ANTH 207.004: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

 

Samuel G. Collins

Li-318A, x3199

scollins@towson.edu

pages.towson.edu/scollins

 

Office Hours:

Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.

 

class description:

 

Globalization was supposed to result in a homogeneous world grounded in global media, corporate retail and fast-food.  Instead, the opposite seems to have happened: “culture,” far from becoming subordinated to rational choice, increasingly proliferates along transnational scapes.  Moreover, the interpenetration of national borders characteristic of globalization no longer allows us the luxury of remaining within an insular, ethnocentric world.  Our success and survival depends upon understanding the powerful forces that shape these cultural ecologies.  How do we make sense of this fecund growth of meaning and identity, this increasingly heterogeneous world?  Why, through anthropology, of course. 

 

Anthropology has been called "a critique of common sense," a description that highlights anthropology=s critical role in a contemporary world riven with inequality and a studied lack of understanding: i.e., the "gadfly" discipline. By reflexively discomfiting "common sense," social and cultural categories in the perception of difference, anthropology opens a middle ground between "self" and "Other," "rationality" and "emotion," "politics" and "ritual." That middle ground is the locus of connections between discursive and geographic orders, potentially powerful sites allowing us to perceive the linkages between not only institutions and ways of knowing, but between places in the multiplying networks of global society.

 

In this class, we will consider all aspects of cultural anthropology, both historically (from the 18thcentury to the present) and synchronically, in the careful analysis of case studies and ethnographic films. Our goals are threefold: 1) to map the space of cultural anthropology as an academic discipline; 2) to make thematic and epistemological connections between anthropology and other academic disciplines; and 3) to understand the relevance of cultural anthropology for everyday, modern life.

 

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students should be able to summarize the major goals of cultural anthropology and identify contemporary trends in the field.  Students will be able to demonstrate an anthropological understanding grounded in the apperception of sociohistorical contexts. 

 

Learning outcomes include: 1) improved communicative and interpretive skills, and 2) opportunities to synthesize knowledge and apply knowledge to new context. 

 

required readings:

The following texts are available in the campus bookstore:

Augé, Marc, and Jean-Paul Colleyn (2006). The World of the Anthropologist. NY: Berg Publishers.

 

Biao, Xiang (2007). Global “Body Shopping.” Princeton: Princeton University Press.

 

Suh, Sharon (2007). Being Buddhist in a Christian World. Seattle, WA: University Washington Press.

 

graded assignments

attendance Attendance in this course is required. Here's how it works: students begin the course with an "A" in attendance but, for each class missed, lose two points. However: each student can miss two "grace classes" before being penalized. 30 pts.

activities and homework

Students will (occasionally) undertake activities related to readings and lectures, including group discussions, films and out-of-class assignments. Students will be graded on the work they produce and on their participation in the activity. 20 pts.

first exam (September 26) The first exam will test both your knowledge and understanding with a battery of multiple choice, "True-False" and “fill-in-the-blank” questions. 50 pts

second exam (November 7) The second exam will test your intellectual probity through a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. 50 pts. 

final exam The final examination will measure your apprehension of ideas and theories from lectures, readings and films through a series of short answer questions. 50 pts

 

class grading

Your final grade will be computed by adding together the following point values for graded assignments and examinations:

 

Attendance:      30 pts.

Homework:      20 pts.

First Exam:       50 pts.

2^nd Exam:         50 pts.

Final Exam:       50 pts.

                        _____

                        200 pts.

 

A 186+

A- 180-185

B+ 174-179

B 166-173

B- 160-165

C+ 154-159

C 146-153

C- 140-145

D+ 134-139

D 120-133

F <120

 

class schedule:

1st Week Introduction to the course and explanation of syllabus.

(8/27-8/31) What is cultural anthropology?

Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 1-20.

 

2nd Week Fundamental Concepts

(9/5-9/7) Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 21-53.

Biao, xxxi-xx, 1-12.

September 3: LABOR DAY

September 5: Change of Schedule period ends.

 

3rd Week Globalization and Multiple Modernities

(9/10-9/14) Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 54-74.

Biao, pp. 13-38.

