Introduction to Anthropology

Transcription

1 ANT 2000 S P R I N G Introduction to Anthropology I N S I D E T H I S S Y L L A B U S : Policies. 2-3 Course Outline. 4 Tips for Success. 5 Tibetan Kapala (skull cup) M / W / F : 5 0 A M Course Description Whenever you take a trip, do you people-watch and wonder about these interesting humans that surround you? Why they look the way they do? How they know how to behave in different situations? Why they eat really weird foods? Anthropology the study of human evolution and culture answers these questions using a holistic, biocultural framework. Dr. Kristina Killgrove is an anthropologist specializing in the analysis of human skeletons from archaeological sites in the Roman Empire. Office: Building 13, Room 129 Office Hours: Wed/Fri 12-1:30pm killgrove@uwf.edu / Phone: B L D G 1 1 R O O M This semester, we will explore the relationship between human bodies and human culture, using the four fields of anthropological inquiry. How and why did our physiques evolve into the form we see today? What cultural and environmental influences affect human variation throughout the world? What effects do religion, law, and society have on the way people think about, discuss, and use their bodies today? ANT2000 is designated as a General Studies course. The General Studies curriculum at the University of West Florida is designed to provide a comprehensive program of study that promotes the development of a broadly educated person and provides the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in university studies. This course has been approved as meeting your requirement in the Behavioral area. The major General Studies learning outcomes for this course are Writing and Diversity. Subfields of Anthropology

2 Requirements P A G E 2 Texts Kottak, C.P Anthropology: Appreciating Human Diversity, 14th Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN Webster, D Meeting the Family: One Man s Journey Through His Human Ancestry. National Geographic. ISBN Two articles available through elearning by H. Miner and J. Diamond. Exams (80%): There will be four exams given in this course during the semester. Each exam will count as 20% of your course grade. There will be one make-up exam, given on the day and time of the final (May 3 at 8am). This make-up is optional; it will be cumulative and will replace your lowest exam score. Each exam will have three points of extra credit available. The withdrawal deadline for this course is March 22. Grading Scale Response Papers (20%): In addition to your course text, you will read the travelogue Meeting the Family, by journalist Donovan Webster. For each half of the book, you will write a response paper. The first paper will focus on Webster s treatment of biological and archaeological anthropology, and the second will focus on cultural and linguistic anthropology. More information and a grading rubric will be posted on elearning I chose (to study) cultural anthropology since it offered the greatest opportunity to write high-minded balderdash. - Kurt Vonnegut A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F Behavior This class will sometimes cover controversial topics such as gender, ethnicity, and race. All efforts will be made to present information in a social scientific manner as well as to encourage productive dialogue and discussion. I expect all students to treat each other and me with respect at all times. No opinions or speech that discriminate against or are derogatory towards others on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability will be tolerated. Laptop use in class is permitted, but students engaging in overt and constant web surfing will be asked to close their computers, as this distracts the entire class. Students should also refrain from unacceptable behavior such as sleeping, using their cell phones, or talking with classmates at inappropriate times. Such behaviors will result in the student s being asked to leave the classroom. The Student Code of Conduct applies to this class. Quizzes and exams are closed book. All written reports must also be the work of each individual student. If you have questions, see me before undertaking an assignment. I N T R O D U C T I O N T O A N T H R O P O L O G Y

