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Curriculum Vitae

Syllabus

Who:               April Garwin, MA

What:              ANTH 3

When:             Fall 2008

Where:            Primarily, this room DTN 113, with occasional trips outside

Help!              Office: PS112 and By Arrangement

How:              Email: april-garwin@redwoods.edu

Other:              Course web page:  www.redwoods.edu/instruct/agarwin

Welcome!

Students should expect from me organized presentations, current information on the subject, thoughtful evaluation of assignments, timely return of graded assignments, and guidance in completing course requirements.

Please email me, or talk to me before or after class if you have any concerns during the semester.  You may request my home phone number for discussions, if necessary, but I am more available by email.

In return for a bold spirit of academic inquiry and integrity, I will offer you a fantastic class!

Texts/Other Sources

The textbook chosen for this class has been carefully selected from a wide range of material currently available.  Some familiarity on the part of the student with Internet searching and browsing is assumed as several excellent websites pertaining to cultural anthropology exist and will enrich your understanding of the class material. Handouts will be distributed during class and will also be available on the class website.

Garrick Bailey and James Peoples

            Essentials of Cultural Anthropology.  Wadsworth Thompson.

            ISBN # 0534586260

Spradley, James and David W. MuCurdy

Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology 12th edition.  Pearson. 

ISBN # 0205449700

Chagnon, Napoleon A.

            Yanomamo, 5th edition.  Wadsworth Thomson.

            ISBN # 0155053272

The required texts are available in the bookstore.

Course Description

An introduction to cultural anthropology that offers students an understanding of modern human cultural variation. Students study the concept of culture and the methods and theories of both applied and academic cultural anthropologists, using professional case studies as examples. Topics include gender, subsistence, economic systems, political systems, marriage and the family, kinship, religion, the arts, ethnicity, and culture change.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should achieve the following:

1)                 an ability to conduct basic field research

2)                 an ability to present the findings from research in a clear and concise manner

3)                 an understanding of what culture is

4)                 an understanding of modern human cultural variation

5)                 the ability to apply the concept of cultural relativism in thinking about the cultures of others

6)                 a knowledge of basic anthropological terms and specific examples to which they apply

General Expectations

It is my expectation that students will: attend class regularly, prepare for each class, follow directions for completing assignments, complete assignments on time, participate safely, meaningfully, and respectfully in class, ask questions, and seek assistance, if necessary.

I expect you to turn off all your electronic devices before you step into my classroom.  Your electronic gadgets are distracting and annoy the Instructor and your fellow classmates.  Use of ANY unauthorized electronic device is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during Class, including but not limited to Lectures and Exams.  If your cell phone rings in my class the consequences may be too horrific to envision.  Let’s not find out, hmmm?

Class participation is integral to the learning process in this course.  We will be doing in-class projects and demonstrations—your participation is critical to your success in this class.  Punctual arrival to class is expected.  Students who arrive to class late are expected to sneak in quietly and unobtrusively.  Chronic attendance problems will be noted and we will discuss them privately.  If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out in a timely manner what you missed.  You are responsible for learning the material you missed.

An accurate and complete set of lecture notes is important for performing well in this class.  Suggestions for taking good notes include: pre-reading, pre-class preparation, listening for clue words, taping lectures, comparing notes with other students, rewriting and reorganizing notes, and asking the Instructor for clarification.

The Instructor considers lecture material (like any other course material) to be intellectual property.  Students are not to sell lecture notes (and other class materials) to other students or to note-taking services, online or otherwise; such action may constitute copyright infringement and/or academic dishonesty.  See the section on Academic Dishonesty for more details.

Exams

Exam material may be drawn from any of the following sources: required reading material, lecture, handouts, and/or laboratory materials.  Exams may include any or all of the following formats: multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essays.

If you are a qualified student with a disability and need accommodation to complete exams or quizzes, please present your written accommodation request BEFORE the first quiz or assignment due date so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Students are expected to arrive on time for tests.  In the case that a student is excessively late (10 minutes or more past the start of class) in arriving to take a test, the instructor reserves the right to deny that student the opportunity to take the test with no possibility of a make-up exam.

