Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 206)

                                              Dr. Julie J. Smith

                                    E-mail: jsmith@bcc.ctc.edu

        This course provides an introduction to cultural anthropology, one of the four sub-fields of the American anthropological discipline. The goal in this class is to learn about the scopes and aims of cultural anthropology. In an increasingly globalized world, in which people migrate and cultures meet on a daily basis, it is vital to develop an understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

       The course materials will cover the study of core cultural anthropological concepts, key terms, fieldwork methods/techniques, and ethnographical studies. The materials in the course will give students an understanding of cultural anthropology and its many possibilities for research and study.

NOTE: The following is very general information about this course and should not be taken as a comprehensive description of what the course entails.

       Your final grade will be based on: 8 quizzes, Midterm, class discussions, and a Final exam plus your class participation. The two exams will be multiple-choice and essay tests which will be posted each week and at the end of the course. The quizzes are taken weekly, as are the discussions. Participation through the discussions tool is central for a good grade in this class.

       The quizzes are worth 32% of your final grade, the discussions 18% (but they are important for the quizzes, Midterm, and Final) 20% for the Midterm Exam and 30% for the Final. Students will also have the choice of a final research proposal instead of the exam. A=96-100%, A- =95-9-%, B+= 89-87%, B=83=86%, B-=80-82%, C+=75-79%, C=74-70%, etc.

Text books required for the course

Kottak, Conrad. 2007. Mirror for Humanity. A Concise Introduction to Cultural

Anthropology. 5th edition. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Spindler, George & Janice Stockard. 2007. Globalization in Fifteen Cultures.

Born in One World, Living in Another. U.S.: Thomson Wadsworth

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the terms and concepts of cultural anthropology

• Define cultural relativity and ethnocentrism

• Evaluate globalization and its impact on cultures

• Describe the research methods of cultural anthropologists

• Develop critical thinking skills in the reading of texts and ethnographies