Azer Keskin akeskin0@binghamton.edu
Chris Loy offminor@hotmail.com
Kevin Sheridan ksherida@binghamton.edu
Jeremy Wilson jwilson0@binghamton.edu

Course Description
Anthropology 111 is an introduction to the discipline of anthropology - the study, description and analysis of human behavior across space and through time. We begin by examining the concept of culture, its origin and importance to anthropology, and cultural relativity, focusing on key issues such as gender, language, race and religious fundamentalism. Cultural evolution, cultural adaptation, and other theories are discussed, along with the post-modern critique of anthropology. We consider the social production of landscape and community, forms of political organization, and cultural universals such as marriage and ritual. In the second half of the course we discuss genetics and evolution, studying human origins as revealed by fossil remains. The development of culture is outlined, from early hunters and gatherers to agricultural societies and state governments, as revealed by archaeology. The class ends with discussion of the application of anthropology to modern problems of development, health, and discrimination. As an exercise in cross cultural understanding students explore intensively the culture of the Yanomamo, a people of the South American tropical forest, evaluating also the ethics of anthropological research among them.

Course Objectives
This coarse seeks to impart a broad understanding of the human condition, along with an appreciation of cultural diversity and difference. Students will learn about the nature of culture and learned behavior. They will examine race and criticisms of the race concept as applied in modern societies, about gender and its ramifications, and about other key human institutions. The course explicates human origins and introduces human evolution, both physical and cultural. We learn about the role of anthropology in the construction of socially important knowledge, as well as the application of anthropological knowledge to current world problems.

Format
Three lectures and a discussion section per week, with extensive use of films. Examinations include a one-hour examination and a final examination with both short answer and essay questions, two short papers, and contributions to discussions.

Course Texts
Required:
Park, Michael Alan 2003 Introducing Anthropology.(second edition) McGraw Hill.

Chagnon, Napoleon A. 1997 Yanomamö. (5th ed.) Fort Worth: Harcourt College Publishers.

Both texts are available for purchase from the University Bookstore or for 2 hour reserve in the Newcomb Reserve Reading Room in the Library.

Other Required Readings are Culture concept
http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/courses/122/module1/concept.html.

Also Available on Reserve:

Tierney, Patrick 2000 Darkness in El Dorado. New York and London: W. W. Norton.

Turner, Terence 2001 The Yanomami and the Ethics of Anthropological Practice. Ithaca: Cornell University Latin American Studies Program.

Exams:
There will be two (2) tests administered during the term: an in-class midterm exam and a final exam during finals week. The format of the exams will consist of multiple choice and essay questions.

Writing Assignments:
The first paper assignment, 10 pages in length, is based on the assigned book Yanomamö by N. A. Chagnon. You should read the entire book before the first draft of this assignment is due. The second paper assignment, 6-8 pages in length, is based on the current controversy over Chagnon's fieldwork. Additional readings are required for this second assignment, and your teaching assistant will provide you with a list of sources (most available on the internet). We will be going over these assignments, and writing in general, in more detail in discussion sections.

Each paper should be double-spaced, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. For each paper assignment, you will hand in an initial, complete draft followed by a final, rewritten version. Two copies of each paper draft must be submitted-one for your teaching assistant, and one for review by a fellow student. Due dates for these projects are given below.

All assignments (paper drafts and final versions) must be handed in on time. Although the initial paper drafts are not graded, please note that you final paper grade will be penalized for any assignment handed in late, including drafts. For each day late (including weekends), 10 points will be deducted from your final paper grade. In addition, if you do not complete and submit a peer review sheet, 5 points will be deducted from your final paper grade. Do not hand in assignments late!!! If you are absent on the day a draft is handed back, please see your teaching assistant during his/her office hours or in lecture to pick it up. You cannot work on your revision without the reviewed draft.

Discussion Section:
Group Presentations (15 points each; 30 points total): Two short (10-minute) group presentations, based on the readings, are required during the semester. The purpose of these presentations is to briefly synthesize important points from the chapters, introduce the readings, for review, and to encourage discussion of and questions about the reading material. Much of the material will be new to you; therefore, you are required to prepare your presentations and consult with your teaching assistant in advance to ensure that your coverage of the material will be useful to you and the rest of the class. We will go over format and scheduling of these presentations in more detail in discussion sections.

Participation (30 points): Active participation means coming to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings for that week, as well as the lecture material and/or films. This includes occasional participation in group work as well as actively contributing your questions, ideas and opinions to class discussions.

Attendance (40 points): Attendance will be taken each week in discussion sections. You are allowed 2 free absences from discussion sections. For each additional absence, 5 points will be deducted from your 40 points for attendance. In addition, 3 late arrivals of more than 15 minutes will equal one absence, in which case 5 points will be deducted.

If you miss lecture or discussion section for any reason, or if you are late, you are still responsible for the material that you miss, and/or for any announcements made that day. Get the notes from someone, or see your teaching assistant during office hours.

Plagiarism and Cheating:
Students are expected to abide by the rules of academic honesty. Under no circumstances will plagiarism and/or cheating be tolerated. These offenses carry a severe penalty, ranging from a possible "F" in the course to suspension or expulsion from this university. If you are unsure of what constitutes plagiarism, consult a copy of the University Rules and Expectations or your teaching assistant.

Outline of Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments