ANTH&206/Cultural Anthropology
Assignments

 

Self-Introduction Paper 5% Due Tuesday 9/30/08
In-Class Assignments 30% Throughout the quarter
Final Self-Evaluation 5% Due Thursday 12/4/08
Response Papers Research Papers Take-Home Examinations Presentations Other ?
 

 

    

All formal written assignments adhere to the following:

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Class Discussion and Participation: You are expected to read all the assigned material before class meetings, participate in class discussions, and express your opinion and understanding. While reading, try and determine what major ideas or concepts the author is trying to develop. Next, determine what examples, illustrations, or proofs the author uses to reinforce or support the major ideas. Take notes, stop periodically and write down questions on issues or ideas you want clarified. Group discussions are an integral component of this course. Come to class with notes that reflect what it is in the reading that you agree and disagree with most strongly. Additionally, we will watch relevant films and listen to guest-speakers. You are encouraged to cooperate, rather than compete, with your classmates. Your attendance is very important.

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Self-Introduction Paper: (5 points)

Write a short essay (2-3 pages double-space) introducing yourself.  Your paper should have an an outline, introduction, body, and conclusion. Reference your information (in-text and works-cited), use your own words (paraphrase), and avoid quotations.

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In-Class Assignments (30 points): Throughout the quarter you will be asked to write/present  short responses to the course material. Details will be discussed in-class (These assignments are expected to be typed unless they are done during class time).

5) After viewing the Out of the Past: The Collapse, briefly describe how the Population Pressure Model works.
Assignment is due Monday 11/03/08.

4) After viewing Race: The Power of an Illusion #3 ,:
    1) Define Racisim.
    2) Define Whiteness and note its changes over time.
Assignment is Due on Thursday 10/23/08.

3) Fill out the creation story table
    Creation Story Table (HTM)
    Creation Story Table (WORD)
Assignment is due Thursday 10/9/08

2) After watching In Search of Human Origin: The Creative Revolution,
    Define the Creative Revolution.
 Assignment is due on Thursday 10/2/08 (Afternoon class) and Friday 10/3/08 (Morning class)

1) According to our lecture on Monday 9/22/08, what is meant by:
        a) Cartesian Common Sense
        b) Mutual Aid
        c) Voluntary Association
        d) Consensus Decision Making

Assignment (typed) is due Thursday, 9/25/08.

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Response Papers (15 points per paper): 

Response papers help create a "communication network" of reading, listening, viewing, writing and discussing. On the one hand, the writing of response papers is a way in which instructors can witness the natural interaction of thinking, discussion and language-use by students as the academic quarter progresses. On the other hand, writing response papers allows students to connect reading, listening, viewing, discussion and writing.

Although there are different types of response papers, we will focus on two types:

A) Argumentative response papers: After you have completed the readings and viewings, then write a short argumentative paper (4-5 pages, double-spaced) about an issue of interest directly relating to course content. Your paper can be in agreement or in opposition to the course material. Make sure that:

    1. The issue is clearly stated.
    2. your position on the issue is clearly stated and underlined.
    3. You provide supporting evidence including relevant information from the assigned readings, viewings, lectures and discussions. You may include your own experience as well as other sources.
    4. your conclusion is clearly stated.

B) Reflective response papers: After you have completed the readings and viewings, then write a short reflective paper (4-5 pages, double-spaced) about your personal experience(s) in relation to an issues of interest directly relating to the course content. Your paper should situate and explain your personal experience(s) in the larger cultural context (patterns). Make sure that:

    1. The issue is clearly stated.
    2. your objective is clearly stated and underlined.
    3. You provide relevant information from the assigned readings, viewings, lectures and discussions. 
    4. your conclusion is clearly stated.

 

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Research Paper (45 points): This assignment is an expanded (12-15 pages) Argumentative Paper. In addition to the Argumentative Paper requirements, this assignment need to utilize 2-3 external sources. Submit your research paper in 4 phases (a proposal, an outline, a draft, and a final paper) with a minimum of 2 weeks between phases and the final paper is due no later than 11/26/08. 

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Presentation (15 points): This assignment is an oral Argumentative Paper. In addition to the Argumentative Paper requirements, this assignment need to include a written component and utilize 2-3 external sources. Presentations will be delivered on the first first week of December, 2008.  This assignment is accomplished in 4 phases (a proposal, an outline, a draft of the written component, and a final written component and presentation).

 

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Other Projects (maximum 45 points): Check with me regarding the requirements for poetry, video, art, political comics and other projects. All such projects must include a written component and be accomplished in 4 phases (a proposal, an outline, a draft, and a final project).

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Take-home Examinations (30 points): This assignment is an expanded (8-10 pages) Argumentative Paper. It is based on course material without the need for external sources.

