cultural anthropology_syllabus (1)
DESCRIPTION
culturalTRANSCRIPT
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Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Instructor: Kyung Hyo Chun [email protected]
Course Description
This is an introductory course to cultural anthropology. We will explore various socio-cultural aspects of contemporary society such as social relations, pop culture, gender issues, identity politics, globalization, and transnationalism through anthropological perspectives. A comparative perspective will be employed to explore the commonalities as well as distinctiveness between different cultures and societies.
Course Requirements & Grading
20% Attendance & Class Participation 20% Weekly Response Papers/Reading Notes 30% Midterm Exam 30% Final Exam
Attendance Policy
Attendance is a minimum class expectation. Late attendance will be counted as half an unexcused absence. Excused absences will be granted only in cases where there is written documentation and only at the discretion of the instructor. You may be asked to do additional written work in lieu of material missed due to an excused absence.
Class Participation
Students are expected to attend all class meetings as well as participate in class discussions. Active and informed participation is considered a critical component of the learning experience and therefore constitutes a significant portion of your cumulative grade.
Weekly Response Papers/Reading Notes
Students are required to submit a response paper/reading note (minimum two paragraphs) once a week. Response papers/reading notes should give the instructor a clear sense that you have read the assignments and considered the issues presented. Writing response papers/reading notes also helps students to develop critical understanding of the readings and to be prepared for the class discussion.
Examinations
There will be one midterm exam and one final exam. In the interest of fairness, missed exams will receive a zero grade, and no make-up exams will be allowed.
Required Text
TBA (a coursepack and online resources)
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Course Schedule
week 1 (3/5) Introduction and Course Overview
week 2 (3/12) Concepts and Definitions: What is Culture?
week 3 (3/19) Qualitative Methodology and Ethnographic Fieldwork
week 4 (3/26) Cultural Understanding of Economic Behavior
week 5 (4/2) Health, Illness, and Healing
week 6 (4/9) Marriage, Family and Kinship
week 7 (4/16) Midterm Exam
week 8 (4/23) Sexuality, Gender, Body
week 9 (4/30) Power, Authority, Social Class
week 10 (5/7) Language and Communication
week 11 (5/14) Religion and Folk Belief
week 12 (5/21) In-class Film Screening
week 13 (5/28) Nationalism and Colonial Legacy
week 14 (6/4) Art, Museums, Tourism
week 15 (6/11) Review Session
week 16 (6/18) Final Exam