ANTH 380/Traditional Cultures

Fall 2007/ Minnesota State University Moorhead

T  H 10:30 - 11:45 AM, KH 216

Instructor: Dr. Bruce D. Roberts

Office: KH 213; Telephone: 477-2043

Fall 2007 Office hours:
Monday 11:30AM-1:30PM,
Tuesday 9AM-10AM, Noon - 1PM
Wednesday 8:30AM - 12:30PM
Thursday 9AM-10AM, Noon - 1PM

E mail: robertsb@mnstate.edu; Class web site  http://www.mnstate.edu/robertsb/380

This course will intensively examine fundamental aspects of non‑industrial/non‑western cultures prior to widespread modernization and culture change. Elements to be addressed include kinship and domestic organization, adaptive/subsistence patterns, economic production and exchange; political organization and social control; and religious systems. While generalizing about traditional cultures, we will investigate these topics through specific ethnographic examples selected from diverse parts of the globe. Additionally, although the emphasis in this course is on the “traditional” as you will see it will be both impossible and undesirable to avoid consideration of culture change and “modernization” in these societies.

                                                                 Required Texts

Chagnon, Napoleon

1997 The Yanomamo. 5^th edition. Thomson-Wadsworth.

King, Glenn E.                                                        

2003     Traditional Cultures: A Survey of Nonwestern Experience and Achievement. Waveland Press.

Lee, Richard B.

2002     The Dobe Ju/’hoansi. 3^rd edition. Thomson-Wadsworth.

Weiner, Annette B.

1988     Trobrianders of Papua New Guinea. Thomson-Wadsworth.

                                                             Student Assessment

Attendance: You are adults. It’s up to you whether or not you come to class. I don’t take attendance and view it as a waste of time. However, occasionally I’ll pass around a sheet to see who’s being naughty and who’s being nice. At the end of the semester if I need an excuse to bump your grade up it will definitely behoove you if your name is on those sheets. Use your discretion.

 Readings: Do the readings before coming to class. Things will make more sense and you’ll do better on the quizzes! A word to the wise– the apparent simplicity of King’s book (the text) is receiving – in reality it is loaded with substantive ethnographic and ethnological knowledge. Don’t underestimate it! The books by Chagnon, Lee and Weiner are what we call ethnographies – written accounts of particular cultures. They are not intended by design to be “fun” reading.

 Exams: There will be three exams each worth 100 points. All exams will be comprised of multiple choice, true-false, and matching questions (about 75-80 points), as well as a short essay on the ethnography assigned for that domain (about 20-25 points).  Make-up exams are all essay and given only at my discretion if you present me with a verifiable medical excuse/ proof of extenuating circumstance within 48 hours of the exam.

 Pop quizzes: There will be 5 unannounced pop quizzes, each worth 10 points. Combined they’ll account for 12.5% of your grade. Format will be multiple choice and true/false. They will be administered at my discretion at the beginning of class. No make-up quizzes will be given.

 
Book reviews: You must critically review two (2) of the three ethnographies you’ll read for this class. Each review will be worth 25 points. Guidelines will be provided shortly. Reviews are due in class on the following dates: October 9 (Chagnon); November 8 (Lee); December 11^th (Weiner).  Late reviews will be penalized 5 points per half day late.

 Extra Credit: None will be given.

 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 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.”

                                                                 Summary of Evaluation Criteria

            Course Outline (subject to revision)