Anthropology 205

Peoples and Cultures of the World

Section 505
Fall, 2016
101 RICH
TR 3:55-5:10pm
Instructor: Dr. Darrell Lynch, 222 Anthropology Building
Phone: 458-5985
Email: darrelllynch@tamu.edu
Office Hours: MW: 2:30-4:00pm, TR: 2:30-3:30pm.
Graduate Assistant: Carolyn Kennedy, 131 Anthropology Building
Email: carolynkennedy13@tamu.edu
Office Hours: TR: 9:30-11:00am.
Course Description: This is an introductory course in anthropology and cultural diversity. There are no
prerequisites.
Course Objectives
This course seeks to develop an understanding of:
- what culture is, how it is acquired, how it develops and changes, and how it is expressed;
- the ways in which different kinds of societies are organized, in terms of family, economic activities,
political systems, etc.;
- the global range of cultural diversity and reasons for that diversity;
- the realization that we are all cultural beings, and are informed by our own culture;
- a greater appreciation and respect for other cultures and ways of life.
Required Reading
Holly Peters-Golden; Culture Sketches: Case Studies in Anthropology (6th Ed.)
Bruce Trigger; The Huron: Farmers of the North
Michael Kearney; The Winds of Ixtepeji: Worldview in a Zapotec Town
Attendance
Regular attendance is absolutely essential for passing this course. Lecture materials will account for about
eighty percent of exam questions and may only be acquired through class attendance- they will not be
posted or otherwise made available. If you must miss a class, it is the resonsibility of the student get notes
from another student in the class. Make up exams will only be given for documented excused absences as
defined in the student handbook (student-rules.tamu.edu) under the section on attendance. If you
absolutely must miss an exam, contact me in advance to set up a time shortly before or after the exam day
to take the test. Make up exams will not be the same tests as regular exams. Although this is primarily a
lecture-based class, students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Readings
The required readings are intended to expose students to various types of anthropological literature.
Culture Sketches is a general book of readings. Each chapter will provide students with a short window
into a different culture, and will go along with the subjects we discuss in class. They will be covered on
specific class days as listed below. The Huron and Winds are more in-depth readings and will also be
discussed in class on specific days as noted below. Students should read all of the materials, take notes on
them, and be prepared to discuss them, prior to their respective discussion days.
Exams
Grades will be established on the basis of three non-cumulative exams worth 100 points each. All three
tests will comprise 75% of your final grade. Regularly scheduled exams will be multiple choice.

Article Summary/Review
Students will also be required to write one article summary/review which will account for up to 70 points
of the final grade. Summaries should be a minimum of 1 to 2 pages of text written in your own words,
typed, double-spaced, with one inch margins, a standard font, and 12 point type. Indentations, titles, and/or
citations do not count toward your summary length! Articles may be on any subject pertaining to
anthropology, but they must be substantial (8+ pages), and taken from reputable and recent (2000-present)
anthropological journals available in the library. Only paper copies will be accepted (no email
submissions), and a paper copy of the article must be turned in with the review. Late papers will receive
substantial grade cuts unless there is a compelling and documented reason for the tardiness. Very late
papers will not be accepted at all. Students who have doubts about the suitability of an article should
consult the instructor or graduate assistant before writing the review. The first seventy to eighty percent of
the assignment should simply be a summary of the article itself. The rest of the assignment should be one
or two paragraphs relating your personal reactions to the article.
Recommended Anthropology Journals available through JSTOR:
American Anthropologist, Current Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, American Antiquity,
Anthropology and Education Quarterly, Ethnomusicology, Medical Anthropology Quarterly, Ethos,
Anthropology Today, American Ethnologist, Human Ecology, Ethnology, Latin American Antiquity,
Anthropology Now, Urban Anthropology, Annual Review of Anthropology, American Journal of
Archaeology, Anthropologica, Anthropological Linguistics, Anthropos, Artic Anthropology, Historical
Archaeology, Indian Anthropologist, Oceania, Plains Anthropologist, Journal of Anthropological Research.
Quizzes
A series of unannounced pop quizzes will be given throughout the semester. They will be administered at
the beginning of class, and will typically cover reading assignments for that day, and/or prominent points
from the last few lecture periods. Quizzes will also serve as a check for attendance. A total of up to 45
points will be available from quizzes. Thirty of these points will be part of your normal grade, while the
remaining 15 will give students a chance for some extra credit. Note that this will constitute the only form
of extra credit available for the course. Quizzes will be in class only, and can never be made up.
Exam 1=
Exam 2=
Exam 3=
Abstract=
Quizzes=
Total

