Four-Field Introduction to Anthropology . . . sample syllabus
Anth 1. Dr. John B. Gatewood
Introduction to Anthropology Price Hall, Room 10-C
Spring, 2009 758-3814 / JBG1
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 433-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) Window on Humanity: A Concise Introduction to
Anthropology, 3rd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0073405272.
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 one short paper assignment. Exams
are mostly multiple-choice format, with some points allocated to short essay
questions. The paper assignment will be distributed later. Each exam is worth
100 points, and the paper assignment is also 100 points; thus, there are a
total of 500 possible points in the course. If you earn 90.0% or more of
these possible points, your course grade will be some kind of A; 80.0% through
89.9% 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
(Monday classes are 2 hours)
1. Jan 12 (M) A. What Is Anthropology?
Readings: Kottak, chapter 1 (pp. 3-22)
B. Film: "Anthropologists at Work" (1993, 36 min)
2. Jan 14 (W) Applying Anthropology
Readings: Kottak, chapter 18 (pp. 394-415)...recommended
Ethics and Methods
Readings: Kottak, chapter 2 (pp. 23-46)...recommended
= = = = = = = = Physical Anthropology and Archaeology = = = = = = = =
3. Jan 16 (F) Evolution, Genetics, and Human Variation
Readings: Kottak, chapter 3 (pp. 47-68)
4. Jan 19 (M) A. The Primates
Readings: Kottak, chapter 4 (pp. 69-99)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 1" (1994, 60 min)
5. Jan 21 (W) The Primates
Readings: Kottak, chapter 4 (pp. 69-87)
6. Jan 23 (F) Primate Evolution
Readings: Kottak, chapter 4 (pp. 87-99)
7. Jan 26 (M) A. Early Hominins
Readings: Kottak, chapter 5 (pp. 100-119)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 2" (1994, 60 min)
8. Jan 28 (W) Early Hominins
Readings: Kottak, chapter 5 (pp. 120-143)
9. Jan 30 (F) The Genus Homo
Readings: Kottak, chapter 6 (pp. 120-143)
10. Feb 2 (M) A. The Genus Homo
Readings: Kottak, chapter 6 (pp. 120-143)
B. Film: "In Search of Our Ancestors, Part 3" (1994, 60 min)
11. Feb 4 (W) Modern Humans
Readings: Kottak, chapter 6 (pp. 120-143)
12. Feb 6 (F) Human Diversity and "Race"
Readings: Kottak, chapter 3 (pp. 60-68)
13. Feb 9 (M) A. Human Diversity and "Race"
Readings: Kottak, chapter 3 (pp. 60-68)
B. Film: "Iraq: Cradle of Civilization" (1991, 57 min)
14. Feb 11 (W) ---------- FIRST EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6, with just a
few questions from chapter 1]
15. Feb 13 (F) The First Farmers
Readings: Kottak, chapter 7 (pp. 144-163)
16. Feb 16 (M) A. The First Cities and States
Readings: Kottak, chapter 8 (pp. 164-187)
B. Film: "Collapse" (1994, 60 min)
= = = = = = = = Sociocultural Anthropology = = = = = = = =
[ Start reading Chagnon’s, The Yanomamo ]
17. Feb 18 (W) Ethnographic Fieldwork
Readings: Kottak, chapter 2 (pp. 23-46) ... recommended
[Chagnon, preface, prologue, and chapter 1]
18. Feb 20 (F) Culture
Readings: Kottak, chapter 9 (pp. 188-204)
19. Feb 23 (M) A. Culture
Readings: Kottak, chapter 9 (pp. 188-204)
B. Film: "A Man Called ‘Bee’: Studying the
Yanomamo" (1974, 40 min)
20. Feb 25 (W) Language and Communication
Readings: Kottak, chapter 10 (pp. 205-227)
21. Feb 27 (F) Language and Communication
Readings: Kottak, chapter 10 (pp. 205-227)
22. Mar 9 (M) A. Ethnicity and Race
Readings: Kottak, chapter 17 (pp. 370-393)
B. Film: "Discovering the Human Language: Colorless
Green Ideas" (1995, 55 min)
23. Mar 11 (W) ---------- SECOND EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, and 17]
24. Mar 13 (F) Making a Living: Production
Readings: Kottak, chapter 11 (pp. 228-251)
[Chagnon, chapter 2]
25. Mar 16 (M) A. Making a Living: Reproduction
Readings: Kottak, chapter 11 (pp. 228-251)
B. Film: "Land of the Long Day" (1952, 38 min)
26. Mar 18 (W) Making a Living: Systems of Exchange
Readings: Kottak, chapter 11 (pp. 228-251)
[Chagnon, chapter 5]
27. Mar 20 (F) Political Systems
Readings: Kottak, chapter 12 (pp. 253-277)
[Chagnon, chapter 6]
28. Mar 23 (M) A. Political Systems
Readings: Kottak, chapter 12 (pp. 253-277)
[Chagnon, chapter 7]
B. Film: "The Feast" (1970, 29 min)
29. Mar 25 (W) Kinship and Descent
Readings: Kottak, chapter 13 (pp. 278-303)
[Chagnon, chapter 4]
30. Mar 27 (F) Kinship and Descent
Readings: Kottak, chapter 13 (pp. 278-303)
31. Mar 30 (M) A. Families and Marriage
Readings: Kottak, chapter 13 (pp. 278-303)
B. Film: "Masai Women" (1974, 52 min)
32. Apr 1 (W) Gender
Readings: Kottak, chapter 14 (pp. 304-325)
33. Apr 3 (F) Sexuality
Readings: Kottak, chapter 14 (pp. 304-325)
34. Apr 6 (M) A. ---------- THIRD EXAM ----------
[covering chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14]
B. Film: "Four Families" (1959, 60 min)
35. Apr 8 (W) Religion
Readings: Kottak, chapter 15 (pp. 326-346)
[Chagnon, chapter 3]
36. Apr 10 (F) Religion
Readings: Kottak, chapter 15 (pp. 326-346)
37. Apr 13 (M) A. Expressive Culture and the Arts
Readings: none
B. Film: "First Contact" (1983, 54 min)
38. Apr 15 (W) Psychological/Cognitive Anthropology
Readings: none
39. Apr 17 (F) The Modern World System
Readings: Kottak, chapter 16 (pp. 347-369)
40. Apr 20 (M) A. Colonialism and Development
Readings: Kottak, chapter 16 (pp. 347-369)
B. Film: "Anthropology on Trial" (1983, 57 min)
41. Apr 22 (W) Cultural Exchange and Survival
Readings: Kottak, chapter 19 (pp. 416-433)
[Chagnon, chapter 8]
42. Apr 24 (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).