Download ANTH 101 Syllabus - Spring 2015 - HIGHET - Catalogue

ANTHR 101: Introduction to Anthropology
University of Alberta
LEC A1 – Spring 2015
MTWRF 9:00-10:10AM, CAB 281
Instructor: Dr. Megan J. Highet
Office: TBA
Office Hours: MTWRF, 8:30-9:00AM
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description: A general introduction to anthropology through the study of central
concepts and key issues, including culture, human cultural development, biological evolution,
social organization, cultural theory, symbolic systems and culture change.
Course Prerequisite: None.
Course Objectives:
1. To familiarize students with the primary concepts and central tenets of anthropology.
2. To foster an appreciation of human biological and cultural diversity.
3. To explore the relevance of anthropological perspectives within academia and beyond.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course students will have enriched their understanding of
both the field of anthropology in general, and the human condition in particular. Students will
also have had the opportunity to both practice anthropology and to apply theory and knowledge
gained from this course to critically consider complex human issues and problems.
Required Reading:
Lavenda, R.H. & Schultz, E.M. (2012). Anthropology: What Does it Mean to Be Human? (2nd
Edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Course Requirements:
Midterm #1 Examination
Midterm #2 Examination
Final Examination
(course weight = 30%)
(course weight = 30%)
(course weight = 40%)
Date: May 15
Date: May 29
Date: June 11 11:30am-2:30pm
Midterms Examinations: Two multiple-choice midterm examinations are scheduled during regular
class time for this course. These exams are non-cumulative and will cover lecture materials, assigned
readings and films shown during class time. Further details regarding the midterm examinations will
be discussed in class.
Final Examination: The final examination for this course will be multiple-choice format. This
exam is cumulative and will cover lecture materials, assigned readings and films shown during
class time throughout the semester. Further details regarding the final examination will be
discussed in class .
* Sample exam questions will be available to students on the course website in advance of the first
midterm examination.
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Lecture Schedule:
Date
Topic
Assigned Reading
May 4
Course Introduction and What is Anthropology?
May 5
Is There Evolutionary Evidence for the Concept of ‘Race’?
May 6
May 8
Is There Evolutionary Evidence for the Concept of ‘Race’? and
Film: The Human Family Tree
Film: The Human Family Tree
and Is ‘Race’ a Biological Reality or a Social Construction?
Film: Race-The Power of an Illusion
May 11
How Are Humans Related to Other Living Primates?
Chapter 4
May 12
What Does the Fossil Record Reveal About Human Ancestry?
Chapter 5
May 13
What Does the Fossil Record Reveal About Human Ancestry?
Chapter 5
May 14
Film: The Mind’s Big Bang
May 7
May 15
Chapter 1
Chapters 2 &3
Chapters 2 & 3
Chapters 2 & 3
MIDTERM 1
May 19
What is Culture and Is it Unique to Humans?
May 20
Film: A Conversation with Koko
May 21
Film: Guns, Germs, Steel
May 22
Are We Really Better Off Now That We Are ‘Civilized’?
Chapter 7
May 25
Chapters 11, 12, 14
May 26
What are the Consequences of How Societies Distribute
Resources?
Film: The Third Sex
May 27
What Do You Mean Gender is Not Biologically Determined?
May 28
Film: TBA
May 29
Chapter 8
Chapter 13
MIDTERM 2
June 1
How Do We Decide Who We Are Related To?
Chapter 13
June 2
Why Do People Have Such Different Beliefs?
Chapter 10
June 3
Film: Witchcraft Among the Azande
June 4
How Do Anthropologists Know What They Know and Do They
Have an Ethical Obligation to Those They Study?
Film: TBA
June 5
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Chapter 6
June 8
How is Language a Cultural Phenomenon?
June 9
Film: Pidgin-The Voice of Hawaii
June 10
Chapter 9
REVIEW
Student Responsibilities:
Registration Status and Withdrawing from the Couse: Students are responsible for ensuring the
accuracy of their registration in courses. Students who stop attending class must officially withdraw
from the course. This must be done by the official withdrawal deadline for the course. Failure to
withdraw properly will result in a grade being assigned that is based on completed course work.
Missed Classes: Although participation is not graded, regular class attendance is essential for success in
this course. Students are expected to be up-to-date on assigned readings as lectures are intended to
complement rather than reiterate material covered in the textbook. Please be aware that films are
generally not available for viewing outside of the class in which they are shown.
General Classroom Etiquette: Cell phones and all other electronics except laptops are to be
silenced and put away during class time. Students should be respectful of their peers by keeping in
mind that whispering is clearly audible due to the acoustics of the classroom. Students engaging in
disruptive behaviors will be asked to leave the room. In order to achieve an atmosphere in which
everyone feels free to contribute openly to classroom discussions, students are reminded that
disrespectful behavior shown towards their peers will not be tolerated to any extent.
Academic Dishonesty:
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to
uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize
themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in suspicions of
cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic
dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
Exams:
Student photo identification (OneCard) is required at the time of midterm and final exams.
Failure to produce proper identification may result in disqualification for examination and a
grade of zero for that portion of the course requirements.
Examinations: At the discretion of the instructor, students may not be permitted to begin an exam
after it has been in progress for 15 minutes. Students must remain in the exam room for at least 20
minutes from the time that the exam has commenced. Consumption of food is not permitted during
exams. Electronic equipment is not to be brought to exams, and hats may not be worn during this
time.
Missed Midterm Exams: When a student misses an exam, the instructor should be notified of the
reason within 48 hours. Unexcused absences from midterm exam(s) will result in a grade of zero
for that portion of the course requirements. When a student seeks an excused absence because of
illness, a completed Medical Declaration is required (available on the Faculty of Arts website).
If a request for an excused absence is approved, then the course weight of the missed exam will be
transferred evenly to the remaining exam(s). Personal vacations are not an acceptable reason for
msising a midterm examination. No make-up midterm exams will be given.
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Deferred Final Exams: Application for a deferred exam must be made within 48 hours of the final
exam. The decision to approve a request for a deferred final exam lies beyond the control of the
instructor. Personal vacations are not an acceptable reason for msising a final examination. If you
know beforehand that you will be unable to attend the final exam at the scheduled time, the
instructor must be informed prior to the final exam.
Grading Criteria:
Final grades will be determined for each student by the combined absolute scores of two midterms
and a final examination (see above for weighting criteria). The cut-off points between letter grades
will be determined on a reasoned rather than an arbitrary basis. Approximate final letter grades
based on raw percentage scores are outlined below. This approximation is intended to give
students a general idea of their standing in the course only.
Please note that there is no option for ‘bonus’ or ‘make-up’ assignments available to students
in this course.
Letter Grade
Approximate Final Mark (%)
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
96-100
90-95
85-89
80-84
74-79
70-73
66-69
63-65
60-62
56-59
50-55
0-49
Students requiring accommodation due to disability or special needs are encouraged to bring their
situation to the attention of the instruction as well as to contact Specialized Support and Disability
Services (SSDS), 2-800 SUB, ph. 780-492-3381, TTY 780-492-7269, as early in the course as
possible.
Policy about course outlines can be found in ' 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.. (GFC 29 SEP
2003)
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and
honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty
and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to
familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result
in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an
offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from
the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
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