PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS
CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
ANT 1300
Class Hours: 3.0   Credit Hours: 3.0  
Laboratory Hours: 0.0   Date Revised: Spring 01  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
  An introduction to the field of cultural anthropology focusing on the description, and analysis of geographically diverse social groups and their learned traditions.  Culture consists of the abstract values, beliefs and impressions of the world that lie behind the behavior and upon which the attitudes and ideals of a society.
Entry Level Standards:    
  Students must be able to read and write at a college level.
Prerequisites:    
  None
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:  
  Cultural Anthropology, William Haviland, 9th edition, 1999.
Relevant course readings will be placed at the library for review material not covered in the text. Students will be responsible for reviewing the appropriate materials for each lecture. 
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 Study of culture
  2 Nature of culture
  3 Language & communication
  4 Growing up human
  5 Patterns of subsistence
  6 Economic systems
  7 Sex & marriage
  8 Family & household
  9 Kinship & descent
  10 Cultural groups
  11 Political organization
  12 Religion & the supernatural
  13 The arts
  14 Cultural change
  15 Anthropology & the future
  16 Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Define anthropology and its four major subfields.  Identify the major research areas within cultural anthropology.  I.5
  B. Define what is culture, how culture is studied, and why cultures exist.  IV
  C. Define what is language, how language is related to culture, and how language began.  IV
  D. Learn the process of enculturation, its effect on the adult personality, how personalities differ in different cultures, and what is considered normal versus abnormal.  IV
  E. Define adaptation, how humans adapt, and what sort of adaptations humans have achieved through the ages.   IV
  F. Discuss how anthropologists study economic systems in non-industrial cultures and how goods are exchanged.   IV
  G. Define marriage from a cross cultural perspective.   IV
  H. Define descent groups, their function, and evolution.   IV
  I. Describe non-kin organization in societies, including age grading, common-interest associations, and social stratification.   IV
  J. Discuss how political organizations and order are maintained in different societies.  IV
  K.
 

L.

M.

Define the difference between religion and magic.  Understand the function of supernatural belief for the society.   IV

Define art, its function in society and how anthropologists study art.  IV

Discuss what anthropology can predict for the future of humanity.    IV, III.2

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Research and write a report on some relevant topic within the study of subcultures or common-interest associations. Communication Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome
  2. Learn an overview of the principles and processes of cultural anthropology, and to plant a seed of cultural awareness in themselves that will continue to grow to challenge ethnocentrism long past the end of the semester. Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy
  3. Analyze a case study in order to see how a applied anthropologist works as an advocate for a given culture. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
  4. Illustrate comprehension of class material on 3 in-class exams and 1 take home exam. These will include an essay component that requires students to present a logical argument supporting a particular viewpoint or explaining a scientific concept. Communication Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
 

2.

Understand the different subdisciplines of anthropology and how culture is defined. A

Define the different subdisciplines of anthropology and how culture is defined. A

3. Learn how cultures are studied and compared. B
4. Within a cultural context, understand the importance of language and communication. C
5.

6.

Understand the process of enculturation. D

Understand the development of adult personality. D

7. Understand the wide variety of methods people adapt to a variety of environments. E
8. Discuss the basic forms of economic and exchange systems of nonidustrial societies.F
9. From a cross cultural perspective, discuss the concept of marriage . G
10. Understand the difference between family and household and the various methods of how they are organized.  G
11.

12.

Define a descent group. H

Define a descent group's functions in a society and how it relates to family organization. H

13. Learn how humans form groups in areas unrelated to kinship ties. I
14.

15.

Understand how order is maintained in societies. J

Understand/ describe political organization. J

16. Discuss the differences between religion and magic and how they are integrated in societies. K
17.

18.

Define art anthropologically and its function in a society. L

Describe art's function in a society. L

19. Discuss why cultures change. M
20. Cite some present day trends of cultural evolution. M
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
A. Testing Procedures: 400 points
Exams (4): 100 points each
B. Laboratory Expectations:
N/A
C. Field Work: 340 points
Homework assignments: 100 points: Weekly assignments: collect 10 of 15
Group problem: 50 points: 2-4 pages maximum
Research paper: 100 points: 5-10 pages maximum
Oral presentation: 50 points: Present research paper
Take home exercise: 40 points: Applied anthropology
D. Other Evaluation Methods:
N/A
E. Grading Scale:
90-100 %        (662-740)        A
80-89 %          (588-661)        B
70-79 %          (514-587)        C
60-69 %          (440-513)        D
59 % - below (512 - below)  F
VI. Policies:
A. Attendance Policy:
 Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. 
B. Other Policies:
1. All PSTCC policies regarding tardiness, absenteeism, and academic dishonesty will be strictly followed and applied. 
 2. An atmosphere of professionalism will be maintained during all discussion of human similarities and differences; inflammatory or inappropriate language will not be tolerated.