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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "ANTHR 299"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Anthropology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Eduardo Zachary Albrecht
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 1:30 PM 3:20 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the spectrum of ways that culture impacts global social and political dynamics. Utilizing an anthropological methodological framework, students will study the effects of cultural difference – and human social and biological development – on global phenomena as human rights law, armed conflict, economic inequality, international cooperation, and diplomacy. The field of anthropology encompasses the analysis of power, economic relations, and legal structures, but also symbolic, gendered, familial, spiritual, and ideological dimensions, that combined can be a powerful aid for understanding topics of current global affairs. The goal of the course is threefold: 1) to instill a sense of appreciation for cultural diversity, 2) to impart an understanding of how anthropological methods may be applied to the study of politics and international relations, and 3) to give students an introductory review of the major ideological frameworks that have shaped thought processes regarding relations between peoples, their politics, and the community of nations.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course examines the spectrum of ways that culture impacts global social and political dynamics.  Utilizing an anthropological methodological framework, students will study the effects of cultural difference – and human social and biological development – on global phenomena as human rights law, armed conflict, economic inequality, international cooperation, and diplomacy. The field of anthropology encompasses the analysis of power, economic relations, and legal structures, but also symbolic, gendered, familial, spiritual, and ideological dimensions, that combined can be a powerful aid for understanding topics of current global affairs. The goal of the course is threefold: 1) to instill a sense of appreciation for cultural diversity, 2) to impart an understanding of how anthropological methods may be applied to the study of politics and international relations, and 3) to give students an introductory review of the major ideological frameworks that have shaped thought processes regarding relations between peoples, their politics, and the community of nations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

The course is designed to meet the following Learning Outcomes (LO):

 

LO1: Analyze & understand cultural difference

1. Students will better understand the development and geographic, cultural, and linguistic diversification of the human race.

2. Students will better understand and appreciate cultural orientations other than their own.

 

LO2: Identify methods of anthropological inquiry

1. Students will be able to identify the main methodological tools of anthropological analysis of global politics.

2. Students will be able to identify a range of cultural aspects influencing relations among people of varied backgrounds, and among nations.

 

LO3: Demonstrate knowledge of ideological frameworks

1. Students will demonstrate ability to recognize a variety of ideological frames and theories, their influences on political processes, and their role in specific case studies.

2. Students will demonstrate ability to use creative approaches for bridging differences between diverse ideological perspectives.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Cultural Anthropology: Appreciating Cultural Diversity, 19th Ed.Conrad Kottak ..     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance  25%
Presentation Assignments  25%
Midterm Exam  25%
Final Exam  25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Class 1:

INTRODUCTIONS

Review of the syllabus

Review of the textbook and readers

 

Class 2:

WHAT IS ANTHROPOLOGY AND HOW CAN IT BE USED TO UNDERSTAND GLOBAL POLITICS?

Textbook Chapter 1 What is Anthropology

Reader 1 Chapter 3 Cultural Relativism and Universal Human Rights, Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban

 

Class 3:

WHAT IS CULTURE AND HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE OUR WORLD VIEWS?

Textbook Chapter 2 Culture

Reader 1 Chapter 4 Eating Christmas in the Kalahari, Richard Borshay Lee

 

Class 4:

THE WORLD SYSTEM, COLONIALISM, AND INEQUALITY

Textbook Chapter 14 The World System

Reader 1 Chapter 12 The Silk Road: The Making of a Global Cultural Economy, Richard Kurin

 

Class 5:

ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY AND UNDERSTANDING GLOBALIZATION

Textbook Chapter 7 Making a Living

Reader 1 Chapter 13 The Globalization of a Brazilian Fishing Community, Conrad Kottak

 

Class 6:

POLITICAL ANTHROPOLOGY – PERSPECTIVES ON POWER

Textbook Chapter 8 Political Systems

Reader 1 Chapter 14 A Tribal Chair's Perspective on Inherent Sovereignty, Billy Evans Horse

 

Class 7:

HOW CULTURE SHAPES IDEAS OF RACE, ETHNICITY, AND POWER

Textbook Chapter 6 Ethnicity and Race

Reader 1 Chapter 17 Inventing Hispanics: A Minority Resists Being Labeled, Amitai Etzioni

 

Class 8:

HOW CULTURE SHAPES IDEAS OF GENDER, FAMILY, AND BELONGING PART I

Textbook Chapter 9 Gender

Reader 1 Chapter 19 "Ladies" Behind Bars: A Liminal Gender as Cultural Mirror, John Coggeshall

 

Class 9:

HOW CULTURE SHAPES IDEAS OF GENDER, FAMILY, AND BELONGING PART II

Textbook Chapter 10 Families, Kinship, and Descent

Reader 1 Chapter 23 Gay Marriage and Anthropology, Linda Stone

 

Class 10:

THE SACRED AND THE POLITICAL

Textbook Chapter 12 Religion

Reader 1 Chapter 26 The Sacred Pipe in Modern Life, Arval Looking Horse

 

Class 11:

ANTHROPOLOGY’S ROLE IN A GLOBALIZING, AND INCREASINGLY VIRTUAL, WORLD

Textbook Chapter 15 Globalizing World

Reader 1 Chapter 31 Virtual Worlds and Futures of Anthropology, Tom Boellstorff

 

Class 12:

USING ANTHROPOLOGIAL METHODS TO UNDERSTAND TO WORLD

Textbook Chapter 4 Applying Anthropology

Reader 1 Chapter 29 Reflections on Collaboration, Ethnographic and Applied, James Peacock

 

Class 13:

Midterm Exam Review

Practice exam and extra credit game exercise

Class 14:

Midterm exam

 

Class 15:

FROM CULTURE TO CONVICTION, OR IDEAS TO IDEOLOGIES – PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Reader 2 Chapter 1 Political Ideologies and Chapter 12 Ideology Without End?

 

Class 16:

CASE STUDY 1: THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF LANGUAGE, CULTURE, AND VIOLENCE IN KENYA

Reader 2 Chapter 11 Islamism

Article Reading “The Relationship Between Influential Actors’ Language and Violence: A Kenyan Case Study Using Artificial Intelligence”

 

Class 17:

CASE STUDY 2: POLITICAL MOVEMENTS, LIFESTYLES, AND THE STATE IN SOUTHERN EUROPE

Reader 2 Chapter 4 Socialism and Chapter 5 Anarchism

Article Reading “The Case of a Social Movement that Does Not Move: Alter-globalization in Southern Europe”

 

Class 18:

CASE STUDY 3: BIOLOGY, AESTHETICS, AND MODERNITY IN SOUTH KOREA

Reader 2 Chapter 2 Liberalism and Chapter 6 Nationalism

Article Reading “Embodying Progress: Aesthetic Surgery and Socioeconomic Change in South Korea”

 

Class 19:

Final Exam Review

Practice exam and extra credit game exercise

 

Class 20:

Final Exam