Anthropology 160: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Anthropology 160: Introduction to Cultural AnthropologySpring 2004MWF 1:00-2:00 Lab Sciences 300

Professor Margaret (Lou) BrownOffice: McMillan 324Office hours: Mon. 3:00-5:00Office phone: 5-8279e-mail: mbrown@artsci.wustl.eduUndergraduate Teaching Assistants:Katie Castellano: kacastel@artsci.wustl.eduAndrew Garfunkel: aggarfun@artsci.wustl.eduPriya Mhatre: pvmhatre@artsci.wustl.eduEllen Smith: emsmith@artsci.wustl.edu

Graduate Teaching Assistants:Office hours: all offices are in McMillan Hall

Liz Horton: ethorton@artsci.wustl.eduMon 2-4, Room B22

Kathleen Muldoon: kmmuldoo@artsci.wustl.eduWed 2-4, Room B23

Beth Townsend: ketownse@artsci.wustl.eduTues 3-5, Room 341

Catrina Adams: catraino@artsci.wustl.eduThurs 1-3, Room B22

Course Website: http://artsci.wustl.edu/~mbrown/anthro160.htmlCourse DescriptionCultural anthropologists study the diversity of human societies around the world. Although we are most often associated with studies of small-scale societies located in remote parts of the world, cultural anthropologists are also increasingly conducting research in more complex societies. Todays anthropologists can be found studying such varied topics as the working poor in New York City, film production in Bolivia, and environmental activism in eastern Europe. Regardless of where the research takes place, the purpose of much contemporary anthropological analysis is to bring a comparative, cross-cultural approach to understanding how human beings respond to the challenges of living in the modern world.Cultural anthropologists take a holistic approach to the study of humankind. This means that we dont simply look at a single part of a society in order to address a particular research question; instead, we examine the interrelationship among such realms as politics, economics, kinship and family relations, religion, and language. While all anthropologists do not study all of these realms, and some study these plus a few others (such as art and music), there is general agreement among cultural anthropologists that recognition of interconnectedness is a necessary precondition for developing an in-depth understanding of any social phenomenon. To understand these interrelationships, the anthropologist immerses himself or herself in the culture of study while striving to retain an outsiders analytical perspective.In this course, we will examine some of the dominant methods, theories, and debates informing the discipline of cultural anthropology. In addition to studying the content of anthropological analyses, we will also study the processes of conducting anthropological fieldwork and some of the practical applications of anthropological knowledge. Readings for the course have been chosen to provide you with a sampling of the variety of ways anthropologists write about what we study.

BooksThe following books are required and are available for purchase at the Campus Bookstore.

DeVita, Philip R. and James D. Armstrong (on syllabus as DM)2002 Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture. (3rd edition) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.This is a collection of readings examining American life from the perspective of non-natives.

Ortner, Sherry (on syllabus as SO) 2001 Life and Death on Mount Everest. Princeton University Press.

Spradley, James and David W. McCurdy (on syllabus as C&C)2003 Conformity and Conflict. Eleventh Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.This is a collection of readings by some of the best ethnographers in the discipline. We will read selections from this throughout the semester.

In addition to the texts, there are three articles on reserve in the library - information will be provided on the course website and in class about how to access them. There may be other short readings available on the web related to particular topics; these will be announced in class and on the course website.

Evaluation of Students90%: Three examsPlease note the dates of the exams now, and make sure that you have no conflicts. All exams are held during the scheduled class time. 30%: February 18 30%: March 3130%: April 30 (last day of class)Exams are not cumulative. However, concepts and terminology you learn early in the course will be referred to throughout.Exams will draw both on lecture material and on the course readings.I strongly discourage you from missing scheduled exams. If at all possible, please notify me, by e-mail or phone if necessary, of an expected absence. Due to the difficulty of preparing fair, challenging questions for the three exams, make-up exams will consist only of essay questions. 10%: Two short papers (three pages each)Topics for these papers will be announced in class and on the course website. These will be due February 9 and April 16.