There will be no makeup exams or late assignments accepted.  Please see the section entitled Grading Policy for more details.

Class Project

You will be required to complete one class Project.  The details of this Project will be presented at a later date, but will ultimately result in the production of a 7-10 page written report with documentation such as appendices and illustrations.  I will provide substantial support for this Project.

Your Project must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1-inch margins, and all citations must be given in standard Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  MLA is the standard citation style adopted by College of the Redwoods.  Information on MLA format is readily available in the Library.  Any Project that deviates from this format may not receive full credit.  If you need assistance, contact me as soon as possible.  Be aware that I have a very strict plagiarism policy.  See the section on Academic Dishonesty for more information.

I expect that your Project will be turned in at the beginning of class on the days they are due and to the Instructor to whom they are due.  “Dropping off your Project” to my car, my office, or to any secretary or to another Professor or Instructor is strictly prohibited.  Late Projects, handwritten or sloppy Projects, or Projects submitted electronically are not acceptable.

There will be no late Projects accepted.  Please see the section Grading Policy for more information.

Homework

The ability to critically analyze anthropological writings and the ability to express evidence and ideas through the medium of writing are acquired skills. 

To further your skills in critical evaluation, written Homework will be assigned.  These Homework questions require at least one full, well-developed paragraph as an answer. Your Homework must be typed in Times New Roman 12 point font with 1-inch margins, and all citations must be given in standard Modern Language Association (MLA) format. 

Homework Questions are found online at the ANTH 3 homepage, and are also available as a handout during Class.  Please follow the sample outline as you format your final typed Homework submission.  Please see me promptly if you have questions about the Homework assignment. 

There will be no late Homework accepted.  Please see the section Grading Policy for more information.

Grading Policy

There will be no makeup Exams or Quizzes and I will not accept late Projects or Homework.  Unless you have a valid written excuse (legal or medical), you will receive a ZERO on the missed assignment.  With a valid excuse, your grade will be averaged from the remaining graded assignments.

The final course grade is calculated by dividing the points earned (including any extra credit points) by the total points possible (excluding extra credit).  This percentage is then translated into a letter grade based on a 10% scale (A=90-100%, B=80-89%, etc.).  Final course grades will not be curved.  In some cases, students with borderline percentages (e.g., 59%, 69%, 79%, and 89%) are given the higher grade based on the following criteria: participation in the extra credit portion of the final, class attendance, class participation, or demonstrable improvement.

Letter grades for the class will be assigned based on the following breakdown:

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to abide by the rules of academic conduct.  I have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for falsification of data, cheating, and plagiarism.  If you are caught falsifying data, cheating, or plagiarizing or otherwise engaging in academic dishonesty you WILL flunk my class and I will submit the details to the appropriate authorities.  For complete details, refer to College of the Redwood’s Course Catalog.

A claim of ignorance as to what constitutes falsification of data, plagiarism, or cheating is not an excuse.  As scholars, you are required to cultivate an understanding of what constitutes intellectual theft and learn how to avoid it.

The consequences of academic dishonesty to an academic reputation can be dire.  A student faces expulsion, loss of standing, loss of scholarships and other honors.  If you have questions about plagiarism consult with me.  I have great strategies that will allow us to avoid all this unpleasantness.

I will actively advise you on homework, labs, assignments and tests.  Do your own work and take pride in it.  Do not be afraid to ask for appropriate assistance from those who can give it.  Feel free to use a proofreader.  Keep photocopies, photographs, and/or printouts of your research.  You are expected to submit these with your assignments.

Finally

I intend to promote an environment in this class in which all people are treated with dignity and respect.  During the course of the semester, we may consider subjects with political and/ or ethical implications.  Your tests, quizzes, presentations, and papers will not be evaluated based upon the opinion that you express about these issues.  Instead, your grade will relate to your ability to analytically approach these issues and bring related anthropological materials to support your arguments.

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I reserve the right to change any provision in this syllabus at any time.  Any necessary changes will be announced in class.