Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ON-LINE

Course Number: ANTH 2233

Instructor: Priscilla Stillwell

Phone: (870)248-4000  ext. 4143.  Office is located on Pocahontas Campus - AD152.

Website: http://faculty.blackrivertech.org/pstillwell/

Email: priscillas@blackrivertech.org

Office Hours: 

Textbooks: Haviland, W. A., Prins, H.E.L., Walrath, D., McBride, B. (2005). Cultural Anthropology, (11^th ed.) Wadsworth, Thomas Learning.  

This course is completely on Blackboard.  In order to become a member of the class you must complete the following:

1. Register

    a. This means you MUST also have a computer or have access to one.   

    b. I will not accept "My computer crashed." as an excuse for ANYTHING. 

2. Pay Tuition and Fees.

3. Log on to Blackboard: http://blackboard.blackrivertech.org/

Once there, click on Login.  Then type in your username.  Your username is your first name(.) last name.

Example: priscilla.stillwell

Your username is the last four digits of your social security number and your birth date.  

Example: 22225784   {2222=last for digits of SS#, 5784=birthdate}

Place yourself into my class by clicking on the Spring section of the Course Catalog. Then choose Social Sciences.  Then click on the Introduction to Cultural Anthropology.  

5. Complete the Successful Student Agreement Form now if you have not done so.  The web address for this can be found in the Announcement section which should pop up immediately after you log in to the class.  

Course Description: This course is the study of the nature of man and human culture. Cultural anthropology will provide the tools necessary to begin to understand the different forms which behavior takes in different cultures, even though there are basic universals or similarities to human behavior. It also provides techniques for fieldwork in the study of culture.

Course Objectives:

1.To understand the concepts of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.

2.To know the distinct cultural forms possible in the areas of social, economic, political, and religious life of members of another culture or sub-culture.

3.To acquire ability to distinguish cultural differences through viewing a wide panorama of cultures from around the world, having the various types of differences pointed out.

4.To acquire ability to diagram kinship relationships, at least at a basic level, in order to better understand the family and social relationships of other cultures.

5.To acquire ability to analyze structure and function of the traits of a cultures in relation to the whole.

Course Requirements:

1.Read chapters and supplemental readings and complete all review questions provided by instructor.

2.Log in to Blackboard and post your answers to the discussion questions found in discussion board.  There are several sections to discussion board: One section is for questions or problems that you would like me to address. If the nature of your discussion is private, please phone me or come by my office.   One section is for student use in case you have questions among yourselves.  I will not be reading this, so do not ask me questions there.  The last 12 sections are specific questions related to topics within the chapters.  Three will be graded for every test.  The three are worth 5 points for a total of 15 points, and in order to get those points:

You must post three substantial messages to each question and provide detail. Grammar and mechanics will also be included in the evaluation of these assignments. Better grades will go to those who read his/her classmates’ answers and responds to them. I will be looking for the following answers that:

1. bring up relevant questions and new ideas
2. clearly answer the question
3. clarify a point
4. use a personal story/situation that illustrates a point

First and foremost...answer the question. Secondly, respond at least twice to your classmates. Words are 75% of my job, so I know how to answer someone without even listening to him/her. I call them fillers. Here are some examples:

"Well, I'll be."
"You don't say?"
"How about that?"
"I agree."
"Really?"
"Impressive."

I read ALL of your comments, and I don't count them as part of your grade just because you made them. I am looking for substance. If you are not pleased with your grade, look to see if you answered the question first, and then look to see if you responded the appropriate # of times, and were your responses on-target or just fillers. That is how I grade.

If it seems I am trying to force you to communicate, congratulations, you have indeed understood.  Experience has taught me that individuals who do not communicate are often confused about assignments, misunderstand the requirements of the course, and do not take responsibility for their own learning. 

1.     Each student will be required to complete 4 tests.  The tests will be given on line.  They will only be available on the dates and times listed below in the Course Outline. They have a two-hour time limit.  The student will be given a set of review questions listed in the course information, which must be completed and submitted by the day of the test.  Students may use their review questions, the supplemental reading, and the textbook to complete tests.  The review questions are worth 50 points, the test is worth 35, and participation on the discussion board is worth 15 points of every section test.  The test is ONE ESSAY QUESTION and it is COMPREHENSIVE. You may only make-up one test.  In order to make up a test, you must contact me prior to the test date or if circumstances do not permit this, you must make up your test in my office within one week of the missed test date.

2.     Each student will be required to complete two 8 page papers.  The papers will be worth 100 points each.  The papers will include an essay on a selection of reading assignments I will provide and an essay on world perception of American Affairs.  The Papers will require at least 5 sources.   Only NON-FICTION BOOK Sources and journals in the anthropological, historical, or psychological field will be accepted. Internet sources are not acceptable unless they meet the criteria stated. All books and journals must be pre-approved.  Your paper should 8 pages in length (this does not include your cover sheet or your reference page) in APA style (http://www.wooster.edu/psychology/apa-crib.html), be typed (Times New Roman, 12 point), double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides. There should be a cover sheet that includes the following information: Name of Report, to whom the paper is presented, the name of the school, the date, and the student’s name. You should also attach a bibliography listing the books you have used for your study. NOTE: The cover page and bibliography do not count as part of your 8 pages.  Please post the paper in the Blackboard Drop Box.  I will grade it and send it back to you.

5. Grading Scale:

a.      100 – 90 = A

b.      89 – 80 = B

c.      79 – 70 = C

d.      69 – 60 = D

e.      Below 60 = F

6. Participation: Online participation will be a specific percentage of your grade, will be used as a consideration when determining grades for the semester, and may be a grading consideration when determining a borderline grade. Your participation will be determined by the quality, not the quantity, of your weekly participation in discussions and messages. You must post at least a total of three substantial message two days out of seven to the main discussion area (that will be a minimum of three messages, one on one day and two on another). Neither contact with me or study group interaction nor posting a scheduled assignment is considered participation.

7. Attendance: Your attendance will be determined by your participation in discussion board, your response to messages and assignments, and your submission of assignments. You must post a minimum of 3 messages to each discussion question, not my personal e-mail, during every week to be counted in attendance.  If you have an emergency or other situation, contact me immediately.

9. Late Papers: Late papers will be lowered one letter grade per day that they are late including holidays and weekends. They will not be accepted after three days. Late papers will not be docked one letter grade only if previous permission has been granted. The student must speak to the instructor before the paper is due. Absence is not an excuse for late papers. All papers are to be original ideas only. No papers will be accepted that have had research or the inclusion of ANY internet information unless specifically stated.

10. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is using another person’s work without documenting where it was located or gaining their consent. Plagiarism is a serious crime. If a student turns in a plagiarized paper, it will receive a zero and may result in a F for the course.  A letter about the student detailing the incident will me sent to the Division Chair, Registrar, and Vice President of Academics.  The student will also be unable to drop the class.  

Course Outline:

Note 1: You are expected to establish personal access to the Internet and to communicate with me via email if necessary.

Note 2: If you have a documented disabling condition, you are expected to meet with me as soon as possible to arrange appropriate modifications.  If you have a disabling condition that has not been documented by the Office of Disability Services, you must complete the appropriate documentation before requesting modifications.

Note 3: This syllabus is intended as a guide for the course and is subject to changes as situations warrant at the discretion of the instructor. 

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