 

4th Week India, Australia  and Modernity

(9/17-9/21) Film: Monsoon Wedding (2001)

Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 75-96.

Biao, pp. 39-69.

 

5th Week First Examination

(9/24-9/28)

6th Week Conceptualizing Culture

(10/1-10/5) Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 97-118.

Biao, 70-99.

 

7th Week Cultures of Science/ Information Society

(10/8-10/12) Assigned Reading: Auge and Colleyn, pp. 97-122.

Biao, pp. 100-128.

 

8th Week Culture Change and Acquisition

(10/15-10/19) Assigned Reading: Suh, 1-32

 

9th Week  Korean Modernity

(10/22-10/26) Assigned Reading: Suh, pp. 33-56

Film: “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring” (2003)

 

10^th Week: Korean Buddhism

(10/29-11/2) Assigned Reading: Suh, pp. 58-95

 

11^th Week Second Exam

(11/5-11/9)

November 7: Last day to Withdrawal with a ‘W’.

 

12th Week Transnationalism

(11/12-11/16) Assigned Reading: Suh, pp. 96-132

Film: Excerpts from “My Lovely Sam-Soon” (2005)

 

13th Week Gender and Power

(11/19) Assigned Reading: Suh, pp. 133-164

11/21-11/25: Thanksgiving Holiday

 

14th Week Ideology and Identity

Assigned Reading: Suh, pp. 165-210

(11/26-11/30)

 

15th Week Kinship and Marriage

(12/3-12/7)

Film: TBA

 

16th Week Anthropological Futures and Ethnogenesis

(12/10)

December 10: Last day of classes.

 

 

notes

1. Although exams and graded work will remain as stated above, I may have to change different

readings or films on the syllabus throughout the semester. I will, in any case, try to give you

ample warning of any syllabus changes.

2. Cheating and Plagiarism policy:  Our department has the following policy on academic dishonesty:

The faculty of the Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice take a strong stand against Academic Dishonesty of all forms.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any class.  It includes, but is not limited to, any form of cheating or unapproved help on an exam or academic exercise, copying someone else’s written work without citation, presenting fabricated information as legitimate, any unauthorized collaboration among students, or assisting someone to cheat in any way.  All students have the ethical responsibility for doing their own work.  A student who is uncertain about whether or not something constitutes academic dishonesty in a particular class has the obligation to see their instructor for clarification.  Consistent with university policy, the minimum penalty for academic dishonesty in any form is determined by the individual faculty member in each class, and may consist of “a reduced grade (including “F” or zero) for the assignment; a reduced grade (including “F”) for the entire course,” or other options as stipulated in Appendix F of the Undergraduate Catalog.  Students who are charged with academic dishonesty must remain enrolled in the course and cannot withdraw.  Instructors who make the determination that academic dishonesty has occurred will notify the student in writing of the finding, the penalty, and the process for appeal.  The same written notice will be forwarded to the Office of Judicial Affairs on campus, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and to the Chair’s Office in the department.  Academic Dishonesty undermines the legitimate efforts of students and involves serious repercussions.  The faculty of the department urge all our students to act with integrity with regard to work submitted.    (Approved Spring 2004)

 

In addition, Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the University’s policy:

http://wwwnew.towson.edu/provost/resources/studentacademic.asp

 

3. Students with learning disabilities should register at the Disability Support Services Office.  DSS will contact me with necessary accommodations. 

 

4. Late homework: Late homework assignments will be accepted at ½ credit (1-2 days late) or ¼ credit (3-4 days late).  After 4 days, late homeworks will no longer be accepted.

 

5. Make-up Work: Under extraordinary circumstances, documented by physicians, police, etc., students may be allowed to make-up missed work.

 

6. Students who are disruptive may be dismissed from class.

 

explanation of grading

explanation of grading

Consistent with University policy, the following grades will be assigned according to the designated criteria:

A: A superior performance surpassing assigned work in unique and novel ways and

integrating diverse ideas from a wide range of sources in addition to those discussed in class.

A-

B+

B: Excellent work surpassing the expectations of the assignment and demonstrating initiative

and a willingness to move beyond the basic requirements of the assigned work.

B-

C+