ANTHROPOLOGY 111

Anthropology of a Changing World
Instructor: Gerry Waite

                                                                                                            " It's a long way to the finish
                                                                                                             You need to pace yourself".
                                                                                                           (click on the graphic to sing-a-long)
 
 


Course Rationale:    Anthropology 111 is a university Core Cirriculum, International/Global Studies course that is taught solely as Core Cirriculum and is not part of the anthropology major. The course is intended to introduce students to a variety of societies/cultures and to afford them a perspective on how globalization is bringing about and accelerating changes in these and other societies/cultures. It emphazises an appreciation of sociocultural differences on a world scale. Students, by learning about the life experience of other people in other societies, are encouraged to be sensitive to the values of others. Exposure to other peoples' values also assists students in clarifying their personal values. In addition the course offords students the opportunity to be aware of and intellectually sensitive to the interdependance among nations and peoples of the world. It does so by dealing with contemporary issues and events in a global context. Because these issues are diverse (e.g. social, economic, and technological) the course both emphasizes the integration of knowledge from related disciplines and provides a knowledge base that aids students in recognizing and solving complex problems. If the future success of our students is shaped by their ability to function in a multicultural globalized environment, it is imperative that students learn the skills to do so.

Course description:  This course offers a look at the lives of several groups of people from around our  modern world and the changes they experience. It addresses change in terms of socialization, subsistance, and other specifically identifiable areas. The course provides pictures of societies and cultures in the process of change and an understanding of contemporary global issues and basic human problems.

Texts: Three ethnographies are used for this course, they are: The Dobe JU/'Hoansi, Understanding Vietnam, and Thunder Rides a Black Horse. In addition there is a text, Mirror for Humanity 2nd edition, dealing with basic cultural concepts, that will help us idenify what it is we are searching for in each of the ethnographies.

Evaluation:  There will be three tests, two at 50 points, and a comprehensive final at 100 points. Attendance and participation will constitute 100 points with attendance being valued at 6 points per week (2 points per meeting if your class meets three times a week) and participation being the other 10 points. Five reaction papers pertaining to specific assigned readings and films (using a prescribed format) will count 20 points each for another 100 points. These relate to the content of the ethnographies or, in one case a film. None will be accepted late. You are also required to listen to one news or commentary program a week from National Public Radio (NPR) and maintain a journal of what you hear and your reaction. Your journal for this project is due one week before the final and counts 50 points. This will be better explained in class and you need to start the first week of the semester. Grading will then be on a graduated scale with 45 points representing the breaksbetween letter grades.  IE 450-405 Points= A.

Schedual of classes and content by week :

August 23:  Introduction: Read the Dobe Ju/'Hoansi.

Aug. 30: CULTURE: What is it and where do we find it? Ch. 2 in Kottak.

Sept. 6: Monday is Labor Day. See you Wednesday, when we talk about subsistance, adaptive strategies, foraging, and how people survive. Ch. 5 in Kottak. (How is your NPR journal going?? See me if it's not)

Sept. 13:  The Dobe Ju/'Hoansi. Foraging subsistance and change.

Sept 20:  Social organization and leadership in foraging societies. Ch. 7 in Kottak.  Find the web pages entitled: Bushmen at the Crossroads  and The Lawrence University !Kung page

Sept 27: Assimilation and acculturation. Race and ethnicity American style. Ch. 3 in Kottak.  First two reaction papers are due. 

Oct. 4: Test 1 ----Introduction to Southwest ceremonialism. Ch. 10 in Kottak and Thunder Rides a Black Horse.  Find this page Sunrise Dance

Oct. 18:  Monday is Fall break no classes. The role of religion in the maintenance of culture-Holy wars in America.

Oct. 25: Reciprocity and kinship ties or the ties that bind Ch.6 in Kottak.

Nov. 1: Gender AKA Sex lies and videotape. Ch.9 in Kottak. Third paper is due.

Nov. 8: 2nd exam ----Introduction to Southeast Asia. Read Understanding Vietnam.

Nov. 15: Language. Ch. 4 in Kottak Nov. 22: Monday only this week
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Colonialism or throwing off the yoke. Ch. 11 in Kottak. An interesting page here is called:  Vietnam Knowledge Base

Nov. 29: Colonialism cont'd and the Yin and Yang of tradition and modernization. Ch.12 in Kottak. All remaining reaction papers are due Friday.

Dec. 5:  Have Ch.13 in Kottak read for YOUR discussion on development and innovation (note that I emphasized YOUR).  The NPR journal is due on Friday of this week.

Dec. 13: Monday is a class day, we will briefly review for the final which is on Wednesday the 15th at 9:45 to 11:45 (it is a cumulative final including web pages)
 

Films:
Bushmen of the Kalahari
The Hunters
N!ai
Bitter Melons
The Apache Resistance
In the Image of the White Man
Origins of the Crown Dance
The Apache People
How to Behave
Ball State in Vietnam
Heaven and Earth
Trinkets and Beads

    REACTION PAPERS  (AKA COGNITIVE MAPS) Two formats are provided, one for written materials and one for film. Five papers are due by the deadlines given in the syllabus: two will be on chapters of your choice from The Dobe Ju/'Hoansi, one is from Thunder, one is from Understanding Vietnam, and the last is from the film Trinkets and Beads. Twenty points is the optimal grade and I emphasize OPTIMAL. You are not guaranteed those points just for turning something in. A paper with a high grade will demonstrate critical thinking and integration of knowledge at a serious level. The assignments.are explained the first day of class, if you miss or don't understand make sure to get the information from someone or see the graduate assistant as soon as possible.

    ELECTRONIC MAIL: I need your vax account address as soon as possible. Your tests have a take home componant which you will receive on the vax system and you must reply with your answers via e-mail. E-mail the graduate assistant as soon as you have read this.