Professor M. Leonor Monreal
Fullerton College, Department of Anthropology
Website: staffwww.fullcoll.edu/mmonreal, email:
Office Hours: by appointment only. Office: 1423-02(C.O.B.)
Voice Mail (714) 992-7496
Anthropology 102 F SYLLABUS
Summer 2010
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of Cultural Anthropology. It is intended to give the student an overview of the various aspects of culture and how it makes up people’s core identity and ethnic differences. This course explores the various theoretical aspects of the anthropological study of cultures, while providing specific examples of various cultures in the world through the use of texts, films and lectures. Note: Due to the vast number of cultural groups we cannot cover all cultures during the course, but if you have any particular culture you would like to learn about please let me know so I can make an effort to incorporate it to the course schedule.
Course Objectives: upon completion of this course:
· The student will acquire a deeper understanding of various cultural groups around the world and their complex characteristics.
· The student will be able to analyze cross-culturally and holistically the various unique aspects of culture, including his/her own.
· Through the use of various films and research, the student will be able to ethnographically come in closer contact with all the various cultural aspects discussed in class, and will be able to put in practice some of the anthropological theories in the study of a cultural group.
· The student will increase cultural competence to apply to his/her daily life and social network
Course Requirements
· Required Text: Monreal’s customized version of Cultural Anthropology, 3rd
edition, by Nanda, Hogan & Monreal. 2009 Cengage Learning, ISBN-13:978-1-4240-7465-5.
A. Note: This customized textbook includes three texts which will be used throughout the course. You can also purchase each of the books separately (price may be higher). The titles of the books are as follows:
i. Culture Counts, A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology by Nanda/Warms
ii. The Fours Skills of Cultural Diversity Competence, Mikel Hogan
iii. The Maya, Yesterday and Today, M. Leonor Monreal (Optional)
B. 3 (882-E) Scantron sheets & 5 Quizzstrips
C. Possible attendance fee for a fieldtrip ($15 approx. e/a)
Class assignments
A. Readings and Participation-Weekly reading assignments are listed under the schedule section of this syllabus. The student is required to read the assigned chapters, this will aid in understanding the concepts and terms addressed, as well as to attain a passing score in the exams/quizzes. Additional articles may be assigned through the semester. The student must bring a journal with the answers to the Bringing It Back Home section at the end of each chapter to discuss in class. They are due prior to covering the class and will be a significant portion of the participation points (50 pts.).
B. Exams & Quizzes will cover material from lectures, class discussions, films, and assigned readings. The exams will have objective questions (such as multiple-choice, matching, true and false). There will be five quizzes (dropping the lowest score), and three exams (see schedule for dates and grading breakdown for points).
C. Make-up Policy: no make-up exams will be permitted under any circumstances. Please do not ask for special consideration. If you are unable to complete an exam or assignment by the respective due dates, deductions will be applied to your overall course grade. Extra credit may be allowed to make-up any points missed due to an emergency, a request in writing must be submitted as soon as the student returns to class.
D. Term Paper- Options to Choose from:
The will be a term paper for the semester which is worth 100 pts. (20% of your grade). There are five different assignment options to select from. You will be required to do only one. Each assignment will be due on the Thursday the week it was assigned, outlined on the class schedule. No late assignment will be accepted; if you miss the deadline do the next option. Please be aware of the deadlines and follow the requirements outlined for each of the assignments as your grade will depend on how thoroughly you complete each assignment (each paragraph should have at least 5 complete sentences). Grammar is evaluated as part of your grade, proof-read your assignment and include page numbers, must be double spaced. You must staple your paper and make sure I have checked off that you turned it in. Visit my website for samples of excellent papers done by previous students, avoid plagiarism, only use then as reference.
OPTIONS:
1- Culture- Using the material from chapters 1, 2 & 3 from Nanda’s textbook and chapters 1 &2 of Hogan’s Four Skills text. Answer each of the following assignments in detail:
a. Nanda- (worth 60 pts.)
- Give the definition of culture and its various aspects, then explain in your own words what culture is. (2-3 paragraphs min.)
