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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. 1 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 2 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. 3 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) 4