Anthro 100T: Cultural Anthropology
Dr. MaryCarol Hopkins
246 Landrum Hall
Northern Kentucky University
Fall 1999
I. Goals of the Course:
The purpose of an introductory course in cultural anthropology is threefold: first, to introduce
students to the general nature and basic principles of anthropology, and to the methods by which
anthropologists do their research; second, to introduce students to a variety of cultures around the
world, some of which might be quite unfamiliar to you; and third, to change your own thinking--about your own culture, about the world, and perhaps about your own self and behavior. This last
might make you a little uneasy at first glance, but think about it: isn't the purpose of all education
to change you by expanding your knowledge and understanding of something? The purpose of a
specifically liberal arts education is to broaden your understanding of the world and of your place
in it. In my view, that broadened perspective is the most important goal of this course.
The reason for the telecourse format is to accommodate students who are highly motivated,
work well independently, and cannot attend regular classes. Telecourses are not for everyone. If you
have never taken a telecourse before, you should read the syllabus and the student guide very
carefully right away, and be sure to be in touch with me early if you have questions or concerns. If
you are a very mature, self-motivated person, and can keep yourself to a tight schedule, this course
format is for you. If you rely on teacher instruction and sometimes let yourself get behind, or if you
are taking this because you think it will be easier than a regular course, this is not for you!
II. Keeping in Touch:
My office is 246 Landrum, right behind the elevators, and I'll hold regular office hours MWF
at 2:00, but you may prefer to phone me at 572-5255 or e-mail me at hopkins@nku.edu.
Important! After about two weeks of class I'll receive mailing stickers for the class. These
stickers will be used to mail important messages, such as changes in assignments, test information,
and your test grades. Please check with me sometime between the 2nd and 4th week of classes to
make certain I have your correct address. Also notify me if your address changes at any time during
the semester: what if I mail out a change of test date?
III. Texts:
Searles, Richard T.
Study Guide for the Telecourse: Faces of Culture.
This is not just an optional supplement.All the reading under "Assignments" is required. Begin it right away, and don't neglect the Preface.
Haviland, William A.
Cultural Anthropology. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace.
You'll be reading most of the book except for the chapter on prehistory. Follow the Study
Guide. Pay attention to the initial maps and pronunciation guide, and to maps,
diagrams, and pictures included in the reading segments.
IV. The Telecasts:
Anthropology lends itself well to a video format because so much about a culture can best
be understood visually. Don't miss any of the segments! There will be two half-hour programs per
week, shown on KET on Saturdays from 1:00 to 2:00, beginning Saturday, September 5. Notice
that there are two separate half-hour programs each week. They will also be aired over NKU
cable; I will get that schedule to you as soon as it is available. You should try to see each program
twice, once just to watch and once to take notes. There may be things you don't quite grasp the first
time through, and you surely may want to review segments before the exams. Most students find
they need to tape the programs. One copy is also available for your use in Media Services, but you
cannot copy or borrow these tapes. Because their hours are somewhat restricted, it is best to call
ahead to arrange a time for viewing there.
V. Classes:
Since the intent of this course is to serve students who can handle academic work with little
guidance and also those who can not attend class, classes will be kept to a minimum. However, two
mandatory test sessions and two optional review sessions are listed on the schedule. Mark these on
your calendar now, so you don't miss them by accident. The final review session will also include
the course evaluation, so if you wish to do that you must be present that night.
VI. Exams:
There will be two exams, a midterm and a final, each counting approximately 50% of your
grade. Test format may include true-false, multiple choice, matching, and short answer, but I am
open to suggestions from the class on this. Many but not all questions will come from the Study
Guide.
Midterm: Episodes 1-12
Study Guide Chapters 1-12
plus the appropriate chapters of Haviland (study guide will tell you)
Final: Episodes 13-26
Study Guide Chapters 13-26
plus the appropriate chapters of Haviland
Please remember to bring a pencil, and please do not wear a billed cap on test days.
I am loathe to give make-up exams. If you let me know ahead of time that you absolutely
cannot make a scheduled exam, I'll try to give you an alternate test date. If you do MISS an exam
without making arrangements with me ahead of time, it is my decision whether to give you a make-up testdo not assume that privilege is automatically granted. You'll need to have an official
doctor's excuse, and it may be a different exam, different format.
