ANTHR 101: Introduction to Anthropology University of Alberta
LEC B2 – Winter 2016 MWF 2:00-2:50PM, TL B1
Instructor: Dr. Megan J. Highet Teaching Assistant: Christina Poletto Office: H.M. Tory 14-21 Office:
H.M. Tory 13-12
Office Hours: by appointment Office Hours: Tuesdays 11am-12pm E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description: A general introduction to anthropology through the study of central concepts and key issues, including culture, human cultural development, biological evolution, social organization, cultural theory, symbolic systems and culture change.
Course Prerequisite: None.
Course Objectives:
1. To familiarize students with the primary concepts and central tenets of anthropology.
2. To foster an appreciation of human biological and cultural diversity.
3. To explore the relevance of anthropological perspectives within academia and beyond.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course students will have enriched their understanding of both the field of anthropology in general, and the human condition in particular. Students will also have had the opportunity to both practice anthropology and to apply theory and knowledge gained from this course to critically consider complex human issues and problems.
Required Reading:
Lavenda, Robert H. & Schultz, Emily A. (2014). Anthropology: What Does it Mean to Be Human? (Third Edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Course Requirements:
Midterm #1 Examination (course weight = 30%) Date: Jan 27, 2016 Midterm #2 Examination (course weight = 30%) Date: Mar 2, 2016 Final Examination (course weight = 40%) Date: TBA
Midterms Examinations: Two multiple-choice midterm examinations are scheduled during regular class time for this course. These exams are non-cumulative and will cover lecture materials, assigned readings and films shown during class time. Further details regarding the midterm examinations will be discussed in class. Sample exam questions are available to students via the course website.
Final Examination: The final examination for this course will be multiple-choice format. This exam is cumulative and will cover lecture materials, assigned readings and films shown during class time throughout the semester. Further details regarding the final examination will be discussed in class.
*Students are responsible for confirming the date and time of the final examination once the exam schedule is available.
Lecture Schedule:
DATE LECTURE TOPIC READING
ASSIGNMENT
Jan 4 Course Introduction
Jan 6 What is Anthropology and Why Study it? Chapter 1 and pages: 85-95, 163-
172, and 247-259 Jan 8 What is Anthropology and Why Study it? Chapter 1 and
pages: 85-95, 163- 172, and 247-259 Jan 11 Is There Evolutionary Evidence for the Concept of ‘Race’? Chapters 2 & 3 Jan 13 Film - The Human Family Tree
Jan 15 Film - The Human Family Tree
Jan 18 Is ‘Race’ a Biological Reality or a Social Construction? Chapters 2 & 3 Jan 20 Is ‘Race’ a Biological Reality or a Social Construction? Chapters 2 & 3 Jan 22 Film - Race: The Power of An Illusion
Jan 25 How Are Humans Related to Other Living Primates? Chapter 4
Jan 27 MIDTERM 1
(All material up to and including January 22nd)
Jan 29 What Does the Fossil Record Reveal About Human Ancestry? Chapter 5 Feb 1 What Does the Fossil Record Reveal About Human Ancestry? Chapter 5 Feb 3 What Does the Fossil Record Reveal About Human Ancestry? Chapter 5 Feb 5 Film - The Mind’s Big Bang
Feb 8 What is Culture and Is it Unique to Humans? Chapter 8 Feb 10 Film - A Conversation with Koko
Feb 12 Film - Guns, Germs, Steel
Feb 15 NO CLASS – READING WEEK
Feb 17 NO CLASS – READING WEEK
Feb 19 NO CLASS – READING WEEK
Feb 22 Are We Really Better Off Now That We Are ‘Civilized’? Chapter 7
Feb 24 Film - The Third Sex
Feb 26 What Do You Mean Gender is Not Biologically Determined? Chapter 14 Feb 29 What are the Consequences of How Societies Distribute
Resources?
Chapter 11 and pages 172-176
Mar 2 MIDTERM 2
(All material from Jan 25th up to and including Feb 26th) Mar 4 What are the Consequences of How Societies Distribute
Resources?
Chapter 11 and pages 172-176
Mar 7 How Do We Decide Who We Are Related To? Chapter 13 Mar 9 How Do We Decide Who We Are Related To? Chapter 13 Mar 11 How Do We Decide Who We Are Related To? Chapter 13 Mar 14 How is Language a Cultural Phenomenon? Chapter 9 Mar 16 Film - Pidgin: The Voice of Hawaii
Mar 18 Do Anthropologists Have an Ethical Obligation to the People That They Study?
Pages 176-190
Mar 21 Why Do People Have Such Different Beliefs? Chapter 10 Mar 23 Film - Witchcraft Among the Azande
Mar 25 NO CLASS – GOOD FRIDAY
Mar 28 NO CLASS – EASTER MONDAY
Mar 30 Film - Secrets of the Tribe Apr 1 Film - Secrets of the Tribe
Apr 4 How is Health a Product of Culture? Chapter 15 Apr 6 How is Health a Product of Culture? Chapter 15
Apr 8 REVIEW
Student Responsibilities:
Registration Status and Withdrawing from the Couse: Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their registration in courses. Students who stop attending class must officially withdraw from the course. This must be done by the official withdrawal deadline for the course. Failure to withdraw properly will result in a grade being assigned that is based on completed course work.
General Classroom Etiquette: Cell phones and all other electronics except laptops are to be silenced and put away during class time. Students should be respectful of their peers by keeping in mind that whispering is clearly audible due to the acoustics of the classroom. Students engaging in disruptive behaviors will be asked to leave the room.
Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or completed as a result. Students are expected to be up-to-date on assigned readings as lectures are intended to complement rather than reiterate material covered in the textbook. Please be aware that films are not available for viewing outside of the class in which they are shown.
Exams:
Student photo identification (OneCard) is required at the time of midterm and final exams.
Failure to produce proper identification may result in disqualification for examination and a grade of zero for that portion of the course requirements.
Examinations: At the discretion of the instructor, students may not be permitted to begin an exam after it has been in progress for 15 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room for at least 20 minutes from the time that the exam has commenced. Consumption of food is not permitted during exams. Electronic equipment is not to be brought to exams, and hats may not be worn during this time.
Missed Midterm Exams: When a student misses an exam, the instructor should be notified of the reason within 48 hours. Unexcused absences from midterm exam(s) will result in a grade of zero for that portion of the course requirements. When a student seeks an excused absence because of illness, a completed Medical Declaration is required (available on the Faculty of Arts website).
If a request for an excused absence is approved, then the course weight of the missed exam will be transferred evenly to the remaining exam(s). Personal vacations are not an acceptable reason for msising a midterm examination. No make-up midterm exams will be given.
Deferred Final Exams: Application for a deferred exam must be made within 48 hours of the final exam. The decision to approve a request for a deferred final exam lies beyond the control of the instructor. Personal vacations are not an acceptable reason for msising a final examination. If you know beforehand that you will be unable to attend the final exam at the scheduled time, the instructor must be informed prior to the final exam.
Please note that there are no opportunities for ‘bonus’ or ‘make-up’ assignments
available to students in this course.
Grading Criteria:
Marks for assignments, tests, and/or exams are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from the entire term work and examinations then produces the final letter grade for the course.
Letter Grade Approximate Final Mark (%)
A+ 96-100
A 90-95
A- 85-89
B+ 80-84
B 74-79
B- 70-73
C+ 66-69
C 63-65
C- 60-62
D+ 56-59
D 50-55
F 0-49
Students requiring accommodation due to disability or special needs are encouraged to bring their situation to the attention of the instruction as well as to contact Specialized Support and Disability Services (SSDS), 2-800 SUB, ph. 780-492-3381, TTY 780-492-7269, as early in the course as possible.
Sylabus Policy:
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.”
Academic Integrity:
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandar ds/CodeofStudentBehaviour.aspx) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an
offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
Plagiarism and Cheating:
All students should consult the “Truth-In-Education” handbook or Website
(http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE) regarding the definitions of plagiarism and its consequences when detected. Students involved in language courses and translation courses should be aware that on-line “translation engines” produce very dubious and unreliable
“translations.” Students in language courses should be aware that, while seeking the advice of native or expert speakers is often helpful, excessive editorial and creative help in assignments is considered a form of “cheating” that violates the code of student conduct with dire consequences.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. Before
unpleasantness occurs consult http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/TIE; also discuss this matter with any tutor(s) and with your instructor.
Learning and Working Environment:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the student ombudservice:
(http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca). Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures can be found in the GFC Policy Manual, section 44 available at http://gfcpolicymanual.ualberta.ca.
Recording of Lectures:
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an
approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor.
