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DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
www.anthropology.ualberta.ca

ANTHR 101-A1: Fall Term 2016

INTRODUCTORY ANTHROPOLOGY

Instructor: Kateryna Pashkovska, PhD Candidate

Lecture Days and Time: MWF 8:00-8:50AM

Office: 13-06 Tory Building
Lecture Room: TL B 2
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Mondays 9:00-11:00 AM or by an appointment

Teaching Assistant: Xiao (Hope) Zheng

Office: 13-11 Tory Building

Office Hours: Thursdays1:00 PM-2:00 PM or by appointment
Email: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a general introductory course to Anthropology through the study of central
concepts and key issues. Topics include human evolution, the appearance of culture, social
organization, cultural theory, symbolic systems, and culture change. It illustrates the
connected nature of anthropology’s four major subfields: archeology, biological, cultural,
and linguistic anthropology. We will learn about methods, theories and ethics used in
anthropology through the ways in which anthropology is relevant to students’ daily lives.
As far as instructor’s primary training is in Cultural and Linguistic anthropology, the major
attention will be given to these two subfields.

COURSE PREREQUISITE: None

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COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
 Identify the subfields of Anthropology and discuss their purpose and practice.
 Recognize and define the central concepts and themes in Anthropology.
 Describe the basic principles and methodology of Anthropological fieldwork.
 Discuss the cross-cultural perspective and the holistic approach to cultural systems.
 Provide descriptions of applied anthropological research in all the major subfields.

REQUIRED READING:
Muckle, Robert and Laura Tubelle de Gonzalez. 2016. Through the Lens of Anthropology:
An Introduction to Human Evolution And Culture.

Grade Evaluation: The course will be based primarily on lectures and assigned readings,
supplemented by films and class discussions. Students are responsible for attending class
lectures regularly and for completing all assigned readings, answering TopHat questions
doing online quizzes, and exams by deadline. The lectures will complement or elaborate on
topics introduced in the readings and films, but will NOT necessarily repeat that material.
All students are expected to read the assigned materials in advance of the lectures, and to be
prepared to ask questions about the assigned readings and/or discuss the material with the
class.

The evaluation of the course will be based on online quizzes, a midterm exam, a final
exam, and participation.

The weight of each course activity and exam is given below:

TYPE OF ACTIVITY WEIGHTING DUE DATE

Participation 20% Ongoing, each class
Online quizzes 25% Ongoing, once a week
Midterm exam 25% Oct 17, Monday
Final exam 30% TBA

*WARNING: Students must verify the date, time and location of the final exam when
the final exam schedule is posted at http://www.registrarsoffice.ualberta.ca as well as
the course website: e-class.

COURSE ACTIVITIES & EXAMS FORMAT

Participation (20%)

TOPHAT: For this class, we will be using the TopHat app (www.tophat.com)
 Students will have to buy the app to use it in class for the purpose of taking
attendance and for in-class quizzes and discussions. As far as participation is really
important for this class and weighs 25% of the final grade, this app will help students
and the instructor to interact in this large classroom in a friendly and non-stressful
manner. Please go to the app’s webpage to find out more about its usage. If you have
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technical questions about setting up your account and using it in class, please
contact support at [email protected] The instructor will go over the use
of the app in class as well. We will start taking attendance and asking questions
using TopHat from Monday, September 12.
 The answers to questions and discussions opened through TopHat will NOT be
evaluated for their correctness, only for participation.
 If a student misses a class without a good reason, they get zero points for
participation that day.
 On average, 5-7 questions are asked during each class through TopHat. A student
who answers ALL questions during the class gets 100% for participation that day,
with calculated percentage for missed questions.
 Our TA for this course, Hope, will be taking care of calculating students’ final
grades for participation, and ALL questions regarding your attendance &
participation through TopHat should be addressed to her.
This link should help you get started:
How do I add or disenrol from the course?
https://success.tophat.com/s/article/Student-How-do-I-add-or-Disenrol-from-a-
Course?name=Student-How-do-I-add-or-Disenrol-from-a-Course&fromCase=1

Online quizzes & Podcasts (25%)

Each week, there will be online quizzes that we will post on e-class by 12 p.m. each Friday
(if there is no podcast that week). Students are expected to complete the quiz by 12 p.m.
next Monday. Points will be taken off for late responses. Each online quiz (on e-class) will
consist of 5 questions. Students get 100% for answering ALL questions CORRECTLY with
calculated percentage for missed or incorrectly answered questions. The questions are
multiple-choice. In total, there will be 11 online quizzes.
You are required to read the assigned textbook/chapter for this course as well as attend
lectures to answer these quizzes online. You are also encouraged to meet with classmates to
compare notes and discuss the questions before you answer them online. Students can use
their notes or the textbook, etc., to answer the questions. The week we’re having a podcast
there will be no online quizzes but the podcast comprehension questions instead.