100 points
100 points
100 points
70 points
45 points
415 points

Grading Scale %, Required Points

A
90% 360
B
80% 320
C
70% 280
D
60% 240
F
below 240 points
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation
requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation,
please contact Disability Services, currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student
Services at White Creek complex on west campus or call 979-845-1637. For additional information, visit
http://disability.tamu.edu.

Academic Integrity Statement

The Aggie Code of Honor states, An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
Cheating or plagiarism on any exam, assignment, or essay may result in a failing grade. All
instances of cheating will be referred to the Aggie Honor System Office. You may refer to the Honor
Council Rules and Procedures at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged borrowing of information, words, or ideas from another person
and passing them off as your own. You are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another
person and turn it in as your own, even if you have the permission of that person. For more
information about plagiarism, please consult the Texas A&M University Student Rules under the
section Academic Misconduct at http://student-rules.tamu.edu.
Diversity Statement
Respect for cultural diversity is a core concept of Anthropology. In this course, each voice in the
classroom has something of value to contribute to class discussion. Please respect the different
experiences, beliefs and values expressed by your fellow students and refrain from anti-intellectual
comments about other individuals, cultures, groups, or viewpoints. The Anthropology Department
supports the Texas A&M University commitment to Diversity, and welcomes individuals of all ethnic
groups, genders, sexual orientations, and family backgrounds.
Visit: http://diversity.tamu.edu/WhatsDiversity/CommitmentToDiversity.aspx.
Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices
Use of cell phones, pagers, music players, or similar communication devices during class is absolutely
prohibited. All such devices must be turned off and tucked away (not visible) during class meetings. In
extraordinary circumstances, cell phones may be placed in a silent (vibrate) mode in order to receive
emergency communications, but students must step out of the classroom in order to respond to, or send
messages of any kind. Use of tablets and laptops is permitted, but only for the express purpose of taking
notes on class lectures and films. Use of such devices for any other purpose will result in the loss of your
priviledge to bring them to class.

Tentative Course Outline

8/30
Introduction to the Course
9/1
The Discipline of Anthropology
9/6
The Concept of Culture
9/8
Cultural Values
9/13
Profile: Spiritist Healing in Brazil
9/15
Maladaptive Traits
9/20
Societies and Levels of Complexity
9/22
TBA or Film
9/27
Discussion of Readings: Peters-Golden chapters 3, 6, and 10, Huron
9/29
Huron Continued
10/4
First Exam
10/6
10/11
10/13
10/18
10/20
10/25
10/27
11/1
11/3

Human Universals, Subsistence

Enculturation, Language and Communication
Cognition, Status and Role
Marriage and Kinship
Profile: Witchcraft in a Brazilian Slum
Magic, Science and Religion
Discussion of Readings: Peters-Golden chapters 1, 2, and 14, Zapotec
Zapotec Continued
Second Exam

11/8
11/10
11/15
11/17
11/22
11/24
11/29
12/1
12/6

Ethnomedicine, Rural and Urban Poverty

Culture and Disease Patterning
TBA or Film
Indigenous Peoples and National Society, article reviews due
Cultural Change and Modernization
No Class: Thanksgiving Holiday
Medical Anthropology
Applied Anthropology
Discussion of Readings: Peters-Golden chapters 4, 9, 13, 5, and 15

12/13

Final Exam 1:00pm