Anthropology of the Andes and the Amazon

ANTHROPOLOGY OF THE ANDES AND THE AMAZON (ANT 375S)
 

I. LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION:
This course will be taught in Spanish

III. CONTACT HOURS:
The course will consist of 45 teaching hours

IV. GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Anthropology constitutes the foundation for a holistic understanding of all human phenomena across the globe. It takes human diversity and difference in comparative perspective and makes room for historical contingency and variation in life conditions. This course covers a wide range of topics dealing with the development of human civilizations in the Andes and the Amazon. The aim is to make sense of how and why the native peoples who have inhabited these territories across time have come up with a diverse set of responses, called cultures, to adapt to and deal with the challenges posed by the environment, as well as by the social milieu in which they have lived and continue to live in a constantly changing world.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Introduce the students to the anthropology of the Andes and the Amazon.
- Explore the conditions under which the cultures of the Andes and the Amazon have historically evolved and adapted to different contact situations.
- Provide the students with analytical tools to critically assess the contents of the course.
- Spread an interest in this class and engage the students in its dynamics.

VI. REQUIRED READINGS:
All reading materials will be distributed electronically in Cuzco. No books are required for this class.

*SAMPLE* COURSE CALENDAR:
1 
Introduction to anthropology.
The Andes and the Amazon: ecology and ethnohistory; contacts between both cultural areas.
The Huarochiri manuscript.

2 
European contact and colonialism.
Myth and history.
Orality vs literacy.
Graphic pluralism.

3 
Social organization and kinship systems.

4 
Religion, rituality, and cosmology.

5 
Economy, labor, subsistence practices, material culture.

6
Extra-academic activity.

7 
Gender relations.

8 
Textiles, designs, and body painting.

9 
Indigenous peoples and globalization: political agency and the politics of indigeneity.

10-11 
Indigenous peoples, tourism, development, and social change: the tradition vs modernity debate.
Representation and authenticity in tourist performances.

12 
Final presentations.

13 
Final presentations and final exam.

VIII. EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Attendance and assignments 20%
Final paper and presentation 40%
Final exam 40%

IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance requirements for this class follow the ISA-Cusco Handbook.

X. FINAL PAPER AND PRESENTATION:
For the final paper the student will choose a class-related topic of their interest, in consultation with the instructor. On week four the student must turn in a proposed topic and a list of references. The papers should not exceed twelve (12) pages or be shorter than ten (10) pages, excluding references, images or tables. They should be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced. Late papers will not be accepted except in cases of unforeseeable emergencies. The final presentation will be based on the student’s final paper and will be focused on the analysis of his/her research. Students may use Power-point or any other media approved by the professor. Presentations will not exceed 15 minutes and will not be shorter than 10 minutes.

XI. EXAM:
The final exam will be administered during class time on the date noted in the class schedule. The exam will review the entire course and will be graded out of 100%. Rescheduling of exams will not be accepted except in cases of documented unforeseeable emergencies. Traveling and fieldwork do not qualify as such, so, please, plan accordingly.

XII. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
Plagiarism is an unquestionable violation of the academic integrity that every college student should be committed to. Papers that present clear evidence of plagiarism will automatically earn and “F”, and in most cases will represent a final failing grade.