Syllabus

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!

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 folklore 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.

The required texts are available in the bookstore. Other Required material is archived on the course website.

1981. The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends and Their Meanings. Norton.

1986. Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales. University of Illinois Press.

Students will collect study and analyze forms of folklore such as folk-speech, superstitions, gestures, graffiti, etc. Emphasis will be on the analysis of collections and the use of folklore as a tool for understanding domestic and foreign cultures.

Upon completion of this course, students should achieve an independent ability to critically investigate human behavior and culture by demonstrating competency in the following areas:

1) Recognize and distinguish the dynamic and "traditional" components of folklore.

3) Analyze primary and secondary sources in order to extract information relevant to an issue of concern.

4) Apply anthropological concepts to real-world situations, demonstrating an ability to process factual information into their own interpretive frameworks.

6) Exhibit the ability to think logically about issues in anthropology and how people have interpreted those issues.

7) Sustain an argument through the use of evidence and logic in class discussions, essay exam questions, and term papers.

8) Discuss how folklorists have analyzed and interpreted various aspects of societies inclucing, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, class, gender, technology, and religion in class discussions, essay exam questions, and term papers.

9) Display the above (1-8) skills in class discussions, written work, and written examinations.

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 your cell phones and pagers and other electronic gizmos BEFORE you enter my classroom. Your electronic gadgets annoy me 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.

I expect that projects will be turned in at the beginning of class on the days they are due. Late projects, handwritten or sloppy projects, or projects submitted electronically will not be accepted. “Dropping off a project (or any graded materials)” to my office, another instructor/Professor, my car, or to any department secretary is strictly prohibited.

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, essays and/or visual or tactile identification of skeletal elements or laboratory materials.

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 additional information.

You will be required to complete two Major Papers/Projects. The details of these projects will ultimately result in the production of two (2) five- page reports. These reports must be typed in Times New Roman or Arial 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 will not receive full credit. If you need assistance, contact me as soon as possible. I have great suggestions and strategies available! Be aware that I have a very strict plagiarism policy.

There will be no makeup projects and no late projects will be accepted. Please see the section entitled Grading Policy for additional details.

There will be no makeup exams, quizzes, projects, assignments or other graded work. Unless you have a valid written excuse (family, legal, or medical), you will receive a ZERO on the missed assignment; with a valid and documented 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.

Quiz 1	100
Project 1	100
Midterm	200
Quiz 2	100
Project 2	100
Final	200

90-100%	A
80-89.9%	B
70-79.9%	C
60-69.9%	D
below 59.9%	F

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.

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.

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