Students taking the course pass/fail must earn a grade of C- or above in order to receive credit for this course.

Expectations of Students You should plan to attend class regularly, ask questions when you are confused about a concept, and do the readings prior to coming to class. You will not get much out of this class if you do not attend the lectures. Because there are so many of us, it will be helpful if you avoid bringing loud snacks (or very odorous ones). Avoid talking to your neighbor and passing notes or sending text messages. Plan to arrive on time and to leave on time. If you are having trouble hearing me or seeing something written on the board or on an overhead, please inform me immediately. Dont be timid. While I will do my best to see raised hands, it may be necessary for you to shout out. Do not abuse e-mail. Very complex questions or issues are best addressed during office hours. If you cannot make one of the posted office hours, arrange an individual appointment. Cell phone use is prohibited during class.

Students with learning disabilities should contact the Disability Resource Center at 5-6042 to arrange appropriate accommodations.

DateTopicReading to be completed

WedJan 21

Introduction

Fri Jan 23Cultural anthropology as Anthropology and Social ScienceDM # 3

MonJan 26Anthropological theory and the concept of cultureC & C # 1DM #4

Wed Jan 28Research design and ethics

C & C #4http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm

Fri Jan 30Anthropological Method: Fieldwork

DM #10C & C #2 & 3

MonFeb 2Language and communication Paper topic assignment reading:http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ch3.htmC& C # 6, 8, & 9

WedFeb 4Kinship and Descent

C & C #21

Fri Feb 6Film: Dadis Family

Mon Feb 9Marriage and AlliancePaper #1 Due C & C # 22

Wed Feb 11Household OrganizationC & C #23

Fri Feb 13Social Stratification and RankingDM # 11

Mon Feb 16Gender & Feminist AnthropologyC & C #24 & 25

Wed Feb 18FIRST EXAM

FriFeb 20Globalization, Human Rights, Cultural RightsC & C # 16 & 19SO Ch. 1

MonFeb 23Guest lecture: Geoff ChildsTopic: Himalayan research SO Ch. 2-3

Wed Feb 25Race/ethnicity

C & C # 26 & 27SO Ch. 4

FriFeb 27Film: Flames in the ForestC & C # 36SO Ch. 5-6

MonMar 1Anthropology and Economic DevelopmentC & C #18SO Ch. 7-8

WedMar 3Discussion of Climbing Mount EverestSO Ch. 9-10Submit questions in advance

FriMar 5Adaptation and Subsistence StrategiesC & C # 11 & 12

M-FMar 8-12Spring Break

MonMar 15Guest Lecture: Caroline Lesorogol Topic: Pastoralism in Kenya

WedMar 17Exchange and Economic ProcessesC & C #15

FriMar 19Film: Ongkas Big Moka

MonMar 22Culture and Social ValueDM #16

WedMar 24Markets and Informal EconomiesC & C #17

FriMar 26Property and Social OrganizationDM #12

MonMar 29

Studying Up

WedMar 31SECOND EXAM

FriApr 2Political SystemsC & C #31

MonApr 5Disputes and Social Control

WedApr 7Psychological AnthropologyPaper topic announcedDM #6 & 9 Reserve:Johnson

FriApr 9Medical AnthropologyC & C #20 & 37

MonApr 12Guest Lecture: Vanessa HildebrandTopic: Studying Birth in IndonesiaReserve: Delaney

WedApr 14Magic and Witchcraft

C & C #34Reserve: Gottlieb

FriApr 16Religion and RitualPaper #2 dueC & C 33DM #18

MonApr 19Film: Witchcraft and Magic Among the Azande

WedApr 21Religion and Social MovementsC & C #32 & 35

FriApr 23Legal AnthropologyC & C #29 & 30

MonApr 25Cultural Depictions of AnthropologistsC & C #38

WedApr 27Conclusion of CourseDM #17

FriApr 30FINAL EXAM

1