Welcome! Introduction to Cultural Anthropology is a course designed to expose students to nonwestern cultures, to compare other societies to western cultures, and to expand their knowledge of the world. By studying things like art, religion, kinship, food production, marriage patterns, and so on, students come to understand the social science of anthropology through the observations of everyday behaviors.
Instructor: Maia Greenwell-Cunningham
Office Hours: Mondays 7:30-8:00 and 11:30-12:30 Wednesdays 11:30-12:30
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00-11:30 AM
Or by appointment
Virtual Office Hours: By appointment using MSN instant messenger user name mgcanthropology - Please email me to set up appointments.
Office Phone/Voice Mail: (626) 852-8086
E-mail Address: mcunningham@citruscollege.edu
Mailing Address:
Maia Greenwell-Cunningham
Citrus College Behavioral Sciences Department
1000 West Foothill Boulevard
Glendora, California 91741-1899
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology is a course designed to expose students to nonwestern cultures to expand their knowledge of the world.
By studying things like art, religion, kinship, food production, marriage patterns and so on, students come to understand the social science of anthropology through the observations of everyday behaviors.
COURSE GOALS
By the end of the semester students will have an understanding of cultural anthropology and be able to comfortably use anthropological terms, and to have a solid foundation on which to base further education. Students will have a firm grasp of what it means to take a distance education course and can inform other students of its benefits and challenges.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
There are two books and a website myanthrolab all are required!!
The first book is a chapter text by Bonvillain called Cultural Anthropology. The second book is a reader with articles from different authors that I put together in an edited book. Myanthrolab is the book's website with support and supplemental materials it comes free with the books.
You have one of two ways to purchase the book bundles. If you have access to the books from a former student you can use those but you will not have access to the supplemental book website. If you do not purchase the books you may have to use the internet on your own to find some materials. I made the bundles for you all to make them as cheap as possible. If you have any questions talk to me before you purchase.
TRADITIONAL HARD COPY BOOK WAY
You can purchase a hard copy traditional books in a bundle from the Owl Bookshop it will be in what is called an ala cart version which means loose papers wihtin a binder. The code for myanthrolab comes free with this set. Please understand that you CANNOT sell this book back to the bookstore. It is the cheapest way to get it to you but because it is not bound the bookstore will not take it back. You can sell it personally to future students.
To log onto the supplemental support website myanthrolab go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Cultural Anthropology and then "register" The code that came in your book is what you need to register. It will ask you to create a log on and password make sure you keep that you will need it throughout the semester.
Once you are registered anytime you need to go to the website go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Cultural Anthropology and then logon
This website is the same as when you purchase online versions withOUT the text and you will need it for assignments.
OR
ONLINE BOOK WAY I mean you read the book online but you can print it out and there are really neat things like highlighting and note taking properties if that worries you. You also have the choice of reading the book OR it will read to you!! Yes it has audio files and they are working on getting them to download to your ipod etc.
I have what is called a 'portal site' for my three online classes. This is where you will purchase your book as well as log on for your textbook and the related materials.
Go to: http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/
Click on Intro to Cultural Anthropology
Click on "purchase" and follow the steps
When it is time for you to read or do a homework assignment you follow the same steps go to http://www.pearsoncustom.com/ca/citrus_anthro/ and click on Intro to Cultural Anthropology then click on "log in"
The main chapter book is the top left button on the page, the article reader book is at the bottom left and called "ebook reader"
If you have ANY questions whatsoever do NOT purchase anything until you talk to me! :)
Technical Needs:
- Reliable Internet Access
- Working email address
- Ability to send and receive attachments in MICROSOFT WORD SAVED AS A .DOC FILE, MICROSOFT WORKS SAVED AS AN .RTF FILE, or ADOBE SAVED AS A .PDF ONLY.
- Please note that yahoo does NOT WORK with our servers. About 90% of the time if a student sends me their homework as an attachment it will not go through with yahoo so you are going to want to use either your citrus email or another email other than yahoo.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Students will email the professor at the beginning of the first week to note presence in the class and email address
- Students will turn in eight weekly discussion questions pertaining to readings and related web sites. See the discussion questions link for details
- Students will write four, short papers based on article readings available in the custom reader. See the short paper guidelines link for details
- Students will wite a five-seven page culture sketch paper which is the equivilent of a final exam
- Students will participate in class discussion based on readings, discussion questions, related web sites, and personal observations. See student interaction link for details. Class interaction is crucial to success, without full interaction points it is impossible to receive an A in the class no matter how well you do on other assignments. Make sure to contact the professor with any questions regarding the message boards .
- Students will check the "announcements from the prof" conference on the message boards frequently to check for changes and updates
- Students will keep a copy of all e-mail sent to the professor in case of computer problems. It is the students' responsibility to make sure the professor receives all work. Homework will not be returned. The professor will respond to all homework with a "received" reply. If the student does not get a "received" reply the professor did not get the materials. It is the student’s responsibility to save the "received" reply emails in case of confusion.
- Any student caught cheating will automatically fail the class and will be recommended for student discipline, no exceptions
- Students will follow the rules of conduct as outlined in the Citrus Student Handbook
- Students will immediately report all e-mail/computer problems to the professor and it is the students responsibility to complete the course even in the face of computer failure
ON-CAMPUS MEETING SCHEDULE
There are no required meetings on campus. You are of course welcome to visit me during office hours or make an appointment, but on campus visits are not required. Please note if you wish to use the free textbooks you must come to the campus library.
GRADING AND ASSESSMENT
Grades are based on:
- Culture Sketch paper 100 points
- Four short papers based on ebook readings and discussion questions - 25 points each -- 100 points total
- Eight sets of Discussion questions 20 points each -- 160 points total
- Participation points: 100 points total
460 points possible for the course. Divide the total points earned by the total points possible to receive a percentage. Please note that interaction is crucial to your total grade. If you do not complete your required 100 points of interaction regardless of how well you do on all other assignments you cannot earn an A.
Students often ignore this and then get very angry with me at the end of the semester when their grade is much lower than they expect. I am very serious and I am giving you fair warning INTERACTION IS MANDATORY AND IF YOU DO NOT DO IT YOU CANNOT PASS THE CLASS YES I'M SERIOUS (but don't panic its easy).
Grades are based on standard below:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Below 60% = F