Examination #2 (Choose one topic).
  • Define the Matrix of Domination and the Categorization Process (The Creation of the Other). In this context define and discuss Biological Sex, Biological Sex Drive, Social Sex (Gender), Social Sexual Behavior (Sexuality), Manness & Patriarchy (Male Dominance), Hetroness & Taboo Sexuality, and The continuum of Ethnocentrism-to-Genocide, including Individual & Institutional Sexism and Hetrosexism. Give ample specific examples (evidence) from the readings, viewings and lectures.
  • Define and discuss Culture, System, and the components and subcomponents of the Sociocultural system (infrastructure, structure, and superstructure). Discuss the evolutionary types of Modes of Production and Reproduction (Foraging, Pastoralism, Extensive Agriculture, Intensive Agriculture, Industrialism, and Hyperindustrialism). In explaining the origin of Domestication define and discuss the Carrying Capacity, the Point of Diminishing Returns, the population Pressure Model, Critical Resources (Effective control and Access), and Population Curves and Pyramids.
  • Define and discuss Culture, System, and the components and subcomponents of the Sociocultural system (infrastructure, structure, and superstructure). In this context, discuss the evolutionary types of the Domestic Economy (Family, Marriage, and Kinship) articulating : definitions, functions, categories, and types.
  • Define and discuss Culture, System, and the components and subcomponents of the Sociocultural system (infrastructure, structure, and superstructure). In this context, discuss the evolutionary path of Political Economy (Economic and Political Organization from Bands to Nation-States) articulating the effective control and distribution of critical resources, and the manifestation of political and objective powers in each sociocultural system (due to time limitations, this topic may not be possible to write about).
  • Describe the evolutionary path of the Political Economy (Economic and Political Organization from Bands to Nation-States). Discuss, in detail, Capitalism, its definition, circuit, and principles. Power, its types, and its manifestation in Agrarian and Nation States (due to time limitations, this topic may not be possible to write about).

Give specific evidence from the readings (Harris Pages 169-396 and King pages 31-89, Web Links, Conceptualizing Race, Gender, & Class), Viewings (Race: The Power of an Illusion #3 transcripts, A Girl Like Me, Killing Us Softly3,  Dangerous Living, Faces of Culture: Transcripts: Foraging & Pastoralism  and Faces of Culture: Transcripts (Food Producers, Faces of Culture: Sex and Marriage, Trading Democracy: Transcripts, Zoned for Slavery, The Ad and the Ego, the Corporation, Freeloaders, Political Economy), and lectures.

Examination #1:

1) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the Killer Ape Hypothesis. Due 1/24/08 in class.

2) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the Out of Africa and Multi Regional theories. Due 1/24/08 in class.

3) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff (the Creative Revolution). Due 1/24/08 in class.

4) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar. Discuss the implications of Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar  including the Freedom of Expression, Proper English, Black English, Primitive Languages, and morality). Due 1/31/08 in class.

5) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Define and discuss the notion of Semantic Universality and its components. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar and its implication for the debate on Proper English and Black English (Ebonics). Due 1/31/08 in class.

6) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Define and discuss the notion of Semantic Universality and its components. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar and its implication for the issue of Free-Will and the Freedom of Expression. Due 1/31/08 in class.

Give ample supporting evidence (examples) by synthesizing information from the readings (Harris Pages 1-99) and The Truth About Stories, film (In Search of Human Origin: Out of Africa, On Becoming Human, Cracking the Genetic Code (Film Online), Acquiring the Human Language (Link), Universal Grammar (Video Clips)), and Lectures. Assignment is due on Thursday 1/24/08 in class.
 

 

 

Examination #1:

In an essay format (See Writing Template), write a 8-10 page argumentative paper dealing with one of the following:

1) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the Killer Ape Hypothesis.

2) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the Out of Africa and Multi Regional theories.

3) Define and discuss the notions of Evolution, Adaptation, Forces creating Genetic Variations, and Natural Selection. Describe the human lineage from Ausralopithecus afarensis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Provide scientific evidence including species  names, locations, tools, and significance. In this context, discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff (the Creative Revolution).

4) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar. Discuss the implications of Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar  including the Freedom of Expression, Proper English, Black English, Primitive Languages, and morality).

5) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Define and discuss the notion of Semantic Universality and its components. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar and its implication for the debate on Proper English and Black English (Ebonics).

6) Define and discuss the notion of Linguistic/Cultural Takeoff. Define and discuss the notion of Semantic Universality and its components. Articulate and discuss the five steps of Noam Chomsky's Model of Universal Grammar and its implication for the issue of Free-Will and the Freedom of Expression.

Give ample supporting evidence (examples) by synthesizing information from the readings (Harris Pages 1-99) and The Truth About Stories, film (In Search of Human Origin: The Creative Revolution, On Becoming Human, Cracking the Genetic Code (Film Online), Acquiring the Human Language (Link), Universal Grammar (Video Clips)), and Lectures.
 


 

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Final Self-Evaluation (5 points)

Focusing on your performance in this course, write a two-page Argumentative Paper that includes the following:

1.     What worked for you in this course? What did not work as well? What suggestions do you have?

2. What percentage of the readings did you finish? What percentage of the class did you miss? How do you rate your participation?

3.     Calculate your accumulated points using the following table. Make sure to include all graded assignments.

Self-Introduction Paper (5) Your Score           X     5                               = # Points
    100
In Class Assignments    (30) Your total Score    X     30                               = # Points
    ###
Final Self Evaluation      (5)                                                                          = 5 Points
   
   
   
   
Total (100)  Add Your Points

It should be noted that your self-evaluation does not constitute your final grade. It is intended to assist me in assigning you a fair grade as well as providing you with the opportunity to express your perception of your performance and accomplishment.

 Points

GPA

Letter Grade

Points

GPA

Letter Grade

100-98

4.0

A

75

2.0

C

97-96

3.9

A

74

1.9

C

95

3.8

A

73

1.8

C

94-93

3.7

A-

72

1.7

C-

92-91

3.6

A-

71

1.6

C-

90

3.5

A-

70

1.5

C-

89

3.4

B+

69

1.4

D+

88

3.3

B+

68

1.3

D+

87

3.2

B+

67

1.2

D+

86

3.1

B

66

1.1

D

85

3.0

B

65

1.0

D

84

2.9

B

64

0.9

D

83

2.8

B

63

0.8

D

82

2.7

B-

62

0.7

D-

81

2.6

B-

      

80

2.5

B-

      

79

2.4

C+

     

78

2.3

C+

     

77

2.2

C+

     

76

2.1

C

     

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