-Discuss your views on The Nacirema, (p.2).
-B.I.B. H. Discuss the Anthropologists and Human Rights “You Decide” questions on page 65. (1 paragraph min. each)
b. Hogan- (worth 40 pts.)
-Explain Hogan’s definition of culture and the first Skill of Cultural Diversity Competence.
-Answer worksheets 4 & 5 as you analyze your personal culture (in relation to the 12 aspects of culture).
2- Language- after reading the material from Chapter 4- Nanda’s text, and chapters 3 & 4 of Hogan’s discuss the following:
a. Nanda- (worth 50 pts.)
-Define Language
-Discuss the structure of language
-Explain the complexity and interaction between language and culture (including the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis)
- Explain the complexity and importance of non-verbal communication, as well as the various subfields of study.
-Read and discuss the communication exchange among the Western Apache and what you think about it (p.78-79).
-Then answer the English Only “You Decide” questions on p. 90-91.
b. Hogan- (worth 50pts.)
-Read chapters 2 & 3, and explain Skill 2 and Skill 3 of Cultural Diversity Competence, including each of their components (i.e. the six barriers and fourteen competencies).
-Complete worksheets 13, 14 & 15.
3- Marriage & Gender- using the material from chapters 7 and 8 from Nanda’s text, as well as the articles How to be a Good Wife… discuss the following information (one paragraph for each aspect):
a. Marriage (worth 60pts.)
-Marriage Practices (including types and rules of marriage) explain what marriage is and the universality of marriage across cultures.
- Discuss how is marriage changing in the U.S., include statistics from the textbooks and the information from How to be a Good Wife handouts.
- Explain the functions of marriage as an institution and the challenges.
- Reflect on the effects of globalization in global marriage practices.
- Read and answer the questions from Polygamy in the United States “You Decide” (pp.164-165).
- Discuss concepts (both marriage and gender) from one the following films: Monsoon Wedding, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, License to Wed. (minimum one paragraph, not a summary of the film but an analysis as it pertains to our class).
b. Gender (worth 40 pts.)
- Define gender is and explain what alternative genders are, provide specific examples from the textbook.
- Describe how culture shapes and predisposes gender roles.
- Read and answer the Female Genital Operations and International Human Rights “You Decide” questions (p.191)
-Complete the gender activity (at end of PowerPoint).
4- Stratification: Classism & Racism- after reading the concepts from Hogan’s text (chapters 1-5) and Nanda’s chapters 10 & 11 complete the following:
a. Nanda- give an overview of social stratification, do you think it is a human universal to have social inequalities? Why or why not? Discuss the reasons and effects of social inequalities, racism, & prejudice (1-2 pages) by including information from at least one of these films: Skidrow, Crash, American History X. Answer the Bringing it Back Home: Government, Responsibility vs. The Gospel of Wealth and Class, Ethnicity, Race, and Educational Achievement “You Decide” questions (pp. 235-236, and 260-261). Explain the complexity of immigration and ethnicity in the U.S. from the text & one of these films: The Visitor, Under the Same Moon, El Norte, Born in East L.A., The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, In Good Hands, Voces Inocentes (1-2 paragraphs)
b. Hogan- Read and answer the questions from worksheet 12.
Grading Breakdown for Option 4:
1) Define Social Stratification and discuss if this is a human universal (something we'll always have), why or why not? 15pts.
2) Reasons and effects of social and human inequalities, racism, and prejudice.15pts.
3) Film analysis (from the list) 10pts.
4) B.I.B.H. for each chapter (2) Gov. vs. Gospel of Wealth & Class, Ethnicity, Race & Education.20 pts. (10 ea.)
5) Immigration int he U.S. & Ethnicity (Use Nanda's book, Hogan's book, and the Race film we watched).15 pts.
6) Film on immigration (from the list) 10 pts.
7) Hogan's Worksheet 12.15 pts.
5- Globalization- Case Study Analysis- The Maya Yesterday & Today and Globalization
a) Case Study- The Maya, Yesterday and Today
-Answer 3 questions per chapter (six chapters total) of your choice by writing the question and answer. You should have a total of 18 questions (2pts. each plus 2 points for overall presentation) total worth 40 pts.
b) GlobalizationEssay (worth 60 pts.)
