MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY

Chasin, Barbara H. 2004. Inequality and Violence in the United States: Casualties of Capitalism. Amherst NY: Humanity Books. Second edition.

Harris, Marvin. 1974. Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: the Riddles of Culture. New York: Random House.

King, Martin Luther, Jr. “Loving your enemies” (1957), “Letter from a Birmingham jail” (1963), and “Declaration of independence from the war in Vietnam” (1967). New York: A. J. Muste Memorial Institute.

These readings are available in the college bookstore and should be purchased. A few additional readings are on e-reserve at Sprague Library as noted in the week by week topics list.

Complete the readings before class during the week they are assigned. This will allow class discussions to review, criticize, and go beyond the readings. Grades will be based on a first midterm on February 23 (25 points), a second midterm on April 6 (25 points), a final on May 4 (35 points) and class participation (15 points). You can receive full credit for class participation by perfect attendance. Less than perfect attendance will result in a lower participation score.

Occasional in-class or between classes writing assignments will be given. These assignments count as points toward the midterm or final exams. That is, they count for final course credit and your grade. If you miss class, you are still expected to complete these assignments on time. If it is necessary for you to miss a class, go to the website:

to check whether you have missed a writing assignment for that class. Download the assignment and prepare it for the next class. Failure to do so will result in loss of points towards the final grade.

Come and discuss issues in the course or any materials you do not understand. My office is Dickson Hall 128, ext. 4133, e-mail franker@mail.montclair.edu. You can reach me:

Culture or biology? Anthropological critiques, Erich Fromm’s theory of violence.

READING: Harris, in Cows, Pigs... Pig Lovers and Pig Haters, Primitive War, The Savage Male, Potlatch

READINGS: Harris, in Cows, Pigs...Phantom Cargo, Messiahs, Prince of Peace, Broomsticks, The Great Witch Craze

Hall, Jacquelyn Dowd, “The Mind That Burns in Each Body: Women, Rape, and Racial Violence;” and Martin, Patricia Yancey and Robert A. Hummer, “Fraternities and Rape on Campus”—on e-reserve at Sprague Library

Harris, “Why There's Terror on the Streets,” chapter 7 of America Now. On e-reserve.

Classroom Courtesy–A Strategy for Better Grades

Professor Richard W. Franke

By observing the following rules you will help me—the instructor—to provide a better and more interesting course. You will also help yourself and your fellow students to achieve better concentration and therefore to get better grades. I do not curve, so the more you concentrate, the more you learn, and the better your grade, no matter how other students do. So, please—

1. Be in your seat with your notebook open and your pen or pencil ready when the class starts.

2. Do not start packing your materials until class is actually over.

3. Do not eat or drink during class.

4. Turn off all cell phones and pagers.

5. Do not leave the room during class unless you plan to stay out for the period. Use the toilet and the drinking fountain before or after class.

6. Do not whisper, rattle papers, or otherwise distract your fellow students during class, especially during videos. If you have seen the video previously and are bored, either try to see something new in it, or leave.

7. Do not ask to discuss your grade or other matters at the beginning of class unless you feel your concerns are relevant to the entire class. In that case, please tell me you feel a public discussion is needed. Otherwise, use my office hours or make an appointment to see me privately.

8. Let me know if special circumstances make it hard for you to follow any of these rules.

Students wishing to read my advice about how to study more effectively, and those wishing examples of the kinds of questions typically found on exams for this course, are encouraged to look at: