peter Just. 2000. (Abbreviated as VSI in the Tentative Class Schedule at the end of the syllabus.)



• Introducing Cultural Anthropology, by Roberta Lenkeit. 3rd edition. 2007. (Abbreviated as ICA in the Tentative Class Schedule at the end of the syllabus.)

I do not teach from the texts. Rather they serve as general references for course materials, where you can check for more explanations and examples of course concepts and how these ideas can be applied to understand and resolve contemporary issues.

You also will be required to read a number of short articles and/or sections from journals and books. Nearly all of them are available via the world wide web (see the Tentative Class Schedule at the end of the printed syllabus). I selected this method of presentation of additional materials as a way to lessen the cost to you of this class.

Evaluation of Student Competency
This class is a writing factor class (that's what the pencil graphic next to the class title in the Schedule of Classes indicates). What that means is this class requires a substantial body of critical, analytical written work. You will meet this requirement by answering essay questions on your exams as well as carrying out, as part of a 5-6 member team, research on the issue of global migration and preparing a written report (both an individual report and a team report). Your competency in this class will be assessed by means of:

• Three exams (each worth up to 100 points). Exams are composed of multiple-choice questions, short definitions of key terms and/or ideas, short answer questions, and one to three longer essay questions. Study guides for each exam will be distributed (via the Internet) one week prior to each exam.
• A team learning project on global migration (worth up to 100 points for each team member). One of the goals of this class is examining the effects of globalization on contemporary cultures. To that end, students will explore the issue of global migration by comparing differences and similarities across the six countries.
• An individual reply to two team reports (worth up to 20 points). In order to share our learning and broaden our understanding of the learning issues via the team reports, each student will read all other team reports, and reply to two of these reports.
• A short "ethnographic" interview and write-up (worth up to 10 points). Researching people means "stepping in" to the worldviews of others and "stepping out" of your own. You will be teamed-up with another student and each of you will investigate the story behind an object from the other. As you share your own artifacts and learn to interview others about theirs, you learn the value of honoring difference as well as the skills to write and read about it.
• A final reflection on how you have developed in the course (worth up to 10 points). This is an opportunity to demonstrate your thoughtful, creative, reflective and intellectual ways of synthesizing your anthropological experience here at Cabrillo.
• and class participation (worth up to 10 points). As part of this class, you are responsible for active listening, discussion participation, supporting each other in sharing, risk-taking and feedback. This includes keeping up with reading, participating in class discussions and watching videos.

Late work and make-up work is not allowed. If you stay in this class, you agree to the deadlines. Of course, we can work something out for REAL emergencies (you giving birth; spending time in jail; dead; very, very ill). Just be sure to contact me as soon as possible. For sudden computer problems, sick turtles, hangovers, excellent surfing opportunities, procrastination, etc., you should save the "drama fo' yo' mama!" Thanks!!

General Information
Contacting the Instructor: Email is the most reliable way to contact me. NOTE: Unfortunately, I get a lot of junk email and if I don't recognize the sender's name, I delete the message without opening it. Therefore, if you send me an email be sure to put in the subject box ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: your name (last name), the class name, AND the section number (e.g., Jones, Cult. Anthro., Sec. 00000).

If you would like to speak with me in person you should see me during office hours (see above). If you need to talk to me outside office hours call my voice mail (477-5211). Leave a SHORT message with a phone number where I can reach you. I check that voice mail each day Monday through Thursday before 11 a.m. So if you call on Thursday afternoon, Friday, Saturday or Sunday you most likely will get my response on Monday after 11 am. Plan your calls accordingly. I will return your call once.

Students with Disabilities: Accommodations for this class are made to comply with the American Disabilities Act. So that appropriate arrangements may be made, I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability, including 'invisible' disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disorders, and psychological disabilities, which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements.

Attendance: Making this class interesting depends on your constructive participation and respect for one another. This includes arriving on time, not getting ready to go until the class is over, and listening to each other. It means joining into discussions, responding to each other rather than only to me. If you participate thoughtfully everyone can gain from this class. In addition, missing class or arriving late prevents one from being an active participant in ongoing class discussions.

Videos and Handouts: You will also be responsible for the information contained in the various videotapes and out-of-class reading assignments. Many of the videos belong to the instructor or other faculty members, and are NOT available for viewing in the library if you miss them the first time around. I do not loan out ANY videos.

Academic Honesty. It is absolutely imperative that all students exercise acadmeic honesty and integrity. All sources must be properly documented (if you aren't sure how to do this, ask me). Cheating or plagiarism (which is "the act of appropriating the literary composition of another author, or excerpts, ideas, or passages therefrom, and passing the material off as one's own creation") of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action at my discretion including failing the assignment, failing the course, or recommendation for dismissal. Consult the Student Handbook for further details. Unfortunately, I've had to fail students for cheating on papers, fieldwork, and book / movie reviews.

Complaint Procedures: Any student complaints or concerns about this course should first be brought to the attention of the instructor. I will make every effort to resolve the matter to our mutual satisfaction. Should that not happen, the matter may be taken to Nancy Brown, Dean, Human Arts and Social Sciences Division.

Cautionary Note Regarding Cell Phones
While I recognize that cell phone technology has become a particularly important social resource in our everyday lives, I am requesting that if you carry a cell phone (or beeper), PLEASE keep the ringer/buzzer "off" while you are in class (except in those instances where there is a specific reason, such as a medical disability that requires students to be in touch with a health care professional). If your cell phone is heard while lecture is going on, points will be deducted (10 points per occurrence) from your final class score!

If you remain in the course after receiving and reviewing both this syllabus and the full online version, I will assume you have read them carefully and understand the mechanics and objectives of the course. It is my hope that this class will be interesting and enjoyable. Your participation in class can greatly enhance this. Welcome to Cultural Anthropology!

Updated on January 28, 2008