-Define Globalization 15pts.
-Discuss the negative as well as positive effects of globalization (can use films and book as sources, not opinion based) 15pts.
- Analyze at least two of the following films (one paragraph each min.)Bordertown, Walmart, the high cost of low prices, The Corporation, God Grew Tired of Us, Slumdog Millionaire. 20 pts.
-B.I.B.H. 'You Decide' questions How Flat is your World? (pp.334-335) 10 pts.
Grading Breakdown & Policy Points Earned:
6 Quizzes- 10 points each (drop lowest score) 50 points ______
3 Exams (100 pts. each) 300 points ______
1 Assignment (from 5 Options) 100 points ______
Participation in weekly activities & discussions 50 points ______
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 500 points
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
500 – 448 = A
447 – 398 = B
397 – 348 = C
347 – 298 = D
297 or less = F
Extra Credit- extra credit may be granted to students who had an emergency during the semester. The student must submit a request in writing with documentation of emergency as soon as she/he misses the assignment and the instructor will notify the student whether the request will be granted.
Extra Credit Options (5 points each, up to 15 pts. max.)
Write a (1 to 3 page) essay where you address a summary of the event, how it relates to class and your honest opinion. You must attach a ticket stub or receipt for any museum or event you attend.
· Film Review (instructor’s approval required)
· Museum Visit (instructor’s approval required)
· Cultural Event Report (instructor’s approval required)
· Article Review
· Class Field Trip (possible class fieldtrip, date to be announced)
· Monreal’s Maya Case Study (included in textbook) chapter questions.
Attendance & Punctuality:
Attending class is key to your success in this class, part of your grade will be based on your participation in class activities, film questions and other. You are required to be on time for attaining and understanding the material discussed in class. Students who are late will loose participation points for the day. Excessive tardiness will severely impact your grade and may result in being dropped from the class. Three tardies will constitute one absence, and over 20% may result in being dropped from the course. It is your responsibility to drop through admission and records. If you are absent be sure to get notes from other students in class in order to find out what you missed (DO NOT ask me). Please see me if you have any situations which may result in excessive tardiness or absences. If an emergency of situation occurs causing a delay (parking, alarm clocks, children, pets, life, etc.), please be respectful to others and quietly find a seat in the back of the classroom. YOU MUST NOTIFY ME at the end of class to avoid being marked absent for the day. Attendance is recorded daily.
Late Assignments & Make up exams
All assignments must be turned in on time, late assignments are not accepted. All assignments must be turned into me IN PERSON, there will be no assignments accepted via email or dropped off at the mail box. Make-up exams may be granted on documented emergency situations only. You must contact me within 24hrs. but all make up exams will be done the day of the final. Quizzes cannot be made up as we drop a quiz score.
Classroom Behavior
In any anthropology course, the key elements to effective learning are based on the freedom to express ideas without feeling threatened of being ridiculed. Additionally, many topics covered may arise questions that might challenge other people’s (or your own) beliefs. The following guidelines will ensure that the class provides a comfortable and respectful environment for all:
1. Be courteous to others by waiting your turn to speak
2. During lecture, do not interrupt by talking to others.
3. Cell phones must be turned off or on silent mode at all times, text messaging is not permitted during class time.
4. You must be awake during class or will be asked to leave.
5. There is no such a thing as a “dumb questions”
6. If you need to leave the class, please do so quietly, without disturbing other students.
7. Please arrive early to class.
8. Under Fullerton College policy, no children nor visitors are allowed in class.
Academic Honesty
As a college student, you are expected to follow these rules:
· DO NOT COPY ANY WORK, plagiarism is highly penalized, please see catalog for policy pertaining to plagiarism.
· Any talking, or other form of distraction during an exam may result in a failing grade and asking the student to leave for the remainder of the exam.
· Cheating during any exam or quiz may result in additional disciplinary actions by the college administrator. Please refer to the Academic Honesty section in the Fullerton College catalog for more information.