VII. Kinship Project:
This will be a somewhat lengthy project and will require time beyond merely reading and
studying the textbooks, but it will help you immeasurably to understand the very important and
sometimes difficult unit on kinship. The final project will be due Nov. 11.
VIII. Extra Credit:
There are several things you can do to earn extra credit toward your final grade (that is, above
the 100% allotted for the two tests). The maximum number of extra credit points you can earn
altogether is 10, or 10% above your final grade. Extra credit can only be used to raise a passing
grade. If you fail both the midterm and the final exams, extra credit points cannot be used to raise
your grade to passing (your exam grades must average to a passing grade in order to pass the course).
The last date to turn it in will be November 22. All extra credit work must be typed, double spaced
and should include both a summary and review of the event, explaining what you learned about the
culture and how this relates to the coursework. For some of these, it might be helpful to read the
chapter on art beforehand.
1. Visit the African art exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Museum (free) and/or Amerindian art at the
Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis; 2-3 page review of each exhibit, demonstrating what you
learned about the cultures through their art; maximum 3 points each.
2. Write a book review of either Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Colin Turnbull's The Forest
People; the review should be 4-5 pages in length; maximum of 4 points.
3. Do any of the projects in the Study Guide listed under "Suggested Activities"; each should be a
minimum of 2 typed pages and is worth a maximum of 1 extra point up to a maximum total
of 5 points; there are about 100 of these activities, so you have lots of freedom here.
IX. Study Advice:
1. Develop a regular schedule for reading the assignments and viewing the programs. Mark the
programs now on your personal calendar and don't allow another event to intervene. Avoid
disruptions or distractions during this reserved time. Try to record the programs so you can
see them twice.
2. Complete the reading assignment before you watch the program. Look over the chapter before
reading it: check the chapter headings & subheadings and read the chapter summaries before
you read the chapter itself.
3. Develop a set of notes for each unit so you can review these rather than rereading the whole
chapter at test time. Keep a running vocabulary list with definitions in your own words
(don't copy from the book--it will be meaningless to you later). As you read, circle or note
down things that are unclear. You can ask about these during review sessions or call me
about them.
4. After you finish reading the chapter, go back over your notes to make sure they make sense.
5. Watch the video once for understanding, then watch it a second time, right then, to take notes.
Don't think you'll watch them all again before the test--you probably will not, and shouldn't
need to if you've taken good notes.
6. Study with a partner or small group. The group might meet just every other week, or you might
even study by phone. Review the assignments, make sure you agree on the vocabulary, and
make up test questions for one another. Try to make better questions than the Study Guide
offers. If you've got better questions (students often do), pass them along and I'll use them!
X. Grading:
Your final grade will be based on the following: Midterm test: 45%
Kinship project: 5%
Final exam: 50%
XI. Special Problems:
Any student with special problems such as hearing, vision, or other disabilities should make
these known to me as soon as possible. Students needing special arrangements for note-taking or
test-taking must make these arrangements with me well ahead of time. Student Support Services
offers such assistance; call 572-5138.
Students who would like free tutoring or help with reading, writing, study, or test-taking
skills can call or visit the Learning Assistance Center at 572-5475 or BEP 230. They offer help with
all sorts of writing assignments.
XII. Plagiarism and Cheating:
Plagiarism is contrary to both the rules and the values of this university, the department, and
this course. Plagiarism refers to any use of another person's ideas without specifically and clearly
attributing those ideas to her or him, whether or not the direct words are used. Simply, plagiarism
is presenting someone else's ideas as your own. Examples would include having another person
write or help write a paper, using someone else's paper in whole or in part, copying or extracting
from another writer without directly giving precise credit to the author. Plagiarism will result in a
grade of F, so don't do it out of carelessness!
Cheating on a test will result in failure in the course. Cheating on a test includes having any prior knowledge of the test other than that given by me in class, any use during the test of any materials or information not expressly permitted by my instructions (for example, dictionaries are not permitted), or looking or appearing to look at another student's paper during a test. Do not wear visored hats or sunglasses during a test, and leave seats between yourself and others when possible.