AN100 Course Outline F-20-print PDF

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CULTURES TODAY: AN100 SECTIONS: A & B ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAM WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY FALL 2020 Instructor: Victor Gulewitsch Email: [email protected] (please do not write me using the email tool within MLS, please use your regular @mylaurier account) Office: DAWB (Alvin Woods): 2-129 (virtual office hours for F-20 term) Office Hours: Zoom meetings by appointment that may be requested by email. Class Time: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: A=10:30-11:20 B=11:30-12:20 these times are important even though we will not meet in a classroom, some important class activities will take place during these times. Class Room: Temporarily Suspended- Weekly Zoom lectures and other activities will replace class activity. Calendar Description This course is an introduction to the study of world cultures, focusing on the exploration of ethnographic case studies and the development of inter-cultural understanding through a problem-based approach, including participation in the Community Action Project developed by the Center for a Public Anthropology. Course Description This course opens students to the ways people go about the task of being human, relating to one another and to the world around them. It explores the rich cultural diversity of the world’s peoples and outlines the broad range of cultural possibilities that emerge from each society’s efforts to structure their worlds, conduct business, organize families, practice spirituality, settle legal disputes, resist exploitation, and generally facilitate survival in different environments. Ethnography is a unique anthropological undertaking that involves both the development of on-the-ground familiarity with culturally diverse realities, and the writing of analytical descriptions that enable us to understand the world from another culture’s point-of-view. The reading material for the course is a problem-based text called Sociocultural Anthropology by Robbins et al. and a custom reader by Pearson publishing comprising short ethnographic accounts on a variety of topics from around the world. The course material introduces students to issues of current anthropological significance in addition to enhancing knowledge on the acquisition of cross-cultural knowledge through the methods of ethnographic fieldwork and analysis of field data. Covid-19 Changes Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19 many aspects of this course will go differently than in a normal in class semester. The course will proceed with a combination of activities which the students can work through on their own as they are scheduled, some synchronous or live Zoom meetings when we need to meet in real time for class discussions etc., and some recorded video Zoom lectures to accompany the weekly readings and topics. I will also make an effort to provide students with access to relevant websites and videos to enhance their learning experience. Because of this situation it is important that students have access to a computer or compatible device with a WebCam. All 1

assignments, with the exception of the Public Anthropology assignment, will be handed in to labelled drop boxes to be found under the Dropbox tab in MLS on the due date by 11:59 PM. Please check the News section of the MLS home page before class on each class day for further weekly instructions. The regular class days and times are important to observe and will still be relevant despite that we are not physically meeting. Course Objectives The objectives of the course are to (1) emphasize the underlying unity of humankind (2) help appreciate the differences and similarities in the cultures of humankind (3) promote cross-cultural understanding and (4) assist students with how to use this knowledge in the understanding of contemporary social issues. A variety of short writing assignments have been designed in keeping with the course objectives (above) and outcomes (below) and to promote and build individual critical thinking and writing skills. Students will participate in an international Public Anthropology project about attitudes around climate change. Students will also write two reflection papers on questions that emerge from course readings and lectures. Group discussions will be held on Wednesdays and will provide students with a forum for exchanging ideas with their peers as they participate in focused group exercises. Students will be encouraged to apply their anthropological knowledge to local and global issues of anthropological significance. The skills learned through these assignments and projects will assist in developing intercultural understanding in addition to promoting transferable, practical experiences that translate into flexible skill sets needed in today’s world. Students majoring in any subject or working in any field should benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired through this course. Learning Outcomes This course introduces students to the anthropological perspective in addition to key anthropological skills, namely, the ability to: 1. Demonstrate a holistic understanding of societal and cultural processes. 2. Employ a cross-cultural approach to understanding social, political, economic and religious issues 3. Situate past and present cultural phenomena both at the local and global levels. 4. Acquire analytical, critical thinking and writing skills useful for the future. The skills developed would enable students to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Advocate for cultural diversity and the value of Indigenous knowledge. Identify and explain the role of power, race and social inequities in shaping people’s lives. Design and develop verbally persuasive arguments and express them in written form. Demonstrate self-awareness and appropriate interpersonal skills in cross-cultural settings. Assess, prioritize, and strategically apply anthropological skills and knowledge in diverse life situations.

Course Organization Twelve issues or themes have been selected reflecting current interests and concerns within anthropology. The selected issues and themes are organized around the course text book and selected

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readings compiled by Pearson publishers into an AN100 custom reader. While the lectures will engage with the material from the text and the reader, they will not be delivered as a summary of the readings. Lectures will go beyond the course material to engage with relevant issues of contemporary significance. The lectures will include material outside the readings such as important concepts and background material related to the weekly themes. Full lecture notes or slides will not be posted online. You can find a weekly lecture outline and important concepts, terms and ideas (including some prominent anthropologists) on MLS under “CONTENT/LECTURE INFORMATION” for each week as the term progresses. Student participation is essential with three Wednesdays of the term being devoted to group discussions and exercises on specific questions emerging from course material. Guest speaker events may also be held on some other class days. The grade for participation will be assigned based on attendance, participation and written contributions from the three discussion Wednesdays. There are no additional assignments to substitute for missed discussions. Students can gain some additional marks by taking/sending a draft of their written work to the writing centre for help, advice and bonus marks. More information on the assignments is published here and is also posted on MyLs in more detail under CONTENT/ASSIGNMENTS & TESTS/DISCUSSIONS. Road Map or Course Outline: Please pay close attention to this course outline which is your Road Map that will help you navigate your way through the course including material to be read each week, assignment information, weekly topics, deadlines for assignments and projects, information on class discussions etc. Keep a hard copy of the outline with you for easy reference. Most of what you need to know about the course is in the course outline. This includes university rules and regulations and class rules and etiquette. MLS is also an important resource which contains more information of many of the things mentioned in this course outline. Required Books: Available at the WLU bookstore. (Available as digital resources, see message from admin below) 1-Text: by Richard Robbins, Maggie Cummins and Karen McGarry. 2017. Sociocultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach (3rd Canadian edition), Nelson Canada. This should be available through the bookstores digital textbook access program in electronic form. 2-Custom Pearson AN100 Reader: based on selections from the collection of readings edited by James P. Spradley, David W. McCurdy, and Dianna Shandy, 2016. Readings from Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology (Fifteenth Edition). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education. Paper copies are available through the bookstore or for a direct digital copy follow the directions below. Custom AN100 Reader Ebook Direct Purchase Option If you would like to purchase a digital copy of the custom Pearson Reader for AN 100 “ Cultures Today” for $19.50 you can get instant access online following the link below: Step 1: Go to: https://console.pearsoned.com/enrollment/ufbxlx Step 2: Click “Buy Access for $19.50” Step 3: Sign in if you have used a Pearson product before OR Create a new account Step 4: Purchase access using a credit card or paypal account From now on, you can log in from http://console.pearson.com

