This course will provide an introduction to the basic concepts, terms and methodologies of cultural anthropology.   Students will examine a variety of social and cultural elements and practices that exist in a reflexive relationship with cultural identities. These will include art, oral traditions, social discourse and power, social structures, ritual and religion, economics and trade, food, built space and globalization.  A number of different case studies will provide a framework for this investigation. Students will also have an opportunity to conduct their own anthropological research.   

A liberal education prepares students to lead ethical, productive and creative lives and to understand how the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking fosters good citizenship. General education courses from the core of a liberal education within the higher education curriculum and provide a coherent intellectual experience for all students by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in the areas of mathematics, the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences, the arts and the humanities, and composition. This course is part of the general education core experience at Howard Community College.

Overall Course Objectives | Course Format | Orientation | Course Requirements | Materials | Exams

Overall Course Objectives

This course intends to support students in developing the following skills and discipline specific knowledge:

• to exhibit a command of anthropological terminology, definitions and methodological techniques.
• to exhibit the ability to compare, contrast and discuss cultural traits within and between different social groups.
• to be able to distinguish the relationships between anthropological theories, concepts, processes and human activities.
• to analyze the interaction of between social, cultural and environmental elements and evaluate the effects of this reflexive relationship.
• to develop an empathic approach toward the study of different cultures.
• to be able to present these skills and this knowledge through various media.

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Course Format

• Is not self-paced.
• Does require on-campus meetings for a midterm exam and final exam. This test will be taken in the HCC Test Center (or at a regional test center if you are out of the area).  (For more information on taking tests, see the "Exams" section below.)
• Does not require real-time chats.
• Although this course is an online course that does not have regular meetings apart from the tests, the course content, objectives, and expectations are the same as the content, objectives, expectations I have for my on-campus section of ANTH 105.  Students will be required to contribute to discussions on readings and questions set through Canvas, using the online discussion forum. 

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Orientation

This course has an optional face-to-face orientation. Please check my email message to you for more information about the orientation and the option to participate in an online orientation.

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Course Requirements

• Review the “What you should know before you register” section of the Distance Learning Homepage.
• This is a "writing intensive" course.  What that means is that you will be graded on your ability to demonstrate course content in clear, coherent, well-organized, and grammatically correct written work.  In this course you will use writing as both a means to learn (to integrate information, reflect on what you have read, and to review what you have learned) as well as a means for evaluation (such as essays and exams).

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Materials Required:

Textbook information:  To visit our bookstore's online sales site, please visit www.howardccbooks.com and follow the instructions for selecting textbooks.
 

Technical Requirements and Plug-Ins:

Review the Technical Requirements link above. The following plug-ins are required for this course:

• Internet Explorer
• Netscape
• Word Viewer, if you don’t have the full version of Microsoft Word

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Exams 

The exam will have a flexible window of time during which it needs to be taken rather than a single date and time.

If you have any questions or comments about this course, please send a message to
Laura Cripps, lcripps@howardcc.edu

                                                                    Last updated on 09-12-10
                                                             © Howard Community College, 2010