(Anthropology 161)

Fall 2006

Instructor: Daniel Strouthes.

Required Books: Pospisil, Sociocultural Anthropology; Langness, Other Fields, Other Grasshoppers. The Pospisil book is to be purchased from the campus bookstore; the Langness book is to be borrowed from me with a $10 deposit, or may be purchased used and inexpensively from amazon.com; alibris.com; abebooks.com [these are also good sources for any used books, including course textbooks]).

Part 1: Introduction.

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 1.

Langness, Chapters 3, 13.

Part 2: Culture and Society.

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 2.

Langness, Chapters 7, 14, 16.

Part 3: Language and Culture.

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 3.

First Examination October 18.

Part 4: Economy and Technology

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 4.

Langness, Chapters 6, 15.

Part 5: Social Structure

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 5.

Langness, Chapters 2, 10, 12.

Part 6: Societal Structure.

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 6.

Langness, Chapters 9, 11.

Second Examination November 20.

Part 7: Politics and Law.

Required Reading: Pospisil, Chapter 7 and 8

Langness Chapter 5.

Part 8: Religion and Culture Change.

Required Reading: Pospisil: Chapter 9.

Langness Chapters 1, 9.

Final examination is by schedule at http://www.uwec.edu/registrar/student/exams/index.htm

The Langness readings will be discussed in class. There will also be presented during the course of the semester several videos, which will be followed by discussion periods.

Course Objective: This course will provide students with a basic understanding of the major components of human culture.

Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of three examinations. The examination scores will constitute 100% of the grade, and each will carry an equal weighting to all other exams. There will be two exams during the semester, and a final exam. The two exams during the semester will be made up of multiple choice questions, true-false questions, and two essay questions. The final exam will be made up of multiple choice questions and a number of essay questions to be determined later. Each of the two exams given during regular class times will cover material presented since the previous exam (the first one obviously will cover material presented since the class began). The final will cover the material presented during the entire semester. There will be no trick questions.

The material covered in the exams will come from both class lecture material, and assigned readings. You may expect questions that cover material presented ONLY in the readings, and not in class.

Class participation is highly encouraged. Students who participate regularly usually learn more than those who do not.

Class attendance is required. Official university policy is that all students are expected to attend all classes. I will take attendance each class period, but there is no penalty for missing class. However, students with poor attendance records almost always have tremendous difficulties with course examinations, and many such students have failed the course in the past. Make-up exams will only be scheduled for students who present a written confirmation of significant illness or injury from the University Health Service or private physician. Finally, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain class material missed from a competent classmate.

Grades will be computed on a point basis, using the following scale:

90: A

88: A-

85: B+

80: B

78: B-

75: C+

70: C

68: C-

65: D+

60: D

58: D-

Below 58: F

Since this is an introductory course, I will focus on concepts and their definitions. These are the concepts which are basic to the discipline of social and cultural anthropology. Where you see concepts defined in your reading, or when you hear them presented in class, take special note of them. Sometimes, there is a discrepancy between the definitions which I give in class, and those given in the textbook. In such cases, I will expect you to know the definition I give you, hence the importance of attending class.

A secondary focus will consist of peoples and places around the world. It is necessary to know some of these peoples and places in order to have an accurate understanding of the full range of human cultures and societies. You will be expected to know some of the peoples and places presented in the lectures and in the readings.

Any student who has a professionally certified disability and needs classroom accommodation please contact me AND the Office of Students with Disabilities (S 201, 836-4542) during the first week of classes.

Classroom behavior: private conversation between students unrelated to the class material is prohibited during the class period. Cell phones will be turned off prior to coming to class. No food is to be consumed during class, although drinking of permitted beverages is allowed. All beverage containers must be opened prior to the start of the lecture. Please be prepared to begin class on time: be in your seats ready to start at the top of the hour.

Finally, I do not discuss grades or exam scores through the use of email. You must see me in person for information of this nature.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baccalaureate degrees have eleven (11) goals. General Education courses (such as this one) are designed to meet some (but not all) of these goals. Each student is also supposed to keep a portfolio of class assignments, projects, and other materials that demonstrate how they have met these goals through your courses (http://www.uwec.edu/AcadAff/policies/assessment/FAQ-students.htm). The goals are listed in the table below along with references to particular assignments that you could save to demonstrate work toward that particular goal.