If voted for by the students, we will have 6-7 podcasts during the course. Podcasts are files
in the .mov (slides with voice over) format recorded by the instructor for independent study
by the students. The day we are having a podcast you do not need to show up in class. You
will study the podcast and answer comprehension questions at your convenience – but by
the deadline which is the same as for the quizzes – the next Monday after they have been
posted.

Midterm Exam (25%)

Midterm exam will be held on Monday, October 17 and will be multiple-choice only. We
will have a review session the class before the midterm and will do a follow-up revision the
class after. The instructor and the teaching assistant will be happy to answer your questions
in class, by email or during our office hours. The midterm will be based on assigned
readings, online quizzes, lectures and films watched in class.
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Final Exam (30%)

The final exam will be multiple-choice questions based on the reading materials, online
quizzes, class lectures, podcasts, discussions and films that have been
covered since after the midterm. However, this final exam will be cumulative and may
include about 20% of materials covered in the midterm.

Access to e-class
You will have access to e-class for this course (course website). Materials posted on
e-class will include
 the syllabus
 grades for exams
 announcements
 folders for quizzes: questions & answers
 folders for podcasts & comprehension questions
 PPTs for lectures (before each class excluding films). Please note that PPT slides
will not provide every point discussed in class, so attending lectures is essential
 Links to films
 Etc.

Grade Criterion
Raw scores will be converted to a weighted total percentage, and the percentage will be
converted to a grade on the 4-point scale or the 12-point letter grade system. The following
table illustrates typical ranges used to convert percentages to 4-point grades, and grades are
assigned in accordance with the University’s policy [see the University Calendar, Section
23.4(4)].

Anthropology Undergraduate Grading Scale1

Letter Grades Approximate Final Marks (%) Grade Point Value

A+ 95-100 4.0
A 90-94 4.0
A- 85-89 3.7
B+ 80-84 3.3
B 74-79 3.0
B- 70-73 2.7
C+ 66-69 2.3
C 63-65 2.0
C- 60-62 1.7
D+ 56-59 1.3
D 50-55 1.0
D- 0-49 0

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This is an expected distribution and the final grades must be approved by the chair of the
Department of Anthropology.
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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND COURSE POLICIES

Students are expected to be aware of their academic responsibilities as outlined in
the Students’ Rights and Responsibilities section in the University Calendar. “Policy
about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.”

Student Responsibilities and Expectations: All students are expected to actively engage
in the learning process (e.g. completing assigned class readings/online quizzes, attending
class regularly and participating in class discussion). Students are highly encouraged to ask
questions, both in class or privately during office hours. They are also expected to be
respectful and courteous when asking questions and interacting each other in class.

Registration status and withdrawing from the Course: Students are responsible for
ensuring the accuracy of their registration in courses. All course requirements must be
completed to pass the course. Students who stop attending class must officially withdraw
from the course. Failure to withdraw properly will result in a grade being assigned that is
based on completed course work. Please see the University of Alberta academic calendar for
important deadlines, relevant academic information and degree requirements.

Exams and Student Photo ID Requirement: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams
to verify your identity. At the discretion of the instructor, students may or may not be
allowed to begin an examinationafter it has been in progress for 30 minutes. Students must
remain in the exam room for at least 30 minutes from the time the exam commenced.

Academic Integrity: “The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of

academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards
regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect.
Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of
Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandard
s/CodeofStudentBehaviour.aspx) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially result in
suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an
offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion
from the University.”

Learning and working environment: The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that
all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and
free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines
that environment.

Academic Honesty: All students should consult the information provided by the Office of
Judicial Affairs regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic
dishonesty in general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and
Information for Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the
instructor. Students involved in language courses and translation courses should be aware
that on-line “translation engines” produce very dubious and unreliable “translations.”
Students in language courses should be aware that, while seeking the advice of native or
expert speakers is often helpful, excessive editorial and creative help in assignments is
considered a form of “cheating” that violates the code of student conduct with dire
consequences.

An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or
she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration
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of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the
Academic Discipline Process.
Recording of Lectures: Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other
teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the
instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used
solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without
prior written consent from the instructor.

Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components: Regular attendance is essential

for optimal performance in any course. In cases of potentially excusable absences due to
illness or domestic affliction, notify your instructor by e-mail within two days (48 hours).
Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course
components missed as a result, consult sections 23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University
Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will result in partial or total loss of the grade
for the “attendance and participation” component(s) of a course, as well as for any
assignments that are not handed in or completed as a result.

Specialized Support & Disability Services: Students who require accommodation due to
disability or special needs are encouraged to bring their situation to the attention of the
instructor (s) as well as to contact Specialized Support and Disability Services (SSDS)
immediately (2-800 SUB, Phone 780-492-3381, TTY
780-492-7269, Email [email protected]).

WEEKLY LECTURE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNED READINGS: The readings are

used to illustrate lecture material. Please be sure to read the assigned readings before the
subsequent lectures. Time constraints may limit discussion of these in class, but they are
nevertheless fair game for exam material.

DATES LECTURE TOPICS READINGS PPTS

SEPT 2, INTRODUCTION INTRO by
FRI Hope Zheng,
teaching
assistant
SEPT 5 LABOUR DAY – NO CLASS
MO

SEPT 7 FILM: The Search for Civilization:

WED Archeology – A Secret History.

SEPT 9 FILM: The Real Dirt on Gossip

FRI

SEPT 12 Viewing the world through the lens of Ch. 1 PPT#1

MO anthropology: situating the discipline &
its 4 subfields
SEPT 14 We are primates: the primate background Ch. 2 PPT#2
WED
SEPT 16 Evolutionary thought & theory Ch. 3 PPT#3
FRI QUIZZ #1
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SEPT 19 Who are our ancestors? PPT #4

MON Film: The Human Family Tree

SEPT 21 TRIAL PODCAST: Human biological Ch. 4 PPT #5

WED evolution
SEPT 23 Human cultural evolution from 2.5 Ch. 5 PPT #6
FRI million to 20,000 years ago QUIZZ #2
SEPT 26 Cultural evolution from 20,000 to 5,000 Ch. 6 PPT #7
MON years ago
SEPT 28 Archeology of the last 5,000 years Ch. 7 PPT #8
WED
SEPT 30 FILM: PETRA: Most Mysterious QUIZZ #3
FRI Archeological Sites on Earth
OCT 3 Studying culture: how and why Ch. 8 PPT #9
MO
OCT 5 Studying culture: cultural adaptation. Ch. 8 PPT #10
WED Functions of culture.
OCT 7 Studying culture: fieldwork methods & Ch. 8 PPT #11
FRI ethics. Digital ethnography. QUIZZ #4
OCT 10 THANKSGIVING DAY – NO CLASS
MO
OCT 12 Studying culture: Applied anthropology. Ch. 8 PPT #12
WED
OCT 14 Review for the Midterm Exam PPT #13
FRI QUIZZ #5
OCT 17 MIDTERM EXAM
MO
OCT 19 MIDTERM FOLLOW UP PPT #14
WED
OCT 21 FILM: TBA PPT #15
FRI QUIZZ #6
OCT 24 Linguistic Anthropology & Linguistic Ch. 9 PPT #16
MO Anthropologists: what we study & why
OCT 26 Language & cultural variation Ch. 9 PPT #17
WED
OCT 28 Food-getting & Economics: adaptive Ch. 10 PPT #18
FRI strategies. Food producers. QUIZZ #7
OCT 31 Anthropologists study Economics: Ch. 10 PPT #19
MO horticulturalists; human diet.
NOV 2 Marriage, family & gender. Ch. 11 PPT #20
WED
NOV 4 Topic: TBA Ch. 11 PPT #21
FRI QUIZZ #8
NOV 7-11 FALL READING WEEK – NO
CLASSES
NOV 14 Politics: keeping order Ch. 12 PPT #22
MO
NOV 16 Politics & Power Ch. 12 PPT #23
WED
NOV 18 FILM: TBA QUIZZ #9
FRI
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NOV 21 Supernaturalism Ch. 13 PPT #24

MO
NOV 23 Supernaturalism Ch. 13 PPT #25
WED
NOV 25 FILM QUIZZ #10
FRI
NOV 28 Anthropology & Sustainability: details Ch. 14 PPT #26
MO TBA
NOV 30 Anthropology & Sustainability: details Ch. 14 PPT #27
WED TBA
DEC 2 Anthropology & Sustainability: details Ch. 14 PPT #28
FRI TBA QUIZZ #11
DEC 5 Anthropology & Sustainability: details Ch. 14 PPT #29
MO TBA
DEC 7 REVIEW FOR THE FINAL EXAM PPT #30
WED
TBA FINAL EXAM