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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC 221"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Cultural Anthropology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jenn Lindsay
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30-5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to the analysis and interpretation of cultures in a comparative perspective. The main topics of the course include the temporal and spatial forms of society; the social organization of symbols; the family as a symbolic structure; religion, sacrifice and myth; the anthropology of the city; the interplay between nature and culture, gender and sexuality in different cultures; the concepts of ethnicity; and regional, religious and linguistic subcultures.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Cultural anthropology is the study of living people and the variations among them. It explores fundamental questions about what it means to be human. How do people create, negotiate, structure and make sense of their own social worlds vis-à-vis the worlds of others?Anthropologists may glean insights about various cultures through comparing them; others commit to understanding particular cultures in those cultures' own terms, often through conducting immersive, longterm ethnographic fieldwork. 

 

The purpose of this class is to increase your familiarity and comfort with concepts of cultural analysis, and to show how these notions can increase awareness and understanding of others’, as well as your own life experiences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • describe, explain and apply anthropological concepts and approaches to the study of both culture and society
  • exemplify main anthropological concepts and methods such as fieldwork, participant observation and ethnography
  • reflect in a theoretically and informed way on the notion of culture and human nature
  • discuss anthropology's role in the study of modern and contemporary societies and culture
  • gain a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures around the globe as well as develop the ability to analyze complex relations of power in their own and other societies.
  • reflect on their own cultural assumptions and biases.

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes, Second EditionRobert M. Emerson, Rachel I. Fretz, Linda L. ShawUniversity of Chicago Press978-0226206837     
How to Think Like an AnthropologistMatthew EngelkePrinceton University Press978-0691178783     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Ethnography AssignmentsThis series of ethnographic fieldwork assignments is assigned to help you practice the art of “deep hanging out” which is the cornerstone of cultural anthropology. The assignments range through a variety of ethnographic methods: sensory ethnography, participant observation, visual ethnography, eavesdropping, autoethnography, and structured interviewing. Due 11:59pm on Sundays at the end of Weeks 1/2/4/6/8/10. Each submission should reach a minimum of 500 words in length and be executed according to the instructions for each individual unit. You must integrate at least two assigned course texts for the week the assignment is due, as well as those assigned for the prior week (i.e., use assigned course texts for the two weeks leading up to the assignment due date). Writing quality, precision of typing, grammar and mechanics matter to your instructor. Don’t stress too much about formal academic writing. I prefer you focus mostly on observing, recording, and being able to differentiate observation from emotion/reaction. Please clearly label in the file name and the body of the document your name and the assignment name (i.e. Lindsay_Ethnography1_Field notes of a meal)30
Midterm ExamIn-class exam on course content. 20
Final Ethnographic Field Observation ProjectStudents will conduct an ethnographic observation in a cultural setting of their choice, engaging ethnographic methodologies taught in the course. They must submit a project proposal, and project report, present preliminary observations and analysis, and draw together the final results in a culminating paper to be submitted the final week of the semester. 30
Engagement and ParticipationStudents must come to class ready to participate in the ethnographic practicum and discussions. 10
Final ExamIn-class exam on course content.10

-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
Attendance is mandatory and makes up 10% of your final grade. I will accept a maximum of three absences, after which I will detract 2% of your final grade for each absence. 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.


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

Week 1: Sept 2 and 4: Introduction—What is Anthropology? The History of the Field. Short Ethnographic Practicum in-class. Ethnography Assignment #1 due Sunday night.

 

Week 2: Sept 9 and 11: Methods (ethnography, mindfulness, ethics). Guest speaker Rev. Guglielmo Doryu of Centro Zen Anshin. Ethnography Assignment #2 due Sunday night. 

 

Week 3: Sept 16 and 18: Theoretical Frameworks.

 

Week 4: Sept 23 and 25: Socialization, Symbols and Meaning-Making. Ethnography Assignment #3 due Sunday night.

 

Week 5: Sept 30 and Oct 2: Anthropology of the Mind. In-class presentations on transcultural comparisons. 

 

Week 6: October 7 and 9: Anthropology of Religion. Ethnography Assignment #4 due Sunday night.

 

Week 7: October 14 and 16: Anthropology of Religion field trip (Jewish quarter). Midterm exam in-class. 

 

Week 8: October 21 and 23: Anthropology of Food. Ethnography Assignment #5 due Sunday night.

 

Week 9: October 28 and 30: Anthropology of Gender/Body/ Health/Sex.

 

Week 10: Nov 4 and 6: Anthropology of Social Division. Field trip to Campo de Fiori. Submit fieldwork topic and method proposal.

 

Week 11: November 11 and 13: Anthropology of Social Division. Ethnography Assignment #6 due Sunday night. Field trip to Mercato Esquilino.

 

Week 12: November 18 and 20. NO IN-CLASS MEETINGS. Submit fieldwork topic research summary/update. (visual anthropology/screenings—The Act of Killing and ________ searching for sugarman? 

 

Week 13: November 25 and 27: NO IN-CLASS MEETINGS. (Presentations of in-progress ethnographic fieldwork)

 

Week 14: Dec 2 and 4. Conclusions and Evaluation. Final Exam in-class.

 

Week 15: Ethnographic fieldwork project due.