"Other fields, other grasshoppers" – Javanese Proverb
So you signed up for this class and are now wondering, "What is anthropology anyways?" That is the point of the class – to introduce you to the themes, methods and approaches of this discipline. Anthropology is based on the belief that people are inherently interesting and live their lives in all sorts of incredible ways all around the world. It is a field that means a great deal to me and I am so very happy to be able to teach it here at Westview.
Some of the basic topics we will cover include: a brief history of the field, symbolic analysis, kinship & marriage, gender theory, rites of passage, theories of power, media & advertising, linguistics, environmental anthropology, ethnographic research
FILMS: We will be watching a number of documentaries in the class that are directly related to the themes above. All of these were carefully selected and lessons have been designed around them. If you or your parent/guardian have any concerns about these films, please contact me and I will work with you to design an alternate assessment.
WRITING: There is quite a lot of writing in this class, some at home and oodles in class. Even the small in-class pieces are part of your overall grade. I will be reading most of these but sometimes your fellow students will read them as well so be prepared to share your work.
PROJECTS: The major culminating work of the semester is an ethnographic research paper/project with a visual presentation. You will choose a culture/community and we will work through much of this together but know that you will also be asked to do some research outside of class. Other projects will often include a set of options but there will in fact be some essays because I like them and anthropology is a written discipline.
ATTENDANCE: Be here and let me know if you aren't going to be if at all possible. You are responsible for getting work from when you are gone. Please don't ask me if we did "anything important" or if you "missed anything" because it hurts my feelings.
ASSIGNMENTS & HOMEWORK: Do your work and turn it in. If something comes up, let me know before you become overwhelmed and/or it would be ridiculously late.
YOUR GRADE: Each project and assignment will be graded with comments aplenty so that you can revise if you want to raise your grade. Plagiarize and FAIL.
Please talk with me if you have any questions, suggestions, good jokes, pictures of cute puppies, etc. I also welcome ideas for readings and resources that you find as we go through the semester together. Bring 'em in.