Four-Field Introduction to Anthropology . . . sample syllabus
Anth 1. Introduction to Anthropology Fall, 2007
Dr. John B. Gatewood Intan Suwandi, T.A.
Price Hall, Room 10-C Price Hall, Room 301
758-3814 / JBG1 758-3812 / IFS206
OVERVIEW
This is a first course in anthropology an introduction to the study of human
origins and culture. There are three main objectives: (1) to understand how
humans evolved into the only truly "cultural species" on this planet; (2) to
provide a framework for the comparative study of human life ways; and (3) to
help you see some problems of modern living in a broader, more global
perspective.
Generally speaking, we will cover in one or two class periods topics that fill
entire semesters in upper-level courses. What we lose in detail and depth, we
gain in enlarged perspective and sense of the inter-relatedness of issues. The
rapid pace, however, makes it imperative that students not fall behind in the
readings. Each chapter of the 594-page text is full of ideas, terminology,
arguments, and supporting facts, and we usually have only one day per chapter.
Similarly, the single ethnography is 260 pages, yet we'll have very little
time to discuss it directly. Thus, students will need to read assignments
carefully BEFORE coming to lectures, as well as review the readings
afterwards. I also encourage each of you to come see me whenever you have
questions.
MATERIALS
Textbook:
Conrad Kottak (2008) Anthropology: The Exploration of Human Diversity,
12th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0073530948.
Ethnography:
Napoleon Chagnon (1997) The Yanomamo, 5th Edition. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth. ISBN: 0155053272.
REQUIREMENTS
Your grade in the course will be determined by the percentage of points you
earn on four non-cumulative hour exams and at least one short paper
assignment. Exams are mostly multiple-choice format, with some points
allocated to matching and short essay questions. The paper assignment(s) will
be distributed later. Each exam is worth 100 points, and the paper
assignment(s) total to 100 points; thus, there are a total of 500 possible
points in the course. If you earn 90% or more of these possible points, your
course grade will be some kind of A; 80% through 89% is some kind of B; and so
forth.
GROUND RULES
EXAM POLICY. You are responsible for taking all four exams during their
scheduled times. Any exception must be approved by me (John Gatewood)
*IN ADVANCE* of the exam. Please note that talking with a secretary, phoning
and leaving a message, e-mailing, etc., is not sufficient you must obtain my
permission beforehand to re-schedule an exam. Otherwise, failure to take an
exam as scheduled will result in an automatic "F" in the course, irrespective
of what grades you may have earned on other requirements.
ATTENDANCE POLICY. Attendance is required; there are no "free cuts." Also, you
should arrive for class on time. Although I do not routinely take attendance,
I think you will find that coming to class regularly is most helpful in
understanding course materials. In addition, there will be occasional
opportunities for students to earn bonus points during class time, but only
those in attendance can benefit.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. If you have a disability for
which you are or may be requesting accommodations, please contact both your
instructor and the Office of Academic Support Services, University Center 212
(610-758-4152) as early as possible in the semester. You must have
documentation from the Academic Support Services Office before accommodations
can be granted.
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS & ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 27 (M) A. What Is Anthropology?
Readings: Kottak, chapter 1 (pp. 3-21)
B. Film: "Anthropologists at Work" (1993, 36 min.)
2. Aug 29 (W) Applying Anthropology
Readings: Kottak, chapter 2 (pp. 23-41)... recommended
Ethics and Methods in Physical Anthropology and
Archaeology
Readings: Kottak, chapter 3 (pp. 43-61)...recommended
= = = = = = = = Physical Anthropology and Archaeology = = = = = = = =
3. Aug 31 (F) Evolution and Genetics
Readings: Kottak, chapter 4 (pp. 63-83)
4. Sept 3 (M) A. The Primates
Readings: Kottak, chapter 6 (pp. 103-131)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 1" (1994, 60 min.)
5. Sept 5 (W) The Primates
Readings: Kottak, chapter 6 (pp. 109-131)
6. Sept 7 (F) Primate Evolution
Readings: Kottak, chapter 7 (pp. 133-151)
7. Sept 10 (M) A. Early Hominins
Readings: Kottak, chapter 8 (pp. 153-171)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 2" (1994, 60 min.)
8. Sept 12 (W) Early Hominins
Readings: Kottak, chapter 8 (pp. 153-171)
9. Sept 14 (F) Modern Humans
Readings: Kottak, chapter 9 (pp. 193-203)
10. Sept 17 (M) A. Modern Humans
Readings: Kottak, chapter 9 (pp. 193-203)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 3" (1994, 60 min.)
