Cultural Anthropology 1011 introduces you to the study of human cultural patterns and learned behavior. You will explore the discipline through weekly topics that include linguistics and religion, social and political organization, race and ethnicity, culture and personality, culture change and applied anthropology. The study of cultural anthropology helps to provide you with a more open and sensitive attitude towards persons of other cultures and ethnic backgrounds by exploring commonalities of belief and life intention and reflecting on the role of enculturation in shaping the lives of societies and individuals.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
Quizzes (2)
Quizzes consist of term matching, multiple choice, term definition and short essay questions. They are designed to test your comprehension of key terms and concepts from the required readings and videos. Your course allows for a possible second and/or third attempt with quizzes assignments. Please contact your course instructor if you wish to utilize another attempt.
Midterm (1)
Covering required material from the first eight weeks of the course, the midterm contains term matching, multiple choice and short essay questions.
Final exam (1)
To assess student comprehension of the last eight weeks of the course, the final exam has an increased focus upon critical thinking and writing. It contains term matching, multiple choice, and a selection of essay questions.
Both the Midterm and Final Exam must be taken though ProctorU. See UNE’s ProctorU page for information about signing up and scheduling your exam.
You must purchase a UNE-compliant Webcam to take your proctored examinations. Remember to order your webcam at least three weeks prior to scheduling your first proctored exam.
Discussion questions (8)
Discussions are designed to encourage critical thinking about the required readings and video viewings. Additionally, they aim to create a welcoming and stimulating intellectual space in which to interact with your peers and instructor.
Journal reflections (8)
Journal questions provide an opportunity to reflect and evaluate readings and videos based upon your understanding of the week’s content and themes. They are personal meditations seen only by your instructor.
Participant observation activity (1)
This activity aims to introduce learners to a core method in anthropological fieldwork where they will be relying solely upon their powers of perception to recall the social situation where the activity will take place. It is one of the principle methods found in the anthropological toolkit.
Article review activity (1)
Learners will assess the arguments presented in a classic anthropological linguistics article written by Benjamin Lee Whorf. The theory of linguistic determinism (Sapir/Whorf) continues to have a powerful influence in the social sciences and humanities today.
Eugenics activity (1)
Students will investigate a concealed chapter in American history, American eugenics, by viewing a video, reading an article, and visiting two websites in order to write a short paper on this topic.
Video review activity (1)
An award-garnering video introduces learners to the American Indian struggle over sacred lands, one ongoing since the creation of reservations. Students will grapple with legal and ethical dilemmas presented by three case histories.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Discussion Questions | 18% |
Journal Reflections | 18% |
Quizzes | 16% |
Article Review Activity | 8% |
Video Review Activity | 8% |
Participant Observation Activity | 8% |
Eugenics Activity | 8% |
Midterm Exam | 8% |
Final Exam | 8% |
Total | 100% |
Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Oct 30 – Nov 5
Week 2: Nov 6 – Nov 12
Week 3: Nov 13 – Nov 19
Week 4: Nov 20 – Nov 26
Week 5: Nov 27 – Dec 3
Week 6: Dec 4 – Dec 10
Week 7: Dec 11 – Dec 17
Week 8: Dec 18 – Dec 24
Week | Topic | Readings/ Resources | Assignment Type |
1 |
What is Anthropology Interdisciplinary Method Anthropology and the Four Fields Academic | Applied |
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Journal Reflection Discussion Question Practice Proctored Test (Optional) |
2 |
Applying Anthropology Medical Anthropology
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Journal Reflection (2) Discussion Question Quiz
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3 |
Theory and Method Culture
|
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Article Review Assignment Introduction Participant Observation Activity Introduction Journal Reflection Midterm Review Discussion Question Participant Observation Activity Submission
|
4 |
Language Language – Uniquely Human
|
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Article Review Introduction Journal Reflection Discussion Question Midterm Exam Article Review Submission |
5 |
Ethnicity and Race American Indian Boarding Schools
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Eugenics Activity Introduction Journal Reflection Discussion Question Submit Eugenics Activity
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6 |
Modes of Production Indigenous and Capitalist |
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Journal Reflection Discussion Question Quiz
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7 |
Religion- Struggle for a Definition Religion or Cultural Traditions?
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Kottak (2019). Religion. What is Religion and what are its various forms? Anderson (2021). Cultural Anthropology In Light of Reverence. [Video] Deloria (2013). Sacred Places and Moral Responsibility Religion and Spirituality [Video] |
Journal Reflection Video Review Activity Discussion Questions Submit Video Review Activity |
8 |
The World System and Colonialism Global Issues Today
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Balée (2016). Colonialism and the World System Kottak (2019). The World System, Colonialism, and Inequality Ishi: The Last Yahi [Video] Women in the Global Factory “The Doctrine of Discovery, 1493” Kottak (2019). Anthropology’s Role in a Globalizing World Matamoros: The Human Face of Globalization [Video] “The Exit Zero Project (Website and Film Trailer)” [Video] |
Practice Proctored Test Discussion Question Final Exam Extra Credit Reflection |
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Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.
Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.
Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.
Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.
Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements
A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.
Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks
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Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.
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