Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology (A)

About ANTH 1100 A

Introduction to cultural anthropology, using fieldwork-based concepts and methods to study diverse cultural views and practices, varied forms of social organization, and contemporary global issues.

Notes

Open to degree and PACE students System waitlisting enabled for this section.

Section Description

Cultural anthropology explores what shapes communities worldwide. In the broadest terms, cultural anthropologists study “culture”—understood as the process of ordering social life and making it meaningful in a range of settings. A key aim of cultural anthropology is to document and comparatively analyze the full range of human cultural adaptations and achievements, to discern themes and patterns in the human experience, and to examine processes of (and resistance to) change in a range of socioeconomic, geographic, and political contexts. As a social science, anthropology allows us to better understand cultural diversity through the use of ethnographic methods. Ethnography can be described as both the process and product of cultural anthropology and is characterized by field research methods that are holistic, mostly qualitative, and longitudinal.  
 
Through this course, students will be introduced to the history, scope, theory, relevance, and application of cultural anthropology in today’s world. Cultural anthropology has a long and controversial past, yet it has produced fascinating knowledge about our own society and societies that may be unfamiliar to us. In this class, you will learn about cultural anthropology as a scholarly practice and profession, including research methods and ethics and the ways anthropologists represent their research to varied audiences.

Section Expectation

This is a lecture-based course. Per University policy regarding work required for a three credit hour course, you will be expected to do 2-3 chapters of reading prior to each class session. You will be expected to engage in brief class discussions and activities, both in and outside of class time.

Evaluation

Grades are based on 3 exams, 4 activities: a participant observation assignment, film review, food diary, and museum activity.

Important Dates

Note: These dates may change before registration begins.

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

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