DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY www.anthropology.ualberta.ca ANTHR 101 B1: Winter Term 2016
Introductory Anthropology
Instructor: Dr. H M Ashraf Ali Lecture Days and Time: MWF 8:00 AM-8: 50AM Office: 13-06 Tory Building Lecture Room: TL 12
Email: [email protected] Office Hours: MF 9:00-10:00 AM or by an appointment Teaching Assistant: Christina Poletto
Office: 13-12 Tory Building
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Email: [email protected]
Course Description: This course is a general introduction to anthropology through the study of central concepts and key issues. Topics include human evolution, the appearance of culture, social organization, cultural theory, symbolic systems, and culture change.
Course Prerequisite: None
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 1. Identify the subfields of Anthropology and discuss their purpose and practice.
2. Recognize and define the central concepts and themes in Anthropology.
3. Describe the basic principles and methodology of Anthropological fieldwork.
4. Discuss the cross-cultural perspective and the holistic approach to cultural systems.
5. Provide descriptions of applied anthropological research in all the major subfields.
Required Reading:
Lavenda, Robert H. & Schultz, Emily A. (2015). Anthropology: What Does it Mean to Be Human? Third Edition. New York: Oxford University Press.
Grade Evaluation: The course will be based primarily on lectures and assigned readings, supplemented by films and class discussions. Students are responsible for attending class lectures regularly and for
completing all assigned readings, online quizzes, and exams by deadline. The lectures will complement or elaborate on topics introduced in the readings and films, but will NOT necessarily repeat that material. All students are expected to read the assigned materials in advance of the lectures, and to be prepared to ask questions about the assigned readings and/or discuss the material with the class. The evaluation of the course will be based on online quizzes, two midterm exams and a final exam. The weight of each course activity and exam is given below:
Type of Activity & Assessment Weighting Due Date
Online Quizzes 15% On-going (starting from January 8)
Midterm Exam #1 25% February 1, 2016
Midterm Exam #2 30% March 2, 2016
Final Exam 30% TBA*
*WARNING: Students must verify the date, time and location of the final exam when the final exam schedule is posted at http://www.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca as well as the course website: eClass.
Course Activity and Exams Format
Online Quizzes (15%): There are 5 true-false questions for each quiz on the readings assigned that class.
You must complete each class’s quiz on the course’s website eClass before the corresponding class (see Weekly Lecture Schedule below for more details). You are required to read the assigned textbook/chapter for this course to answer these quizzes online. You are also encouraged to meet with classmates to compare notes and discuss the questions before you answer them online. There are 22 quizzes for this online test and a total of 110 (22X5) points. Overall, the lowest 10 score will be thrown out/dropped, including zeroes for not completing any of this online quiz due to illness or any other reason, and the remaining scores are worth 100 points or 15% of the course work.
Midterm Exam # 1 & 2 (55% total): Both midterm exams will be based on the material covered during the lectures, online quizzes, the assigned readings, and the films viewed in the class. These midterm exams will be multiple-choice (MCQ) and non-cumulative. The first midterm will be worth up to 25% and the second midterm 30% of the course work.
Final Exam (30%): The final exam will be multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and exam questions will be set mostly from reading materials, online quizzes, class lectures, discussions and films that have been covered since after second midterm. However, this final exam will be cumulative and may include about twenty percent materials covered in the midterms. The final exam will be worth up to 100 marks or 30% of course work.
Access to eClass: You will have access to eClass for this course (course website). Materials posted on eClass will include the course outline, grades for exams as well as announcements necessary for the class and lectures. Other related materials will be added to the course website as deemed necessary and relevant.
PowerPoint slides will be posted on eClass after each class, which will contain the lecture topic, images, video questions, video links, and questions discussed in the class. However, my PowerPoint slides will NOT provide all the detailed answers of the topic covered or the questions discussed in the class.
Grade Criterion: Raw scores will be converted to a weighted total percentage, and the percentage will be converted to a grade on the 4-point scale or the 12-point letter grade system. The following table illustrates typical ranges used to convert percentages to 4-point grades, and grades are assigned in accordance with the University’s policy [see the University Calendar, Section 23.4(4)].
Anthropology Undergraduate Grading Scale1
Letter Grades Approximate Final Marks (%) Grade Point Value
A+ 95-100 4.0
A 90-94 4.0
A- 85-89 3.7
B+ 80-84 3.3
B 74-79 3.0
B- 70-73 2.7
C+ 66-69 2.3
C 63-65 2.0
C- 60-62 1.7
D+ 56-59 1.3
D 50-55 1.0
F 0-49 0
1 This is an expected distribution and the final grades must be approved by the chair of the Department of
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND COURSE POLICIES
Students are expected to be aware of their academic responsibilities as outlined in the Students’
Rights and Responsibilities section in the University Calendar. “Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.”
Student Responsibilities and Expectations: All students are expected to actively engage in the learning process (e.g. completing assigned class readings/online quizzes, attending class regularly and participating in class discussion). Students are highly encouraged to ask questions, both in class or privately during office hours. They are also expected to be respectful and courteous when asking questions and interacting each other in class.
Registration status and withdrawing from the Course: Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their registration in courses. All course requirements must be completed to pass the course.
Students who stop attending class must officially withdraw from the course. Failure to withdraw properly will result in a grade being assigned that is based on completed course work. Please see the University of Alberta academic calendar for important deadlines, relevant academic information and degree requirements.
Exams and Student Photo ID Requirement: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. At the discretion of the instructor, students may or may not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room for at least 30 minutes from the time the exam commenced.
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/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/Code
ofStudentBehaviour.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.”
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.
Academic Honesty: All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor. 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. See the Academic Discipline Process.
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.
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 (48 hours). 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.
Specialized Support & Disability Services: Students who require accommodation due to disability or special needs are encouraged to bring their situation to the attention of the instructor (s) as well as to contact Specialized Support and Disability Services (SSDS) immediately (2-800 SUB, Phone 780-492-3381, TTY 780-492-7269, Email [email protected]).
WEEKLY LECTURE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNED READINGS: The readings are used to illustrate lecture material. Please be sure to read the assigned readings before the subsequent lectures. Time
constraints may limit discussion of these in class, but they are nevertheless fair game for exam material and you will be examined on their content and relevance.
Dates Lecture Topic Readings (Text, articles,
video questions)
PPt#
Jan 4 Course Introduction
Jan 6 What is anthropology and what do anthropologists study and why?
Chapter #1: (Pp.3-19) PPt#1 Jan 8 Central concepts in anthropology
Quiz #1
Chapter #8: (Pp.229-45) PPt#2 Jan 11 Is culture unique to humans?
Film: A Conversation With Koko: The Gorilla
Questions on PPt#3 PPt#3 Jan 13 How do anthropologists study culture?
Quiz #2
Chapter #8: (Pp. 247-58) PPt#4 Jan 15 What do Linguistic Anthropologists do?
Quiz #3
Chapter #9: (Pp.261-72) PPt#5 Jan 18 How does cultural change affect human languages?
Quiz #4
Chapter #9: (Pp.272-82) PPt#6 Jan 20 The power of English as a global language
Film: English Birth of a Language
Questions on PPt#7 PPt#7 Jan 22 What is evolutionary theory and why is evolution
important to anthropologists?
Quiz #5
Chapter #2 (Pp. 31-57) PPt#8
Jan 25 Who are our ancestors?
Film: The Human Family Tree
Questions on PPt#9 PPt#9 Jan 27 What determines human variation? Biology, genetics,
culture, and environment Quiz #6
Chapter #3: (Pp.59-82) PPt#10
Jan 29 Review Class for 1st Midterm Exam PPt#11
Feb 1 Midterm Exam Feb 3 Is “race” a myth or real?
Film RACE: the power of an illusion
Questions on PPt#12 PPt#12 Feb 5 Why do anthropologists study living primates?
Quiz #7
Chapter #4: (Pp.97-116) PPt#13 Feb 8 What do anthropologists know about human origins?
Quiz #8
Chapter #5: (Pp.119-40) PPt#14 Feb 10 Continues…
Quiz #9
Chapter #5: (Pp.140-60) PPt#15 Feb 12 Film PETRA: Most Mysterious Archaeological Sites on Questions on PPt#16 PPt#16
Feb 15-19
NO CLASSES: Statutory Provincial holiday &
Winter Term Reading Week Feb 22 What do archaeologists do?
Quiz #10
Chapter #6: (Pp. 163-85) PPt#17 Feb 24 How has human civilization transformed?
Domestication of plants and animals and sedentism Quiz #11
Chapter #7: (Pp.193-213) PPt#18
Feb 26 The emergence of complex societies Quiz #12
Chapter #7: (Pp.213-27) PPt#19
Feb 29 Review class for 2nd midterm Exam PPt#20
Mar 2 2nd Midterm Exam
Mar 4 Knowing about the power of culture Film: Witchcraft Among the Azande
Questions on PPt#21 PPt#21 Mar 7 How do people make meaning in everyday life? Play,
art, rituals and myths
Chapter # 10 (Pp.289-307) PPt#22 Mar 9 Worldviews, symbols, religion and witchcrafts
Quiz #13
Chapter # 10 (Pp.307-21) PPt#23 Mar 11 How do anthropologists study economic relations?
Quiz #14
Chapter # 11 (Pp. 323-46) PPt#24 Mar 14 Interrelationships of culture, politics, and power
Quiz #15
Chapter # 12 (Pp. 349-70) PPt#25 Mar 16 Kinship, descent, and marriage
Quiz #16 Chapter # 13: (Pp. 373-96) PPt#26
Mar 18 Family, sexuality, and gender relations Quiz #17
Chapter # 13: (Pp. 396- 412)
PPt#27 Mar 21 What perpetuate social inequalities?
Quiz #18
Chapter # 14: (Pp. 415- 434).
PPt#28 Mar 23 Changing gender relations
Film: The Ascent of Woman: Revolution
Questions on PPt#29 PPt#29 Mar
25 & 28
NO CLASSS: Good Friday & Easter Monday Mar 30 What is Medical Anthropology?
Quiz #19
Chapter # 15: (Pp. 447-73) PPt#30 April 1 Anthropology in the changing globalized world
Quiz #20
Chapter #16 (479-509) PPt#31 April 4 Applied Anthropology: Anthropology in Everyday Life
Quiz #21
Chapter #2: (Pp. 46-47) Chapter #6: (P. 186).
Chapter #7: (Pp. 206-7) Chapter #9: (Pp. 279-81) Chapter #11: (Pp.332-33).
PPt#32
April 6 Applied Anthropology: Anthropology in Everyday Life Quiz #22
Chapter #12: (P. 358) Chapter #12: (P. 368).
Chapter #13: (Pp. 404-5) Chapter #14: (Pp. 436-37) Chapter #15: (Pp. 454-55) Chapter #16: (Pp. 494-95).
PPt#33
April 8 Review for Final Exam PPt#34
TBA Final Exam