11. Sept 19 (W) Modern Humans
Readings: Kottak, chapter 9 (pp. 193-203)
12. Sept 21 (F) Human Diversity and "Race"
Readings: Kottak, chapter 5 (pp. 85-101)
13. Sept 24 (M) A. Human Diversity and "Race"
Readings: Kottak, chapter 5 (pp. 85-101)
B. Film: "Iraq: Cradle of Civilization" (1991, 57 min.)
14. Sept 26 (W) ---------- FIRST EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 5, with just a few
questions from chapter 1]
15. Sept 28 (F) The First Farmers
Readings: Kottak, chapter 10 (pp. 205-227)
16. Oct 1 (M) A. The First Cities and States
Readings: Kottak, chapter 11 (pp. 229-257)
B. Film: "Collapse" (1994, 60 min.)
= = = = = = = = Sociocultural Anthropology = = = = = = = =
[ start reading Chagnon's, The Yanomamo ]
17. Oct 3 (W) Ethics and Methods in Cultural Anthropology
Readings: Kottak, chapter 12 (pp. 259-276)...recommended
[Chagnon, preface, prologue, and chapter 1]
18. Oct 5 (F) Culture
Readings: Kottak, chapter 13 (pp. 279-296)
19. Oct 10 (W) Culture
Readings: Kottak, chapter 13 (pp. 279-296)
20. Oct 12 (F) Ethnicity and Race
Readings: Kottak, chapter 14 (pp. 299-325)
21. Oct 15 (M) A. Language and Communication
Readings: Kottak, chapter 15 (pp. 327-352)
B. Film: "Discovering the Human Language: Colorless
Green Ideas" (1995, 55 min.)
22. Oct 17 (W) Language and Communication
Readings: Kottak, chapter 15 (pp. 327-352)
23. Oct 19 (F) ---------- SECOND EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 10, 11, 13, 14, and 15]
24. Oct 22 (M) A. Making a Living: Production
Readings: Kottak, chapter 16 (pp. 355-379);
[Chagnon, chapter 2]
B. Film: "Land of the Long Day" (1952, 38 min.)
25. Oct 24 (W) Making a Living: Reproduction
Readings: Kottak, chapter 16 (pp. 355-379)
26. Oct 26 (F) Making a Living: Systems of Exchange
Readings: Kottak, chapter 16 (pp. 355-379);
[Chagnon, chapter 5]
27. Oct 29 (M) A. Political Systems
Readings: Kottak, chapter 17 (pp. 381-407);
[Chagnon, chapter 6]
B. Film: "The Feast" (1970, 29 min.)
28. Oct 31 (W) Political Systems
Readings: Kottak, chapter 17 (pp. 381-407);
[Chagnon, chapter 7]
29. Nov 2 (F) Families, Kinship, and Descent
Readings: Kottak, chapter 18 (pp. 409-429);
[Chagnon, chapter 4]
30. Nov 5 (M) A. Families, Kinship, and Descent
Readings: Kottak, chapter 18 (pp. 409-429)
B. Film: "Masai Women" (1974, 52 min.)
31. Nov 7 (W) Marriage
Readings: Kottak, chapter 19 (pp. 431-452)
32. Nov 9 (F) Gender
Readings: Kottak, chapter 20 (pp. 455-481)
33. Nov 12 (M) A. Sexuality
Readings: none
B. Film: "Four Families" (1959, 60 min.)
34. Nov 14 (W) ---------- THIRD EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20]
35. Nov 16 (F) Religion
Readings: Kottak, chapter 21 (pp. 483-505);
[Chagnon, chapter 3]
36. Nov 19 (M) A. Religion
Readings: Kottak, chapter 21 (pp. 483-505)
B. Film: "Holy Ghost People" (1983, 54 min.)
37. Nov 26 (M) A. The Arts
Readings: Kottak, chapter 22 (pp. 507-527)
B. Film: "First Contact" (1983, 54 min.)
38. Nov 28 (W) Psychological/Cognitive Anthropology
Readings: none
39. Nov 30 (F) The Modern World System
Readings: Kottak, chapter 23 (pp. 529-547)
40. Dec 3 (M) A. Colonialism and Development
Readings: Kottak, chapter 24 (pp. 549-569)
B. Film: "Anthropology on Trial" (1983, 57 min.)
41. Dec 5 (W) Cultural Exchange and Survival
Readings: Kottak, chapter 25 (pp. 571-594);
[Chagnon, chapter 8]
42. Dec 7 (F) Course Summary and Student Evaluations
-------- PAPER ASSIGNMENT Due --------
REMINDER: The FOURTH HOUR EXAM will be held during the first 60 minutes of
the "final exam" period assigned us by the Registrar. The fourth exam is non-
cumulative, i.e., it is an hour exam covering only those topics covered in
lectures and the Kottak text from the last quarter of the course (since the
third exam).