CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
(ANTH 100)
Prof. Ziona Zelazo
( zelazoz@mail.montclair.edu  )

Fall 1999, Section 2  - CO 117
Office:  Dickson Hall 437
Office Hours:  W 10-11 (or by appointment)
Phone:  (973) 655-7931 or 655-4119
Weather Hotline:  (973) 655-7810

RESOURCES

1. A desire to learn.  Don't leave home without it!
   
2. A textbook:  Peoples and Bailey, Humanity, an introduction to cultural anthropology, An International Thompson Publishing Company, Fifth edition.
   
3. We will see numerous videos to complement class reading and lectures.
   
4. The World War Web:  articles which deal with relevant topics during the course published on the internet.
   

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. What kinds of wisdom do other ways of life offer our own?  How do other perspectives on the world challenge our assumptions about life, what is "moral" and what is "normal"?  These questions (and more) are addressed through the five fields of anthropology:  biological, cultural, linguistic, archaeology, and applied anthropology.
   
2. In this survey course you will be introduced to all aspects of human society and human behavior from a cultural perspective.  Whatever your background and future career plans, cultural anthropology will increase your understanding of how your own and other societies operate, interact, and change to meet new circumstances (what makes human societies tick). 
   
3. You will be introduced to anthropological concepts, terminology, theoretical orientations and research methods used by anthropologists.
   
4. The course will consider the role of the anthropologist in the contemporary world.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

1. Lectures do not repeat material in the texts.  Instead, they provide new information that supplements the texts.  Students will be responsible for material covered in lectures, films and the text.  If you have any difficulties taking class notes, see me right away.  You will be tested on every detail I mention in class.
   
2. Class attendance is central to a successful completion of this course.   You must arrive on time and stay for the full class period.  Missing more than 5 classes without a valid excuse (such as a doctor's note) will result in a final grade one grade lower than your actual grade (e.g., if you have an A, you will receive a B for the course).

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS:

1.  *Internet exercises:  5 points each (five in all)  = 25% of final grade

2.  @Exams  - 25 points each (three in all) = 75% of final grade

3.  ^Class participation  = my discretion

* See pages 4, 5, and 6 of class handout for instructions.

@You will be tested on your reading, your knowledge of information conveyed in lectures and films.  Your familiarity with the technical vocabulary of anthropology as it is used in the lectures and text material will be more important.   Most questions are based on a term or concept and asks you to correctly identify it or apply it to an example.  If you have kept up with reading, the lectures and films, you will probably do well.

^Class participation will upgrade your averaged score of the class.   However, if you are the shy one who prefers to remain silent, be sure that your grade will not be affected.

I do now allow rewrites or extra credit work to improve a grade, but I welcome you to consult in advance for guidance and feedback.

Please note:

1. You must make an appointment with me if you get below a C on your first exam.
2. Use the email.  I answer my email within one day.  Don't be afraid to nudge...

SYLLABUS

ABOUT THE INTERNET EXERCISES:

Navigation begins when you log in to http://anthropology.wadsworth.com .  Click on "text resources" and then click on "Humanity."   Choose the relevant chapter and at the click of GO, you will see the material you were looking for.  Hypercontents is the same as internet projects.  Flashcards and quizzes are for you to use as practice before a test or clarity any questions you may have.  For the assignments GO to "hypercontents" and see a list of articles related to the particular chapter.  Examine some of these articles and choose ONE to write your discussion about.  You will have to submit 5 written assignments, each due on the date designated (Wednesdays) on the syllabus above.

GUIDELINES FOR THE WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Be aware of and understand the main ideas and concepts pertaining to the article you chose.  Read it over at least 2-3 times.
2. Record the important facts that the author uses to support the main idea.
3. Summarize the argument and the content of the article.
4. Note:  were any of those ideas discussed in class or found in your textbook?   List the pages.
5. Any examples of bias or faulty reasoning that you found?
6. Use the proper anthropological terms.  You have not done the assignment if you do not EXPLICITLY employ anthropological terms.
7. Be sure to stick to the article's content and events.  Don't invent facts.   Don't bring in information that is not in the article.  Don't stretch to related-but-separated issues that you are reminded of (e.g., in an article about distributing condoms to prevent AIDS, it is stretching too far to say that since condoms are used for birth control, the article deals with issues of overpopulation!).
8. Minimize your value judgments (e.g., that the situation is good or bad), and avoid policy statements (e.g., that this or that should or ought to be done).  This exercise calls for description and explanation, not approval or disapproval.
9. Submit your discussion (2-3 pages), typewritten, double-spaced, along with a copy of the article on which it is based.  Staple the pages.  I can not evaluate your discussion without this article.

Forget about excuses for not being able to hand in the assignment on time.  They will not be considered by me!!

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