Who Should Take Introduction to Cultural Anthropology?

Students in all disciplines will benefit from this course. It will provide tools applicable in all fields and relevant to informed decision making and critically evaluating information from all sources.

Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind. It, like many disciplines, emerged in the second half of the 19th C, as modern science. Unusually in North America, four academic fields organized together in universities: physical anthropology; archaeology; cultural anthropology; and anthropological linguistics.

This course is primarily about cultural anthropology--the study of the cultures of living peoples; that is their behaviors, beliefs, and material technology. Initially focused on non-Western societies, especially pre-state societies, cultural anthropology today informs contemporary U.S. society. Anthropologists are found and practicing their discipline in universities, government, non-governmental agencies, public and private settings, Native American corporations and major for-profit businesses.

By training, I am an archaeologist rather than a cultural anthropologist, meaning that I deal with the remains left by cultures--their material goods, the patterns reflected in those remains, even their written documents. However, the concept of culture and the problem solving methods I employ, even the components of culture that I study, are largely the same as for a cultural anthropologist. The nature of what I recover, mainly technology but also human remains, also have pattern, and I use the patterns to reconstruct other aspects of culture--including kinship systems, believe it or not!

What are the Course Goals?

In addition to understanding what Anthropology is about, you will gain a different perspective on your own and other's culture and be able to

Identify what is universal in human cultures and what is particular or idiosyncratic.

Recognize that human cultures are complex systems that consist of components that are over-lapping and mutually self-reinforcing (e.g., supernatural belief system, artistic expression and social organization).

Have an appreciation of the extent to which all human populations have contributed to human culture generally and to US/Western societies in particular.

What Skills and Knowledge will You Gain from Introduction to Cultural Anthropology?

You will gain Anthropological tools that permit you to

Compare and contrast human societies within the larger arena of human behavioral diversity.

Understand and describe the variety of viable solutions to common problems that people in different times, places, and ecological settings have found.

Analyze the extent to which population migration, diffusion of ideas, behaviors and technologies, and independent innovations may be sources for cultural change, and ways in which the several components of cultural systems may foster or impede change.

Critically evaluate the context of information about other cultures and peoples.

Make for informed decisions as an employed person and concerned citizen that may have ramifications beyond the local context.

How is Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Organized?

There are 10 weeks of class, each with assigned reading, homework using Web resources, and weekly quizzes.

We will begin with an overview of Anthropology as a discipline, a bit about its history, and about the concept of Culture that provides the framework for Cultural Anthropological research.

From there, we will move to an examination of the components of culture that Anthropologists typically understand as universal to all societies--language as the main system of communication; means for getting food and economic systems; marriage and the family; rules about kinship and descent; political organization and social control systems; social stratification; supernatural beliefs; and art.

Finally, we will return to the Anthropological concept of Culture and Culture Change--areas that are relevant to virtually all national and international issues today.

The final examination will be a short written essay that deals with the general principals we have studied.

How will You be Evaluated?

The 10 quizzes, due each Friday, consist of objective questions and occasional short definitions based upon readings and class materials. Quizzes and the final comprise 40% of the final grade.

The 10 homework assignments, due each Monday, constitute the writing aspect of the class and reflect your understanding of the concepts and principles introduced in the readings. Homework assignments comprise 60% of the final grade.

Class attendance is not neutral--you are expected to attend. Failure to attend will detract from your final grade.

Class participation (cogent comments) will bolster your final grade; for everyone, posting comments and reactions to readings is encouraged and also will bolster your final grade. (Sorry to be a bit vague about this but 10% can make a significant difference).