3 M / W / F : 5 0 A M Attendance College courses are about learning a wealth of material in a short period of time, with the goal of being able to think critically about the topic at hand. As such, attendance at lecture is mandatory and will greatly increase your ability to understand anthropology. More than three unexcused absences in a semester will reduce your final grade by one point for each day missed. Collaboration All work should be done in this class individually. Collaboration is NOT allowed in the following situations: During exams. While writing the response papers. (Although you may discuss the themes or merits of the essays with other students, do not share drafts or otherwise collaborate on the writing.) Questions about collaboration should be directed to Dr. Killgrove. LINKS Course Website MyUWF, elearning Schedule an Appointment with Dr. K Kottak s Anthropology Info Center anthropology/kottak_bridge Missed Class? Check with a fellow student for notes on lecture. There is one makeup exam opportunity, during the scheduled final exam period. Any student who foresees attendance problems should see me early in the semester. Deadlines for the response papers are firm. Late papers will be penalized five points per day and will not be accepted more than 10 days after the due date. Academic Dishonesty The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the rules, regulations, and expected behavior of students enrolled at UWF. It is the student s responsibility to read the Student Code of Conduct and comply with these expectations. The Academic Misconduct Policy defines various forms of academic misconduct. These will not be tolerated in this class and will result in action being taken by the instructor. All students need to complete the UWF plagiarism prevention exercise and forward their score to Dr. Killgrove by January 11: Student Disability Resources The Student Disability Resource Center supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your participation, please notify the instructor or the SDRC as soon as possible sdrc@uwf.edu or Appropriate academic accommodations will be determined based on the documented needs of the individual. P A G E 3 At the end of this course, students should be able to: Learning Objectives Demonstrate an understanding of the different subfields of anthropology. Define anthropology s holistic, biocultural approach to understanding humans. Summarize the legacy that biological evolution has left on modern humans. Explain the methods employed by anthropologists in all subfields to collect data and make inferences about humanity. Describe different cultural practices in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Understand the diversity in human biology and culture. Articulate ways that anthropology can offer solutions to current global issues.

4 Biological & Archaeology Cultural & Linguistic P A G E 4 Course Outline Monday Wednesday Friday Week 1 1/7-11 Course Intro Reading: Syllabus Why study anthropology? Reading: Miner Anthropology is Holistic Reading: Ch 1 Week 2 1/14-18 The Evolution Concept Reading: Ch 5 Our Genes Reading: Webster, Prologue Primates Reading: Ch 7 Week 3 1/21-25 No class MLK Day Australopithecines Reading: Ch 8 Homo spp. Reading: Ch 9; Webster 1-2 Week 4 1/28-2/1 Stones & Brains Reading: Ch 10 Evolution of Language Reading: Ch 14, pp EXAM 1 Week 5 2/4-8 Evolution of Culture Reading: Ch 2 Diversity Reading: Ch 6 Race Reading: Ch 15 Week 6 2/11-15 What is our future? Reading: Webster 3 Doing Archaeology Reading: Ch 4 Getting Food Reading: Ch 16 Week 7 2/18-22 Who Eats What Reading: Ch 11 Migration Reading: Ch 12 State Formation & Urbanism Week 8 2/25-3/1 Sedentism & Health Reading: Diamond Review EXAM 2 Paper 1 Due Week 9 3/4-8 What is society? Reading: Ch 17 Ethnographic Method Reading: Ch 13 Theories of People Week 10 No Class: Spring Break Week 11 3/18-22 Ethics in Anthropology Reading: Webster 4-6 Sex & Gender Reading: Ch 18 Reproduction Reading: Ch 20 Week 12 3/25-29 Marriage & Kinship Reading: Ch 19 Clothing & Beauty Reading: Ch 22 EXAM 3 Week 13 4/1-5 Art & Media Reading: Ch 22 Communication Reading: Ch 14 Religion Reading: Ch 21 Week 14 4/8-12 Death & The Afterlife Colonialism Reading: Ch 23 Contemporary Health Reading: Chs 3, 6 Week 15 4/15-19 Globalization Reading: Ch 24 Technology & Culture Change Who or what is modern? Week 16 4/22-26 Ethics Revisited What do anthropologists do? / Review EXAM 4 Paper 2 Due Finals 4/29-5/3 Optional Final (8am) I N T R O D U C T I O N T O A N T H R O P O L O G Y

5 P A G E 5 Top: Henna-painted hands, India. Middle: Ghanaian pottery. Bottom: Catholic ossuary, Austria Some Suggestions for a Successful Semester DO attend class every day. DON T forget to do the assigned reading for the day. DO use the discussion forum on the course s elearning page to share lecture notes and links with classmates. DO check out the online Kottak web resources on a regular basis, or at least before each exam! DON T let your response papers be an afterthought. Read (and reread) the chapters then write thoughtfully! DO come to Dr. Killgrove s office hours if you have questions or concerns about the course, papers, grades, etc. DO think ahead. The best scientists try to predict what will happen based on the information they already have and the new facts they are learning. If you are interested in a major in Anthropology, you should contact the Department of Anthropology at If you are undecided about your major, you should contact your academic advisor or the Career Center at