MWF, 10-10:50 a.m.

Li-007

Samuel G. Collins

Li-318A, x3199

scollins@towson.edu

www.towson.edu/~scollins

Office Hours:

Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.

Fridays, 1-2 p.m., or by appointment

class description:

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 course, we will
strive for that "middle ground," using studies of the local in an Odyssean cycle of travel and return
to critique our common sense notions and to suggest the possibility of mediated understandings of
"structure" and "agency," "group"" and ""individual," "nature" and "culture."

In this class, we will consider all aspects of cultural anthropology, both historically (from the 18th
century 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.

I will be a guide of sorts as you enter the study of cultural anthropology, but much of the
responsibility rests on you to participate in all aspects of this class, from attendance to class
discussions, reading and assignments.

required readings:

The following texts are available in the campus bookstore:

Abelmann, Nancy. The Melodrama of Mobility. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2003.

Monaghan, John and Peter Just. Social & Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Ong, Aihwa. Buddha is Hiding. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003.

recommended readings:

Lippman, Laura. Baltimore Blues. New York: Avon Books, 1997.

graded assignments

1). attendance: Attendance in this course is required. Here’’s how it works: students begin the course with an "A" in attendance and participation but, for each class missed, lose a "grade step" (e.g., A to A-, C+ to C). However: each student can miss two "grace classes" before being penalized. Absences due to emergency or illness may be excused if students present acceptable documentation.

2). homework: At various times throughout the semester, I will assign homework based on class readings, films and discussions. Students may complete the homework for extra credit on the midterm and final exam.

3). essay: Using Abelmann’s and Ong’s books as touchstones, students will compare the varied experiences of modernity of 2-3 different groups of people in the U.S. as they make their way amidst inequalities and opportunities. Using a variety of sources, including newspaper articles and film, students will apply the critical vocabulary of anthropology and modernity to a population of their choice.

4). midterm exam: The midterm exam will test both your reading knowledge and your understanding of class discussions and activities through a battery of short answer questions.

5). final exam: Our final exam will ask you to apply the ideas you've culled from readings, lectures, films and discussions and apply them to new or novel situations in an extended essay format.

class grading

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

Attendance: 40 points

Homework: extra credit

Midterm Exam:60 points

Essay: 60 points

Final Exam: 40 points

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.

(1/26-1/30) What is cultural anthropology?

Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 1-12.

2nd Week Fundamental Concepts

(2/2-2/6) Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, 14-33

February 3: Change of Schedule period ends.

3rd Week Globalization and Multiple Modernities

(2/9-2/13) Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 34-52

Abelmann, Chp. 1

4th Week Korea and Modernity

(2/16-2/20) Film: Ch’unhyangdy4n (2000)

Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 53-74

Abelmann, Chapter 2-3

5th Week Conceptualizing Culture

(2/23-2/27) Film: Yeopgi Jokin Geunyo (2002)

Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 107-130

Abelmann, Chapter 4-5

6th Week Conceptualizing Culture redux

(3/1-3/5) Assigned Reading: Abelmann, Chapters 6-7

7th Week Culture Change and Acquisition

(3/8-3/12) Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 131-146

Abelmann, Chapter 8

8th Week Review for Midterm

(3/15-3/19) Assigned Reading: Abelmann, Chapters 9-Conclusion

March 17: Midterm Examination

9th Week Spring Break

(3/22-3/26)

10^th Week: Politics and Power

(3/29-4/2) Film: Herders of Mongun-Taiga

Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 89-106

Ong, Chps. 1-3

Essays and Library Research

4/2--Last day to withdraw with a ‘W’.

11th Week Towards an Anthropology of Capitalism

(4/5-4/9) Assigned Reading: Ong, Chps. 4-6

Film: TBA

12th Week Assigned Reading: Ong, Chps. 5-7

(4/12-4/16)

13th Week Assigned Reading: Ong, Chps. 8-10

(4/19-4/23)

14th Week Kinship and Marriage

(4/26-4/30) Assigned Reading: Monaghan and Just, pp. 75-88

Ong, Afterword

Film: TBA

15th Week Anthropology and Modernity

(5/3-5/7) May 3: Essays Due

16th Week Review

(5/10)

FINAL EXAMINATION: May 14, 10:15 am-12:15 pm

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. Each student is required to be familiar with the University’’s

rules regarding cheating and plagiarism (Towson University Undergraduate Catalog, Appendix

F). Neither will be tolerated in my class and will result in a flunking grade.

3. Students with learning disabilities should register at the Disability Support Services Office.

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.

C-

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.