ANTH 207: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Samuel G. Collins
Li-318A, x3199
scollins@towson.edu
pages.towson.edu/scollins
Office Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2-3:30 pm
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:
Suh,
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 (February 27) 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 (April 9) 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.
2nd 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 140-153
D+ 134-139
D 120-133
F <120
class schedule:
1st Week Introduction to the course and explanation of syllabus.
(1/28-1/30) What is cultural anthropology?
Assigned
2nd Week Fundamental Concepts
(2/4-2/6) Assigned
Xiang, xxxi-xx, 1-12.
February 5: Change of Schedule period ends.
3rd Week Globalization and Multiple Modernities
(2/11-2/13) Assigned
Xiang, pp. 13-38.
4th Week
(2/18-2/20) Film: Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Assigned
Xiang, pp. 39-69.
5th Week First Examination
(2/25-2/27)
6th Week Conceptualizing Culture
(3/3-3/5) Assigned
Xiang, 70-99.
7th Week Cultures of Science/ Information Society
(3/10-3/12) Assigned
Xiang, pp. 100-128.
8th Week Spring Break
(3/17-3/19)
9th Week Culture Change and Acquisition
(3/24-3/26) Assigned
10th Week Korean Modernity
(3/31-4/2) Assigned
Film: “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring” (2003)
11th Week: Second Exam
(4/7-4/9)
12th Week Korean Buddhism
(4/14-4/16) Assigned
13th Week Transnationalism
(4/21-4/23) Assigned
Film: Excerpts from “My Lovely Sam-Soon” (2005)
14th Week Gender and Power
(4/28-4/30) Assigned
15th Week Ideology and Identity
Assigned
(5/5-5/7)
16th Week Kinship and Marriage
(5/12)
Film: TBA
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
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.
7. This course may be repeated only once without the prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee.
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+
C: Satisfactory work meeting all basic requirements of the assignment.
D+
D: Work in some way less than satisfactory. Although conforming to basic requirements in
some way, the completed work is nevertheless not a coherent response to the
assignment.
F: A profoundly unsatisfactory performance which doesn't meet
the intent of the assignment at any level.