email: koths@tenhoor.as.ua.edu

This course is required for minors and majors in Anthropology, but open to students from all divisions. There are no prerequisites. It is advisable for Anthropology students to take this course within the first year or two of study, as it provides a basis for understanding of material offered in higher level courses. ANT 102 also fulfills the Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum Requirement for a social science (SS or SB). It is a social science because it deals systematically with the behaviors and practices of living peoples.

This course will provide a worldwide overview of culture groups, with an emphasis on the contrasts between Western and non-Western peoples. By means of the assigned textbook, ethnographies, films, and lectures, the course aims to explore the diversity of practices people have developed to tackle the universal problems of human living. Specific objectives include:

1. Enhanced understanding and tolerance of difference in other peoples.

2. Improvement of reading rate and comprehension.

3. Sharpening of comparative and analytic skills.

There will be two midterm exams and a final exam, all consisting of short answer, fill-in, and matching. The final will also include short essay questions. Homework assignments may be added upon a one-week notice. Attendance at all classes, guest lectures, and films is mandatory as the material presented complements the assigned readings and will appear on examinations.

There will be NO MAKEUP EXAMS given for midterms regardless of the circumstances. Two midterm exams, a kinship exercise, and a final exam are the assignments required to pass the course. If one misses a midterm, the student must prepare a 10-page paper in place of a make-up exam. If one misses both midterms, a 10-page and a 15-page research paper must be substituted. A relevant topic will be selected by the student in consultation with the instructor. A make-up for the final exam will be allowed if, and ONLY IF, the student has an official written excuse, that is, one from a doctor, minister, coach, or other authority, AND, has notified the instructor at least two hours prior to the scheduled exam time. The Kinship Chart assignment (see below) will count for 10% of the grade. The midterms account for 25% each and the final 40% of the grade, respectively. The percentages of the exams will decrease proportionally if additional assignments are given, each of which may count for up to 5% of the grade. GRADES WILL NOT BE POSTED IN THE DEPARTMENT. Grades can be accessed by dialing tollfree anytime: 1-888-UA-GRADE (1-888-824-7233). Enter student ID and pin # as instructed.

Attendance is required at all scheduled classes, guest lectures and films. Maintaining good attendance is the individual responsibility of each student. Failure to do this will only be to the student's disadvantage, as the bulk of the exam questions will be drawn from materials presented in class, including films.

1. Ember and Ember 1999 Cultural Anthropology, 9th ed. (includes CD Rom)

2. Chagnon 1983 The Yanomamo, 3rd ed.

3. Devita 1993 Distant Mirrors, America as a Foreign Culture

1. Lee, Eating Christmas in the Kalahari
2. Lappe & Collins, Why Can't People Feed Themselves?
3. Marks, Jonathon, Black, White, Other
4. Nanda, Arranging a Marriage in India
5. Harris, Life Without Chiefs
6. Young, Easter Island: A Scary Parable

Required TEXTS may be purchased at any of these three locations: Alabama Bookstore, Supply Store, or The College Store Assigned ARTICLES will be available on 2-hour reserve at Gorgas Library, at the reserve desk on the second floor.

An on-line study guide to the Ember and Ember textbook can be found at: http://www.prenhall.com/ember. Click on the "cultural anthropology" (not "anthropology") icon.

TOPICS READINGS

WEEK 1: Introduction Chap. 1

Jan 11

WEEK 2: Core Concepts of Anthropology Chap. 2, 3

Jan 16, 18

WEEK 3: Communication and Language Chap. 4

Jan 23, 25 Lee article

WEEK 4: Food and Foodways Chap. 5

Jan 30, Feb 1 Lappe & Collins article

WEEK 5: Economic Systems Chap. 6

Feb 6, 8 Chagnon, Intro to Ch.2

WEEK 6: Social Structures Chaps. 7, 11

Feb 13 Chagnon, Ch.3 to 5

MIDTERM: Thurs Feb 15 (subject to change)

WEEK 7: Case Study: The Yanomamo Chagnon, finish Feb 20, 22

WEEK 8: Gender, Ethnicity and Culture Chap. 8

Feb 27, Mar 1 Marks article

WEEK 9: Marriage and the Family Chap. 9

Mar 6, 8 Nanda article

WEEK 10: Kinship Chap. 10

Mar 13, 15

WEEK 11: Religion and Magic Chap. 14

Mar 20

MIDTERM: Thurs Mar 22 (subject to change)

WEEK 12: Psychology and Culture Chap. 13 Apr 3, 5

WEEK 13: Political Organization Chaps. 12

Apr 10, 12 Harris article

WEEK 14: The Arts, Culture Contact, & Change Chap. 15, 16

Apr 17, 19 Devita, Chaps. Intro-4

WEEK 15: Apr 24: Easter Island: Is this our future? Young article

Apr 26: Applied Anthropology Chap. 17

Devita, Chaps. 5-9

WEEK 16: America as a Foreign Culture Distant Mirrors

May 1, 3 Devita, Chaps. 10-end

Date Assigned: _________ Date Due: _________ (to be announced)

1. CHART: You are expected to diagram the kindred of your bilateral kin group including, but not limited to, three generations (including at least your siblings, parents, grandparents, first cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, and your own or your siblings’ children, if any). This exercise is designed to use the kinship symbols and concepts you have learned so far in class. Use only one sheet of plain (not lined) paper, either 8 ½ by 11 or 8 ½ by 14 in size. The persons in the chart should be symbolized by a number. Construct a key at the bottom of the page that links the numbers in the chart to the individual’s name and dates of birth (and death, if relevant). All names must be typed. If the names do not fit neatly on the page, you may use an additional page for the key.

2. GRADING: Charts will be evaluated on completeness and accuracy of information, as well as on neatness. Any symbol used should be consistent in size throughout the chart. The size chosen should be no smaller than ¼" and no larger than 3/8". It is always best to have someone proofread your assignment before you hand it in.

3. DUE DATE: The chart will be due in class two weeks after assigned. This counts as 10% of your grade

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