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All of the course readings are from the Sociocultural Anthropology text by Robbins, Cummings and McGarry and from the custom AN100 Reader from Pearson. There are no other substitutes for these two texts. Copies of both books can be borrowed from the library reserve desk on short term loan. (Message from the Bookstore) ACCESSING MyLearningSpace and Digital Resources Any questions about WLU bookstore digital resource access can be emailed to: [email protected] 1. How do I log into MyLearningSpace (MyLS)? a. Login to MyLS at https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca. This takes you to a single sign on page for MyLS where you can enter your credentials, which are the same as those used for wifi and (your Laurier) email. b. Information for Laurier students is available here: https://students.wlu.ca/services-and-spaces/tech-services/accounts-and-passwords.html. c. Once logged in then scroll down to My Courses d. Select the correct tile for your Course e. Scroll to Content browser for DTA resources & the e-reader platform f. Please ensure you read the instructions thoroughly and do not pay for access to the resources online through the Publisher website as your Laurier student account will be charged. g. If your course is using an e-text resource that utilizes the Vitalsource Bookshelf e-reader please ensure you download the e-reader to your device(s) – up to 4. You will realize all the features of the e-reader (notes, highlighting, text to speech etc) and be able to access your resources offline anywhere, anytime! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS Paying for and opting out of Digital Textbook Access, i.e. Pearson 1. Billing for DTA resources a. The charges for the DTA resources will be billed to your LORIS Account after the opt out deadline b. The charges show up as a line item with the code DBK and the charge for the resources (including HST) c. The charges typically appear on your Laurier account approximately 4 weeks after the start of the term and an invoice payment deadline is included. d. You can pay your invoice as follows; i. Online Banking – set up as a bill payment and ensure you use your Laurier Student ID # as the Account # when setting up the payee online ii. Service Laurier – you can pay your invoice at the Service Laurier office using debit card. (Please note: Service Laurier does not accept cash, credit card or cheque) e. If your invoice is not paid by the deadline and there are outstanding charges on your account there will be a HOLD applied to your account and your grades will not be released until the charges are paid. 2. Digital Textbook Access – Opting out a. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR @mylaurier.ca email regularly during the first 2-3 weeks of your course. i. You will be sent a Welcome email outlining how the Digital Textbook Access program works approximately 1 week prior to the start of classes ii. One week prior to the opt out deadline you will be sent the first communication about how to opt out if you do not want to continue using the DTA resources or you have secured the resources elsewhere. iii. One day prior to the opt out deadline you will receive another communication regarding the opt out process and deadlines. iv. The communications have an opt out link embedded in the email so it is as simple as clicking on this link and selecting the OPT OUT option. IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU DID NOT OPT OUT · You have been provided with a temporary license to the digital resources for your course. · If you chose to remain opted in to the DTA program you will have to access your materials through your course in MYLearningSpace after the opt out period. 4

· Clicking on the link in your course will convert your license for the digital resources from temporary to permanent. · This step can be completed on or after September 29, 2020 Should any of your students identify that they are having issues accessing the resources after Sept. 29th, you can direct them to follow this process and the issues should be resolved. 3. If you have questions about this process please email [email protected] and we will respond promptly. Zoom Lectures I am rather unhappy that we will not meet in person this term but I will make every effort to provide some video lecture content which I will pre-record so you may view it at your own convenience. It would be best to keep up your viewing of the lectures to correspond with the weekly assigned chapter material. Click on the Zoom Meetings tab at the top of your MLS page to find any Zoom recordings or other scheduled live Zoom meetings that may take place from time to time. I ask for your patience over the term as this technological shift is something new to me going forward. AN100 A&B READING SCHEDULE (weekly readings & assignments) Week One: September 10-18: Introduction-Anthropology Matters-Applying Anthropology Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry: Chapter 1- Pg. 3-9 & 26-33 Pearson Reader: David McCurdy: Using Anthropology: Pearson: Reading 1 Week Two: September 21-25: Culture Matters: Culture and Meaning Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 1- Pg. 9-26 Pearson Reader: Richard Lee: Eating Christmas in the Kalahari: Pearson: Reading 2 Week Three: September 28-October 2: Doing Field Work-Anthropological Research Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 2 Pearson Reader: George Gmelch: Nice Girls Don’t talk to Rastas: Pearson: Reading 3 Week Four: October 5-9 The Meaning of Progress and Development Discussion Wednesday #1 on Cultural Differences is October 7 Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 3 Pearson Reader: Nathan Williamson: Illegal Logging and Forest Conservation: Pearson: Reading 4 FALL READING WEEK: October 12–18: no classes this week, stay home, get some work done, and get caught up for the rest of the term. Week Five: October 19-23: Constructing Realities- Religion & Worldview Note: The Online Mid-Term Test found under Quizzes is Next Week: Wednesday, on October 28, take it over any 2 hr. period from 9am – 10 pm. see MLS content/assignments for prep and more details. Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 4 Pearson Reader: George Gmelch: Baseball Magic: Pearson: Reading 5 Body Ritual among the Nacirama: Pearson: Reading 6 5

Week Six: October 26-30- (no text or reader articles this week) Online Mid-Term Test found under Quizzes: Wednesday October 28 from 9am – 10 pm see MLS content/assignments for prep and more details. Monday October 26 the ACTION PERIOD for your PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY LETTER BEGINS (also referred to as the Community Action Project, hosted by the University of the Pacific, Hawaii in Honolulu. Make sure you are now registered; this involves paying a $15USD by credit card directly to Public Anthropology. Those that do not have a credit card can perhaps have a parent, guardian or friend charge it to their card and then reimburse them. This requirement is part of the course and is mentioned in the calendar, course outline and other materials. Deadlines: Your letter submissions are due to the Public Anthropology website: Friday, October 30 @11:59 pm. The following week you will evaluate other people’s papers and these peer evaluations will be due on Friday, November 6 @11:59 pm. There is an optional/extra short letter that you can write for 2 additional bonus marks which is due on Wednesday, November 11@11:59 pm. (Completely optional). Students will begin reading the material for their essay on climate change on the website and begin writing their letter for submission to the Public Anthropology website. Dr. James Southworth from the Writing Centre will present a very helpful advice workshop using Zoom early this week. You can find more information in this outline and on the Public Anthropology website after you register for the project. Look for information on MyLs as well. Participation is important to your success in the course. Please talk to me if you have circumstances that make it impossible for you to pay the fee and register. Week Seven: November 2-6 Constructing Families & Social Relationships ACTION PERIOD for PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY PAPER CONTINUES: Submission of completed peer evaluations are due on November 6. The optional extra bonus points letter worth 2 marks is due next week on November 11 (Optional assignment). Wednesday November 4 is Discussion #2 on the Importance of Worldview. Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 5 Pearson Reader: Melvyn Goldstein: Polyandry: When Brothers Take a Wife: Pearson: Reading 7 Week Eight: November 9-13 Constructing Identities Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 6 Pearson Reader:Mikaela Rogozen-Soltar: Becoming Muslim in Europe: Pearson: Reading 8 Week Nine: November 16-20: Globalization, Neoliberalism and the Nation–State Reflection Paper #2 on Managing Identities is due to the DROPBOX in MLS on Friday, November 20 by 11:59 pm. Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 8 Pearson Reader: How Sushi Went Global: Pearson: Reading 11 Week Ten: November 23-27: Social Hierarchies: Race, Caste & Class Wednesday November 25 is discussion Wednesday #3 on Globalization Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 7, Pg. 187-200 Pearson Reader: Philippe Bourgois: Poverty at Work: Office Employment and the Crack Alternative: Reading 9 Week Eleven: November 30-December 4: Social Hierarchies: Sex and Gender Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 7, Pg. 200-219 Pearson Reader: Jessica Smith Rolston: Women in the Mine: Pearson: Reading 10 6

Week Twelve: December 7-9: Resolving Conflict Required Readings: Robbins, Cummings & McGarry, Chapter 9 Pearson Reader: Anne Sutherland: Cross-Cultural Law: The Case of an American Gypsy: Pearson: Reading 12 Study and Reading Guide:  Identify the main theme, author’s argument, evidence for arguments and conclusions in each ethnographic selection in the Pearson custom reader. Think about what you learned, the insights gleaned from the reading and any questions it raises. Think about how culture in the example may determine peoples beliefs and behaviour.  With regard to the Sociocultural Anthropology text, identify the important terms, concepts and ideas in each chapter, (key terms are highlighted in each chapter) take note of the anthropologists/social scientists that are mentioned, learn the definitions provided and summarize in your mind, the contents under each sub-heading in the text.  As indicated in the Sociocultural Anthropology text, each chapter is organized around one main question and several sub questions, exercises and critical thinking questions. Think about how these questions may be relevant in other cross-cultural examples.  The lectures will complement the material from the texts but will not go over every item and detail. It is your responsibility to id...