SYLLABUS FOR CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Winter 2016
Instructor: Dr. Sarah Chase
(860) 928-5454 (H)
(860) 933-7999 (C)
This course will introduce you to the discipline of anthropology in general and
cultural anthropology in particular. Anthropology is the study of human diversity
through time and space. Cultural anthropology is the study of human society and
culture and describes, analyzes, interprets and explains social and cultural
similarities and differences. The main focus of this course will be how culture,
food and communication vary cross-culturally.
This class is modeled after a college course using college texts and associated
testing materials. Challenge yourselves to rise and meet these standards. This is a
great opportunity to gain insight into what you will be facing next year in a safe
environment where I will guide and aid you to achieve this high level of work. In
this class we will focus a great deal on active reading and how to do well on essay
tests in the social sciences in college.
Along with the texts, we will view numerous films, and you will plan, prepare,
execute, write-up, and present a mini-ethnography of your own choosing.
Readings:
Body Ritual Among the Nacirema by Horace Miner
Perfectly Prep by Sarah A. Chase
Coyotes by Ted Conover
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Eating Christmas in the Kalahari by Richard Lee
Shakespeare in the Bush by Laura Bohannan
Workaday World Crack Economy by Philippe Bourgois
Lessons from the Field by George Gmelch
Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh
Applying Anthropology by Podolefsky, Brown and Lacy
Multimedia
Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes NPR broadcast
The Anthropology of Cell Phones TED Talk
Jimmy Nelson: Gorgeous portraits of the world's vanishing people TED Talk
Corporate Anthropology: Dissecting Consumer Appetites NPR broadcast
Movies:
Daughter from Danang
God Grew Tired of Us
Born into Brothels

Which Way Home

Bizarre Foods Philippines
Activities:
Sushi demonstration at 85 Main
Laos Lunch: Spring Roll demonstration & Laos culture
Grading:
Homework/quizzes/ethnographies 50%
Tests
45%
Attitude/participation
5%
Class Preparation:
I would like to give you the trust and autonomy of college students please let me
do so by always coming to class prepared and ready to learn and participate.
Always bring your homework, appropriate texts, notebooks and pens and pencils
to class. Hand homework assignments in ON TIME. Late assignments will result
in a lower grade. Missing class does not mean missing assignments. Deadlines
may be extended if you have a legitimate excuse and notify IN ADVANCE. 10%
of the grade will be deducted for each class period an assignment is late. After 5
days, the work will receive a 50% if eventually handed in. If the assignment is
never handed in, it will receive a 0.
Class Participation:
It is vital for a fun and effective class that students participate. Active and
meaningful contributions to class discussions are expected.
Class Conduct:
Courteous behavior is expected at all times. Please no food, drink and gum
during class except when provided by the instructor or shared with everyone.
Tardiness will not be tolerated. If you are late for a legitimate reason, please bring
a note.
Honor Code:
The Pomfret Honor Code forbids any form of academic dishonesty, including,
plagiarism, cheating, working together and copying the homework of another
student. Dont do it!
Extra Help:
I am very glad to give and easily available for extra help. PLEASE see me or
email me to make an appointment for extra help.
LESSON 1

Goal: Understand what Anthropology is, why it is important, what makes it

different from other disciplines. Understand the ethics and methods in cultural
anthropology
Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
Perfectly Prep: Chapter 1 & 2 (parts)
Coyotes: Forward, Ch. 1 & 2
Gang Leader for a Day Chapter 1
Workaday World Crack Economy
LESSON 2
Goal: Understand the difference between academic and applied
anthropology and examples of how applied anthropology is useful to society.
Applying Anthropology
Corporate Anthropology: Dissecting Consumer Appetites
The Anthropology of Cell Phones TED Talk
LESSON 3
Goal: Understand what culture is, the different levels of culture, how culture is
learned, and mechanics of cultural change. Understand how anthropology is
in a unique position to examine the nature/nurture dilemma.
Outliers: Matthew Effect and Rice Paddies and Math tests
Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes NPR broadcast
Jimmy Nelson: Gorgeous portraits of the world's vanishing people TED Talk
LESSON 4
Goal: Understand how cultural differences permeate and influence our lives.
Lessons from the Field
Eating Christmas in the Kalahari
Shakespeare in the Bush
LESSON 5
Goal: Understand how socio-economics and culture affect adolescence and to
understand the unique aspects of adolescence in the U.S.
Perfectly Prep Chapter 5
LESSON 6
Goal: Understand how subsistence activities are adaptive strategies and to
examine the cultural use of food.

LESSON 7
Goal: Understand how to conduct ethnographic research, how to analyze the
data, how to write an ethnography and then present it to an audience.
Mini-ethnography