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UTRGV COURSE SYLLABUS
Anthropology 2351.01: Cultural Anthropology
Term: Fall Semester 2016
Class Hours: LHS, 1.312, T-TH 8:00-9:15 am, Brownsville Campus.
Professor: William Yaworsky, Ph.D.
Phone: (956) 882-7846, email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Main 1.428, T-TH 2:00 pm-3:00 pm.
Textbook and/or Resource Material
Balée, William. 2012. Inside Cultures: A New Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. Walnut Creek: Left Coast
Press. ISBN: 978-1-59874-605-1.
Turnbull, Colin. 1961. The Forest People. New York: Touchstone Books. ISBN: 978-0671640996.
Course Description: This class examines societies of the world using the theories and methods derived from the
discipline of anthropology, which is the study of humanity. The course also introduces students to the concepts
and theories emphasized in the overlapping traditions of American cultural anthropology and British social
anthropology.
Learning Objectives/Outcomes for the Course: The primary learning objective of the course is to familiarize
students with the major forms of social organization via detailed examinations of bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and
states. A second objective is to illustrate both the universals and particulars of human social organization through
the cross-cultural examination of institutions such as marriage, kinship, and religion. ANTH 2351 also meets
Anthropology Program goals as it teaches you to use the tools of anthropology to think and write critically about
topics dealing with humankind, enables you to develop a solid base of anthropological knowledge in the area of
cultural anthropology, gives you a holistic understanding of individuals and cultures that reflects the
multidimensionality of human experience, shows you how to apply appropriate research methodologies to
understand cultural phenomena, and demonstrates how to apply anthropological concepts and knowledge.
Learning Objectives for Core Curriculum Requirements: ANTH 2351 also meets standards of The Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board for core courses within the Social and Behavioral Sciences Foundational
Component Area by addressing four key core objectives concerned with (1) Critical Thinking Skills, (2)
Communication Skills, (3) Empirical and Quantitative Skills, and (4) Social Responsibility. Students explore central
themes of cultural anthropology such as economics, art, marriage, political organization, religion, and ethnicity;
and they are exposed to diverse cultural practices within societies worldwide. Students develop critical thinking
skills as they are encouraged to compare and contrast these new data, all the while incorporating what they know
about their own culture; and they do this by using appropriate methodological and theoretical analyses they have
learned. Students develop verbal communication skills as they articulate their ideas as part of directed in-class
discussions of “hot” topics such as “race/ethnicity” or “What makes an ideal marriage partner?” Students also
learn to express their ideas clearly through written work, both written assignments and short-essay examination
questions that require them to synthesize diverse forms of information. Students also learn how to properly cite
their sources using the citation guidelines of the American Anthropological Association. Major cultural patterns
described by anthropologists are derived from empirical studies that yielded statistically significant results. In
accord with this, students are expected to master the basic empirical and quantitative skills necessary to assess
and present data in varied formats. Students are also taught the basic standards of participant-observation field
work. Finally, a major theme in cultural anthropology concerns how to function as a citizen of a multicultural
world. Students are exposed to cultures both like and unlike their own and they are constantly comparing and
contrasting ideas, behaviors, and belief systems. As a result, they develop social responsibility and come to better
understand themselves, their own culture, and the place of both within our interconnected world. They also
learn to identify and describe contemporary standards of human subjects research and informed consent.
Grading Policies: There will be three exams, each worth 100 points. A paper worth 100 points is also due and will
be presented in class. Class participation is also counted and worth 100 points so regular attendance is important.
At the end of the semester the student’s scores will be added up and averaged. Students will be graded based on
the following scale: A =90% or above; B = 80%-89%; C= 70%-79%; D=60%-69%; F= 0%-59% (with further +/subdivisions). Students should familiarize themselves with the UTRGV policies regarding academic integrity. Any
students with a disability that may hamper classroom performance please see me immediately so we may discuss
possible accommodations. Also note that this syllabus is subject to change and changes will be announced in
class. Should a student miss class it is their responsibility to find out if changes in the course syllabus have
occurred.
Calendar of Activities:
August 30: Introduction to Anthropology.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 1, The Study of Us.
September 1: Film: Off the Verandah.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 2, Sociocultural Universals.
September 6: Fieldwork in Chilapa.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 4, Where Anthropology Comes From,
September 8: Film: Los Herederos.
September 13: The Enlightenment and the Origins of Anthropology.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 5, Contemporary Theory and Method.
September 15: Economic Organization and Culture.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 3, Cultural Variation.
September 20: Film: Economic Anthropology.
September 22: Kinship, Bands, and Tribes.
Readings: Balée Chapter 6, Social Organization.
September 27: Film: The Hunters.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 8, Ecology, Landscape, and Culture.
September 29: 1st Exam.
October 4: Chiefdoms, and States.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 7, Politics and Power in Society.
October 6: Film: Dead Birds.
Readings: Balée Chapter 9, Colonialism and the World System.
October 11: Warfare.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 10, Culture Change.
October 13: Film: We are all Neighbors.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 11 Applications for Cultural Anthropology.
October 18: Magic and Religion.
Readings: Balée, Chapter 12.
October 20: Film: Azande Witchcraft.
October 25: Language.
October 27: 2nd Exam.
November 1: Student presentations.
November 3: Student presentations.
November 8: Student presentations.
November 10: Student presentations.
November 15: Student presentations.
November 17: Student presentations.
November 22: Student presentations.
November 24: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
November 29: Student presentations.
December 1: Student presentations.
FINAL EXAM: Readings: Turnbull, The Forest People. Check UTRGV website for date and time.
OTHER COURSE INFORMATION: Email communication between students and myself should be conducted
through the students’ official University supplied email account.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or
other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic
accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an
appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student
Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time.
Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted
by phone at (956) 882-7374 (voice) or via email at [email protected]. Edinburg Campus: Student
Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005
(Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at [email protected].
MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of
this course, accessible through your UTRGV account (http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted through
email with further instructions. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their
grades. Online evaluations will be available:
Oct 5-Oct 12 for Module 1 courses
Dec 1-Dec 7 for Module 2 courses
Nov 18-Dec 8 for full fall semester courses
SCOLASTIC INTEGRITY: Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties,
including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University.
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION< and VIOLENCE: In accordance with UT System regulations, your
instructor is a “responsible employee” for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report
any instance, occurring during a student’s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence,
domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through
writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity,
including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to
provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual
respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination.
COURSE DROPS: Check UTRGV website for last day to drop a course without penalty. Check UTRGV website
for last day to receive a grade of DR (drop).