Cultural Anthropology

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Introduction to culture and cultural anthropology. Economic Systems, Kinship, Belief systems, Political systems, stratification. Comparative and holistic study of contemporary societies and Issues RATIONALE: This course is intended for freshmen and/or sophomores. It introduces the students to the study of humanity, examining it from a comparative and holistic viewpoint; its achievements and limitations. Through exposure theoretical development, to different cultures, ideological familiar, religious and economic systems, to customs and ways of life, students will be in a position to better appreciate and understand their own culture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course a student should be able to:
1. Acquire a foundation in socio-cultural Anthropology.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of core anthropological concepts and principles.
3. Explain the rationale behind cultural variability and critically analyze theoretical paradigms.
4. Develop the necessary analytical tools to analyse, compare society from a holistic and cross-cultural perspective.
5. Analyse and discuss the dynamics of culture.
6. Demonstrate detailed understanding of contemporary issues from an anthropological perspective.

METHOD OFTEACHING AND LEARNING: In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:  Classes lectures, interactive learning (class discussions, group work) video presentations and discussions.  Exercises and primary source documents are assigned as homework, the developments of which are reviewed in class  Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their lecturer, where they can address issues and ask questions pertinent to the course material.  Use of a blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.  Assistance from the Writing Centre is also available to students who choose to get additional help.

ASSESSMENT: Summative: Mid term Examination 40 Final Examination 60 Formative: On-line, unit "diagnostic" test - formative 0 The formative test aims to prepare students for the examinations. The midterm examination tests Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4. The final examination tests Learning Outcomes 4, 5, and 6

INDICATIVE READING: REQUIRED READING:  Hendry, Joy (2008), An Introduction to Social Anthropology: Sharing our Worlds. Palgrave, Macmillan.

REQUIRED READING: Selected readings from:  Haviland, William A., Robert J. Gordon (eds.) Talking about People: Readings in Contemporary Cultural Anthropology {1996} (London: Mayfield), Latest ed. Articles :  Lee, Richard B. 1969, ‘Eating Christmas in the Kalahari’, pp. 13-20 in Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. Boston: Little Brown & Company  Geertz, Clifford. 1972. Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight. Daedalus (Winter) 101(1): 1-37. Further Readings:  Podolefsky, Aaron, Brown, Peter and Lacy, Scott 2008. Applying Cultural Anthropology. London: Mayfield. Latest ed.  Eriksen, Thomas H., 2010. Small Places, Large Issues: An Introduction. To Social and Cultural Anthropology. London: Pluto Press, Latest ed.  Carrithers, M. 1992. Why Humans have Culture: Explaining Anthropology and Social Diversity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

RECOMMENDED READING American Anthropologist (monthly) Discover Magazine (monthly) National Geographic (monthly)

INDICATIVE MATERIAL: (e.g. audiovisual, digital material, etc.)

REQUIRED MATERIAL: N/A

RECOMMENDED VISUAL MATERIAL: Bitter Melons (Foragers, Enculturation) The Canela of Brazil (Culture) Dream Girls (Gender) Massai Women (Gender, modes of production, rites of passage, marriage) A Poor Man Shames Us All (Economy)

COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS: Verbal skills using academic / professional English.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Word WWW RESOURCES: http://www.aaanet.org/ http://www.tamu.edu/anthropology/news.html http://www.unl.edu/anthro/ http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dan0www/ http://www.aaanet.org/resinet.htm http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dan0www/hotspots.html

INDICATIVE CONTENT: 1. Nature and scope of Cultural Anthropology 1.1 Theoretical background 1.2Methods of study 2. Nature of Culture 2.1 Concepts of Culture 2.2 Aspects of Culture 2.3 Culture and process 2.3.1 Adaptation, function and change 2.4.Language and Communication 3. Survival and making a living 3.1 Culture and personality 3.2 Economic Systems 3.3 Patterns of Subsistence 4. Group formation (social organization) 4.1 Sex and Marriage, descent and the household 4.2 Family and Household 4.3 Kinship and Decent 4.4 Grouping by Gender, Age, Common Interest, and Class 5. Order and Disorder 5.1 Political Organization and Social Control 5.2 Religion and magic 5.3 The Arts 6. Theories of Cultural Change 6.1Cultural Change 6.2 Solving Problems and Adaptability 6.3 Fluidity and Dynamics 7. Critical Evaluation 7.1 Feminist Critique 7.2 Post Colonial Critique