1 Department of Anthropology Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology Anth 101 010 Anth101 080 SPRING 2011 SYLLABUS Class Time 11 00am 12 15pm Instructor Dr Donna Budani Class Room Kirkbride Hall Room 204 Office 138 Munroe Hall Office Hours Wednesday Voice Mail 831 1859 Email budani udel edu Web Page www udel edu anthro budani COURSE DESCRPTION This course is an introduction to global diversity through the discipline of cultural anthropology Cultural anthropology offers a way of understanding both the commonalities across societies as well as the diversity of human societies It offers tools for understanding the distinctive ways in which people made sense of their world and frames our own world in a new perspective Although it is impossible to cover the global scope of cultural diversity in one semester through readings lectures class discussions videos and films we will explore the tremendous variety in worldview cultural traditions and social organization among people and cultures different from our own culture The course introduces key concepts including ethnocentrism cultural relativism kinship gender culture religion race nationalism and globalization and provides an opportunity to learn more about these concepts in a variety of social and cultural contexts within and outside the U S A critical goal of anthropology is to show how people make sense and give meaning to their lives Culture is best viewed as a system of knowledge that both generates and interprets behavior Everywhere cultural knowledge is encoded in peoples values behaviors norms attitudes and world views One s own culture is invisible while the culture that is different from one s own culture is clearly visible Students will learn about the cultural diversity found worldwide This learning process involves a fascinating experience in which our western ideas and assumptions are revealed to us and challenged when we learn about the cultures in non western societies 1 2 COURSE BOOKS 1 Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World 3nd edition Barbara Miller author Pearson Prentice Hall Publisher 2010 You need to make sure that you purchase the 3nd edition 2 You are also responsible for the ELECTRONIC ACCESS CODE to the MYANTHROLAB website which accompanies the Miller text There is no additional cost for the access code to MYANTHROLAB as it is included in the purchase price of Miller s Cultural Anthropology in a Globalizing World 3e COURSE ID cm578819 3 Moving The Rock Poverty and Faith in a Black Store Front Church Mary E Abrums author Rowman Littlefield Publisher 4 Changing Identities Vietnamese Americans 1975 1995 James M Freeman author Publisher Allyn Bacon 5 Buzkashi Game and Power in Afghanistan G Whitney Azoy author Third Edition Waveland Press Publisher 6 The Swallows of Kabul Yasmina Khadra author Anchor Books Publisher COURSE OBJECTIVES This course fulfills the multicultural requirement Upon successful completion of the course students will Understand key concepts relevant to cultural anthropology Recognize and understand general patterns in social organization Have an increased appreciation and respect for the values of cultural diversity Change your perspective of cultures different from your own as well as alter your perspective of your own culture IMPORTANT TO KNOW This course is rigorous and demanding If you take this section of Anth101 you will have multiple assignments for most class session Also I designed the course to enhance skill acquisition in critical reading writing and thinking If you read the assignments carefully you will find that the actual work required is manageable In fact the majority of the assignments require that you will primarily read and listen Writing is not extensive 2 3 Keep in mind that for Sakai assignments you are not expected to complete assignments until Saturday by 11 30 pm of the week assigned For example if you have an assignment which is submitted to Sakai on Tuesday February 14th it is not due until Saturday February 18th at 11 30pm and if you have an assignment for Sakai for Thursday February 16 the assignment is not due until Saturday 18th at 11 30pm Assignments on MyAnthroLab are self paced so long as all assignments for MyAnthroLab are completed by May 10 2012 However if after you review the syllabus you feel that the course requirements are excessive then I suggest you drop the course or try to change into another section sections Also I advise you to read Course Policies to ensure you can comply with these policies PART 1 COURSE POLICIES CHANGES IN ASSIGNMENT SYLLABUS I reserve the right to make changes to the course and syllabus as I deem necessary Students are responsible for reading the syllabus thoroughly so that they are familiar with all policies and the consequences for violating these policies ATTENDANCE Regular and consistent attendance is mandatory Your success in this course is dependent upon your regular attendance and participation I will take attendance for each class session An attendance form will be past out at the beginning of class If you should miss the attendance form it is your responsibility to check the attendance form before you leave class Otherwise if your name appears without a check mark you will be counted as absent If you have a legitimate reason for missing class i e illness sick child or child care problem car troubles athletic activities death in the family and family responsibilities you are eligible for an excused absence An excused absence requires that I receive an email explaining your absence the day before 11 00 am for the day which you will be absent To obtain an excused absence you must have my permission for your absence If I do not receive notice explaining your absence your absence is unexcused thus you will forfeit 7 points from your final grade Please note that each unexcused absence will result in a 7 point forfeit from your final grade Students who must miss class are responsible for obtaining class notes from another student and should attend office hours to review missed material 3 4 TIMELY ARRIVAL TO CLASS Students are expected to arrive in class on time Arriving late distracts me and causes disruption in the class Four points will be deducted from your final grade for each late arrival If there are circumstances beyond your control which prevents your timely arrival to class it is your responsibility to speak to me early in the class term PARTICIPATION Participation includes coming to class on