Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology

Anthropology 2A (60030)
Winter, 2015
James Egan: Instructor
Office: SBSG 3101
Office Phone: 824-0705
Office Hours: Wednesday 11:00-12:00 & by appointment
E-Mail: jaegan@uci.edu
Vicki Ronaldson: Secretary (SSPA 3143); vmronald@uci.edu
________Teaching Assistants_________
Henry Hail hhail@uci.edu
Colin McLaughlin-Alcock cmclaug1@uci.edu
Ben Leffel bleffel@uci.edu

____Teaching Assistants____
Nathan Coben ncoben@uci.edu
Emily Andrews traeger@uci.edu

Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of sociocultural anthropology. The class
has two main goals: first, to give students an understanding of anthropological approaches
to human sociocultural diversity, and second, to provide a foundation for higher level
courses in anthropology. In order for us to meet these goals it is necessary to have some
sense of where anthropology has been and where it is going. Sociocultural anthropology
has always concerned itself with differences between human societies across time and
space, but only more recently has anthropology come to consider power relations both
within and between societies to be a fundamental part of that diversity. Power works
through more than direct economic and political means. Its effects are also realized
through representations - through the ways we think about differences between
individuals, groups, and societies. Thus, course discussions of both cultural difference and
even of the way anthropologists have talked about difference will necessarily take power
relations into account. In particular we will take a good look at gender relations in a
number of societies including the United States. We will also situate anthropological
representations of other peoples within the broader processes of colonialism and
globalism.
Grades will be assigned on the basis of performance on two midterms and a final as
follows (note that students must take the final at the scheduled time on Mar 16):
Midterm 1
Midterm 2
Final
Total

330 pts
330 pts
340 pts
1000 pts

(33%)
(33%)
(34%)
(100%)

Course Materials
Mirror for Humanity,8th Edition
Conrad Phillip Kottak
The Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea
Annette Weiner
Spirits of Resistance and Capitalist Discipline: Factory Women in Malaysia
Aiwa Ong
Course Packet:
Brief readings from:
Steven J.Gould: The Mismeasure of Man
Emily Martin: The Woman in the Body
Emily Martin: Signs

Lecture and Readings Schedule

(this schedule may be modified as circumstances warrant)

1/5

Introduction. Anthropology as the Study of Human Diversity. The Four

Subfields of Anthropology. Culture & Nature.
Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 1

1/7, 1/9, 1/12 Scientific Racism. Craniometry. Race and Biological Difference.
Alternatives to Race as a Biological Tool. Ethnicity
Read: Measuring Heads (in course packet).
& Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 11
1/14, 1/16

Social Evolution. Unilinear Evolution. Evolutionary Stages. The Critique

of Unilinear Evolution.
Read: Measuring Heads (in course packet).

1/21

Culture
Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapters 2 & 4

1/23, 1/26

Subsistence Strategies
Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 5

1/28

Midterm 1

1/30, 2/2, 2/4 Kinship, Descent Groups, Marriage

Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 7 & 3

2/6, 2/9

Political Organization
Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapters 6 & 3

2/11, 2/13, 2/18 Trobriands, Gender, Exchange, and Power

Read: Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea
& Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 8
2/20

Midterm 2

2/23, 2/25, 2/27 Globality and Anthropology. World Capitalist System. Colonialism.
Impact Upon the Conquered
Read: Mirror for Humanity: Chapters 10
3/2, 3/4, 3/6 Capitalism & Globality. Biopolitics and Docile Bodies. From the Village to
the Factory Floor.
Read: Spirits of Resistance: Chapters 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, Conclusion
3/9, 3/11

Malaysian Factory Workers: Public Perceptions, Worker Responses &

Spirit Possessions.
Read: Spirits of Resistance: Chapters 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, Conclusion
& Mirror for Humanity: Chapters 12 & 13

3/13

Gender, Representations, Economy and Power in the US.

Read: The Egg and the Sperm (in course packet)
& PMS chapter in The Woman in the Body (in course packet)
Review relevant material in Mirror for Humanity: Chapter 8.

3/16 (Monday) Final Exam, 10:30-12:30. Students are expected to take the final
at this time!