Official course description: "An introduction to the concept of culture and to the study of language." 

Anthropology is the systematic study of humankind. Cultural anthropologists study culture, the learned and shared ways of life of groups of people that are socially transmitted from one generation to the next. The goal of this course is to help you develop a better understanding of the cultural differences and similarities that exist among and within human societies and cultures, including our own.

Required Text:  Conrad Kottak. Cultural Anthropology. 2008. 12th Edition. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN:978-0-07-353095-6

• Attendance:  You are adults so attendance is at your discretion. Nevertheless consistently missing class will have a harmful effect on your grade, especially by missing quizzes.
• Classroom etiquette: There will be at least 150 people registered for this class. To insure the best possible learning experience I request your cooperation by showing respect and courtesy not only to me but also to everyone else in the room. The format of this class is lecture. It is virtually impossible to do anything else with a class of this size. Nonetheless, I welcome your relevant questions and I will address them to the best of my ability. With that said I must point out that constant small talk  is annoying not only to me but also to those around you. It happens all too frequently in large classes and it is extremely irritating. It interferes with both my ability to teach and the capacity for students to understand the material. If you feel an uncontrollable need to converse with your friends then please do so outside class. I will ask once politely for your cooperation. After that you will be asked to leave.
• Readings: Do the assigned reading before coming to class. Things will make much more sense and you'll do better on quizzes.
• Exams: There will be two exams each worth 100 points and a 150 point cumulative final. All will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and matching questions. Cheating on exams and/or quizzes earns you a zero. If you miss an exam you must take an essay make up exam on the day of the final and that will be given only at my discretion only if you present me with a verifiable medical excuse or proof of extenuating circumstance. Only one make-up exam is permitted per student. You will need a photo ID to take the final exam. Please remember this!!
• Quizzes: Six (6) unannounced pop quizzes will be administered throughout the semester at the beginning of class in the first 15 minutes. Each will be worth ten (10) points and the format will be multiple choice and true-false. Please do not leave after taking the quiz unless you provide me with a reasonable excuse. No make-up quizzes will be given. 
• Extra credit: None will be given. If you do what you are supposed to do then you'll be okay. 
• Miscellaneous: I reserve the right to slightly modify the point ranges listed below (upward, but not downward) to benefit people who have put forth exemplary effort.
• "Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5959 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion."

Course Outline and Reading Assignments* (subject to modification)