ANTH& 206!

Cultural Anthropology!
Fall Quarter 2015!

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(5 Credits)! !
Instructor: Taylor Holtzheimer, M.Ed.!
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Class meets 11:30-12:55 MWF, LDC 215A!

AnthropologyThe comparative study of human societies and culture!

CultureThe learned behaviors and symbols that allow people to live in groups. The primary means by
which humans adapt to their environments. The way of life characteristic of a particular human society.!
Cultural Anthropology The study of human behavior that is learned rather than genetically
transmitted, and that is typical of groups of people.!

Texts: !Nanda & Warms, Cultural Anthropology, 10th Edition!

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Peters-Golden, Culture Sketches, 6th Edition!

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Grades:!
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400 Points Possible!

Weekly Responses (10 points each) - 100 total points!

Weekly Bias Examinations (10 points each) - 100 total points!
Ethnography Project - 100 total points!
Class Participation (10 points per week) - 100 total points!

Weekly Response 250 word response to a chosen question from a list of possible questions
given weekly. This should include at least one in-text citation from the course readings. This will
be graded on the content, quality of writing, and the proper use of citation.!

Weekly Bias Exams In-class, short answer quiz regarding cultural biases, perspectives, and
assumptions as discussed throughout the associated week. Graded on content, depth, and the
quality of writing.!

Ethnography Project Project will involve students choosing a culture, sub-culture, or

approved group to perform a brief ethnography on. They must explain the cultures in sections
as similar to Culture Sketches 6th Edition, describing major subsistence patterns, religion,
economics, etc. This can involve fictional cultures, but must be based in an accessible fiction
(Star Trek, Middle-Earth, etc.) with citable source material to meet the needs of the assignment.!
Minimum of 800 words, graded on content, quality of writing and formatting, use of supporting
evidence, lack of bias, and proper use of citation. Must include a reference list (APA) with at
least 5 references. !

Class Participation This includes general attendance, but primarily is concerned with active
participation in class discussions and activities. We will be playing a lot of games, taking part in
activities, discussing videos, discussing news, etc. Much of the learning in this course will be
based around building bridges between the formal course readings and real-life experiences.
Lack of participation not only means you dont get to hear others experiences, but it also means
you are depriving others of yours. Your personal life experience and story is more valuable than
any book I could ask you to read.!

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Learning Objectives!
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1. Demonstrate college-level communication skills in the following ways: apply critical thinking
skills to what, seen, and heard, identify main points and implications in reading material, write at
college level on out of class assignments and reflective responses, follow expected format and
citation methods, and present written material clearly.!

2. Demonstrate thinking skills by analyzing what is presented in class, reasoning beyond basic
concepts, and using materials presented to reach new conclusions.!

3. Identify their own cultural assumptions, perspectives and values, and acknowledge and
understand the cultural assumptions, perspectives and values of others.!

4. Identify ethnocentric behavior and attitudes, and apply the perspective of cultural relativism to
the study of other cultures.!

5. Understand the interdependence of humans and the natural world in the context of cultural
adaptations to diverse environments.!

6. Examine how cultural values and world views affect all aspects of culture and the lives of
individuals.!

7. Demonstrate research, ethnographic observation and cultural interpretation skills in

completing assigned projects.!

8. Understand the scope of anthropology, the research methods used in cultural anthropology,
and the reasons for use of specific methods.!

9. Gain cross-cultural awareness based on the knowledge of a wide range of cultural forms and
functional variations including economics, family, marriage, kinship, gender, stratification,
political systems, religion and art.!

10. Understand how cultures change and how traditional cultures have been impacted by
European colonialism, religious conversion, and industrial expansion.!

11. Demonstrate knowledge of the many ways in which anthropology can be applied to solving
practical problems, especially in the areas of medical care, elder care, education and economic
development.!

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Week Chapters of Nanda & Warms,

Cultural Anthropology, !
10th Edition

Themes

1 Chapter 1

Intro to Anthropology

2 Chapter 2!

Human Evolution

3 Chapter 3, 4!

Ethnography & Culture

4 Chapter 5, 6!
Ethnography Proposal Due

Language & Learning

5 Chapter 7, 8

Subsistence & Economics

6 Chapter 9,10

Marriage & Kinship

7 Chapter 11, 12

Gender & Organization

8 Chapter 13, 14

Social Stratification & Ethnicity

9 Chapter 15, 16

Religion & Arts

10 Chapter 17!
Ethnography Project Due

Culture Change

11 Ethnography Presentations!
Ungraded - Details to be
discussed in class.!
No responses or exams this
week.

Reflection

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: !

Any student with a disability requiring auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations should
contact the Access & Disability Services (ADS) office in the Entry and Advising Center in LDC
116 or call 383-3080 or 360.255.7182 (Videophone) to make an appointment. Students with
special learning needs should inform the instructor of special accommodations in writing by the
end of the first week of classes. !

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CLASS CANCELLATION PROCEDURES:!
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In the event that class needs to be canceled, due to illness or inclement weather, instructions
and assignments will be distributed via e-mail and on the web at !
http://holtzheimeranth.wordpress.com Please check the website and your e-mail regularly.!

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BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:!
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It is expected that, since we are all adults here, we know how to treat others with respect and
how to behave in a classroom setting. However, since everyones definition of appropriate
behavior differs, I will let you know what my opinion is.!

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I expect that everyone will arrive in class on time, and prepared. This means
doing the reading ahead of time to be prepared for active classroom discussion. !
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If you must be late to class or leave early, please discuss this with your instructor
beforehand, and try to enter/exit as quietly as possible so you dont disrupt the learning
environment. !
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Eating in class is acceptable, as long as you dont leave a mess behind. !
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Talking in class must be topic-related and respectful to both the instructor and
other students. !
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Please refrain from completing assignments during class. If there is something
more important you feel you should be doing instead of participating in class,
then simply do not come to class and do that instead. !
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Cell phones must be turned off or silenced during class, and texting during class
is expressly prohibited. !
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Asking questions is always encouraged, and may be done at any time. !
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Any excessively loud, rude, or threatening behavior during class will not be
tolerated and will be dealt with by the instructor. I do not tolerate sexism, racism, homophobia,
classism, ageism, religious intolerance, bigotry, or discriminating remarks of any kind.!

Any further information about your rights and responsibilities as a student can be found in the
WCC Student Handbook.!

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ACADEMIC HONESTY:!
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Academic honesty and integrity are taken seriously at WCC. Any and all forms of cheating will
result in disciplinary action. After one offense, a grade of 0 will be earned for the particular
assignment, and will be reported to the Vice President for Educational Services. After more than
one offense, a grade of F will be earned in the course, and formal disciplinary action may be
pursued.