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: Fall 06
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 Course Materials:
		Haviland W, Prins H, Walrath W and B McBride. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge, 11^th edition. Wadsworth-Thomson Learning, 2005. Spradley J and D McCurdy, eds. Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology, 12^th edition. New York: Pearson, 2006.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
		Week				Topic
		1				Introduction and Study of Culture
		2				Nature of Culture
		3				Language & Communication
		4				Growing up Human and Subsistence
		5				Patterns of Subsistence
		6				Political Systems
		7				Marriage, Family, and Household
		8				Religion, Magic, Witchcraft, and Sorcery
		9				Kinship & Descent
		10				Cultural Groups, Gender, and Poverty
		11				The Arts
		12				Medical Anthropology
		13				Cultural Change
		14				Anthropology & the Future
		15				Final Exam Period
II. Course Objectives*:
		A.			Define anthropology and its four major subfields.  Identify the major research areas within cultural anthropology. II.3; III.7; III.5; III.6
		B.			Define what culture is, how it is studied, and why cultures exist. II.3; III.2; IV.3
		C.			Define what language is, how it is related to culture, and how language began. II.3; III.2
		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. II.3; III.2; III.3
		E.			Define adaptation, how humans adapt, and what sort of adaptations humans have achieved through the ages.   II.3; II.4; III.2; III.3
		F.			Discuss how anthropologists study economic systems in non-industrial cultures and how goods are exchanged.  II.3; III.2
		G.			Define marriage from a cross cultural perspective.  II.3; III.2
		H.			Define descent groups, their function, and evolution.  II.3; III.2
		I.			Describe non-kin organization in societies, including age grading, common-interest associations, and social stratification.   II.3; III.2
		J.			Discuss how political organizations and order are maintained in different societies.  II.3; III.2
		K.			Define the difference between religion and magic, witchcraft, and sorcery. Understand the function of supernatural belief for the society. II.3; III.2
		L.			Define art, its function in society and how anthropologists study art. II.1; II.2; II.3; III.2
		M.			Discuss what anthropology can predict for the future of humanity. II.5; II.3; III.2
		N.			Discuss world poverty, race, ethnomedicine, and gender issues. Understand the anthropological perspective pertaining to each of these. II.4; II.3; II.5; III.1; III.2; III.3; III.4; III.5; III.6
		O.			Discuss the major tenets of anthropology, including cultural relativism and holism; and understand how anthropologists handle ethnocentrism. II.3; II.4; II.5; III.2; III.6
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR’s general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
		1.			Learn an overview of the principles and processes of cultural anthropology, and plant a seed of cultural awareness in themselves that will continue to grow to challenge ethnocentrism long past the end of the semester. Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome; Social/Behavioral Sciences Outcome
		2.			Read assigned case studies and write a response/reaction paper on one of them. Communication Outcome, Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome
		3.			Develop a visual statement based on the reaction paper and present it to the class orally. Active Learning Strategies, Communication Outcome, Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome
		4.			Participate in student-led and instructor-led discussions of class and reading material. Communication Outcome, Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategies
		5.			Research scientific journal articles using library online databases and write a paper on a relevant topic in cultural anthropology using word processing software. Communication Outcome, Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Social/Behavioral Sciences Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome
		6.			Research the internet to find information on current events and social issues. Technological Literacy Outcome
		7.			Read assigned readings and be prepared to participate in class discussion. Communication Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
		8.			Practice professionalism by attending class on a regular basis, being dependable, cooperative, and respectful of course topics while contributing to class discussion and projects. Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		9.			Demonstrate comprehension of course material on 3 in-class exams, in-class and take-home quizzes. Communication Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’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
		21.			Understand the anthropological perspective on race, poverty, and gender. N
		22.			Understand the different medical systems and how they are integrated in societies. N
		23.			Understand the basic tenets of the discipline. O
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Testing Procedures: 400 points
				Exams (3): 100 points each Quizzes (10): 10 points each
		B. Laboratory Expectations:
			N/A
		C. Field Work: 200 points
			Participation: 25 points Reaction paper: 25 points Visual statement and oral presentation: 25 points Research Project: 100 points Attendance: 25 points
		D. Other Evaluation Methods:
			N/A
		E. Grading Scale:
			90-100% (540-600) A 85-89% (510-539) B+ 80-84% (480-509) B 75-79% (450-479) C+ 70-74% (420-449) C 60-69% (360-419) D 59% and below (below 359) 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. Academic Dishonesty:
			Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices: cheating, plagiarism, purchasing prewritten essays and research papers, providing others with answers, etc. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign either (1) an F or zero for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
	C. Accommodations for Disabilities:
			If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in her/his office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751 (Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.

Posted: January 24, 2007