Syllabus

ANTH 390 Issues in Anthropology
Fall 2007
TR 12-1:15 FITZ 318
Instructor: Dr. Renee B. Walker
Office: 312 Fitzelle Hall
Office Hours: T1:15-3:15 pm
Phone: x3346
Email

Course Overview

This is a seminar course required for the anthropology major and designed for juniors and seniors. The course focuses on a number of theoretical and practical issues in the subfields of anthropology, as well as anthropological perspectives on current events and ethical aspects of anthropological research. The course is primarily discussion with occasional guest discussants. Junior or Senior standing and two of ANTH 100, ANTH 130, ANTH 140. General Education Attribute: WS2

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken each class, because participation is a major part of your grade and you must be in class to participate. Excused absences from illness/personal problems will require documentation.

Required Text

Endicott KM, Welsch RL (2005) Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Anthropology, 3^rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

*Readings on Electonric Reserve in Milne Library, the password is "parker".

Other Required Readings

Other required readings, as identified in the course schedule below and designated by an “*”, are from a variety of sources and are available via the courses web page.

A number of times during the course we may have one or more guests from the faculty of the Anthropology Department. They will be there to act as resources for information, and to further stimulate discussion.

Internet Resources

The course web page is: http://employees.oneonta.edu/walkerr/Issues/issues.htm

Grading

Your final grade will be based on oral presentations of readings, reaction papers, and class participation, for a total of 300 points, broken down as follows:

Assignment	Total Points
4 Oral summaries (25 points)	100 points
5 Reaction papers (50 Points)	250 points
Anthropology and Holism Question	50 points
Participation	100 points
Total	500 points

Your grade for the course will be determined from the total number of points that you earn, using the following table:

470 – 500 points =	A	400 – 419 points =	B-	335 – 349 points =	D+
450 – 469 points =	A-	385 – 399 points =	C+	320 – 334 points =	D
435 – 449 points =	B+	370 – 384 points =	C	300 – 319 points =	D-
420 – 434 points =	B	350 – 369 points =	C-	0 – 299 points =	E

Oral summaries:

Each student in the class will have four turns at summarizing the readings on a particular issue. Your oral summary should be roughly 10 minutes in length and focus on the main points of the issue, either pro or con. You will then give your own conclusions regarding the readings and the issue in question, and then pose questions for the rest of the class to consider.

I will ask for two volunteers (one for pro and one for con) for a given day at least one week in advance. If no one volunteers, I will assign the topics. At the beginning of the semester, two students will generally handle the summaries for a given day. Depending on the number of students in the course, we may have to double up a bit toward the end of the semester.

Each oral summary is worth 25 points, and each oral summary is graded as follows: Excellent = 25 points, Very good = 23 points, Good = 21 points, Fair = 19 points, Poor = 15 or fewer points.

Each student in the class will write a reaction paper for five different issues during the course. For each reaction paper, you choose one of the topics that had been covered in the past several classes (see the course schedule below for a detailed list of what topics are permissible for each of the reaction papers). The only restriction is that you cannot write a paper on the same topic that you had presented for an oral summary.

Each reaction paper should be approximately 3–4 pages in length, double-spaced. The reaction paper should identify the nature of the issue/controversy, review briefly the arguments pro and con, and end with your conclusion. The reaction papers should include material from both the readings for the given issue as well as any class discussion that took place. You can also incorporate additional readings that you have found on your own; this is a good way to get extra points. It should be clear in your papers when you are paraphrasing a reading, i.e. cite the author and page number after the section you are quoting or paraphrasing.

Each reaction paper is worth 50 points and papers will be graded on comprehension, clarity, original thought, and style (including spelling and grammar). I expect improvement over time, such that each successive reaction paper will be held to increasingly higher standards. Each reaction paper is graded as follows: Excellent = 50 points, Very good = 45 points, Good = 40 points, Fair = 35 points, Poor = 30 or fewer points. Note: 5 points will be deducted for late papers.

Because this is a seminar style course, participation is extremely important. You are expected to have completed and understood the readings for each class (even if you are not presenting the oral summary), come prepared for discussion, and actively participate in discussion. If you remain silent I will call on you, so you are better off jumping into the discussion at a time of your choosing!

Participation will be graded based on comprehension, clarity of discussion, original thought, and enthusiasm. Discussion is expected to remain civil at all times, no matter how much you might disagree with someone else. Participation is worth 100 points and will be graded as follows: Excellent = 100 points, Very good = 90 points, Good = 80 points, Fair = 70 points, Poor = 60 or fewer points.

Your response to this question is worth 50 points. We will be discussing the concept of holism in class on 12-4 and your response is due on 12-6. Please respond to the following question: What does the term holism mean in relation to anthropological studies? How is this approach utilized in anthropology, and how does this approach set anthropology apart from other academic disciplines you have studied in college. Give examples.

You are expected to be familiar with the rules concerning academic dishonesty as published in the Code of Student Conduct.