1 Department of Anthropology Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology Anth 101 011 Anth101 081 Fall 2011 Class Time 10 10am 11 00am Instructor Dr Donna Budani Class Room Gore Hall Room 205 Office 138 Munroe Hall Office Hours MW 2 30P M 4 00P M 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 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 2nd edition Barbara Miller author Pearson Prentice Hall Publisher 2010 Make sure that you purchase the 2nd 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 3 All American Yemeni Girls Being Muslim in a Public School Loukia K Sarroub author Publisher University of Pennsylvania Press 2005 COURSE OBJECTIVES This course fulfills the multicultural requirement Upon successful completion of the course students will Understand key concepts relevant to cultural anthropology Understand major theoretical contributions of 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 PART 1 COURSE POLICIES 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 excuse for missing class i e illness sick 2 3 child 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 before 1P M on the day for which you are 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 4 points from your final grade Please note that each unexcused absence will result in a four 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 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 time having completed the assignment for the class Participation includes doing the assignment for each class meeting Taking part in group discussion watching films and answering questions when called upon Participation requires that you come to class prepared by doing the assignment for the class session TECHNOLOGY POLICY As a general rule all CELL PHONES IPODS IPHONES BLACKBERRY DEVICES LAPTOPS AND ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY upon entering the classroom Electronic devices are distracting and it is disrespectful to listen to your iPod send text messages send email or read email on your cell phone and or blackberry during class While laptops aid in note taking they are also distracting as you are tempted to surf the web and visit social network sites such as Face book You Tube and access Twitter Therefore there is a NO LAPTOP POLICY IN THIS CLASS If you engage in the aforementioned behaviors you will forfeit 10 points from your final grade The only circumstance under which a student may have a laptop in the classroom is if this is a necessary as part of a documented disability accommodation Students may not record this course in any fashion without written permission from me 3 4 POLICY PERSONAL SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES I assume that many of you work more than 20 hours a week travel to school in cars that break down or you have a demanding major or you have academic special circumstances or you have obligations to your family or you may have children of your own I expect that some