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MWF 9:05-10:00 . . . 100 Heger Hall Prof. Daniel M. Varisco
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MWF 9:05-10:00 . . . 100 Heger Hall Prof. Daniel M. Varisco
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What does it mean to be human? Cultural anthropologists approach this question through ethnography -- living with people and participating in their life in order to better understand cultural differences and similarities. Three ethnographic case studies will be used in order to illustrate how and why an ethnographic approach contributes to an appreciation of human diversity. An indigenous perspective on the impact of the West will also be provided. You will learn about the process of studying others and the contemporary post-modern concern with the implications of globalism for the world we all live in.
• Bohannan, Paul and Dirk van der Elst (1998) Asking and Listening: Ethnography as Personal Adaptation. Prospect Hts: Waveland Press.
• Hau'ofa, Epeli (1987) Kisses in the Nederends. Honolulu: Hawaii University Press.
• Raybeck, Douglas (1996) Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and the Errant Anthropologist: Fieldwork in Malaysia. Prospect Heights: Waveland.
• Small, Cathy A. (1997) Voyages: From Tongan Villages to American Suburbs. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
• A4 Reader [This is available only at Sir Speedy (794-1234) at 2039 Hempstead Turnpike , across from Home Depot, east of campus.]
2/26 Ethnic Violence
1. READING THE ASSIGNMENTS by the date noted
in the course schedule or as directed by the professor. Read the
assigned material before class so that you can participate fully in
class discussion and bring up questions or explore issues you are not
clear about. Bring the assigned text with you to class on the
relevant day.
2. CLASS ATTENDANCE. Attendance will be
taken each day at the start of class. If you are unable to attend
class due to any reason (e.g., medical, traffic accident, sports
travel, job interview, alarm didn't go off) you must provide a
written note informing me of the reason you were absent. You are
allowed up to 5 excused absences for a course that meets threedays a
week. For each absence over the limit, you will lose 3 points from
your final grade points. It is my decision, as professor, whether an
absence is to be excused or not. Note that an excessive number of
absences may cause you to fail this course.
3. EXAMS: There will be three exams, each
with 12 short answers and two essays. The exam essays will be graded
according to the following criteria:
a. Demonstration that the information is understoodb. Use of relevant and appropriate information and examples from the course
c. Critical analysis of key concepts and perspectives
d. Synthesis and reformulation in yoiur own words
e. Clarity , completeness and coherence of response
Exams cannot be made up without advance notice for a legitimate reason.
4. CLASS ASSIGNMENT JOURNAL (CAJ)
Each student is required to write a class journal assignment (CAJ) related to the assigned readings, and topics. Each assignment should be at least 2-3 pages (typed, double-spaced) in length. The idea of the assignment is to show how your interact with the material you are reading or seeing. You must relate your ideas and opinions to the assigned reading or topic. I will provide written comments to help you improve your writing in an essay format so that you can do better on the essay exams.
The grading for each CAJ is "outcome based," which means that a particular assignment can be revised or expanded as necessary to meet the established criteria for full credit of 3 points per assignment, assuming the first is handed in on time. I will substract one point if the assignment is not handed in on the date due. All assignments must be revised no later than the last official day (Dec. 7) of class, but I recommend you do the revision immediately for benefit from my comments. The criteria are:
The following are the specific class assignments for the CAJ:
• CAJ #1 (due 1/31) Adam and Eve (directions on handout)• CAJ #2 (due 3/28) : Is Male Circumcision Civilized? Among modern nations, only the United States routinely circumcizes male children for "health" reasons. Riner (1989, part III) argues that circumcision is a means of social control. Briefly, what is his argument about the riddle of circumcision in American culture. Explain what you see as the strengths and the weaknesses of his argument. Will you circumcize your own child and why?
5. CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF READING (CAR)
Each student is required to complete a critical analysis of reading (CAR) for two of the assigned readings. The purpose of this assignment is to improve understanding through critical reading of the text. A handout is provided for each CAR, a copy of which is also available on the class website. I will provide written comments to help you improve your study skills.
The grading for each CAR is "outcome based," which means that a particular assignment can be revised or expanded as necessary to meet the established criteria for full credit of 3 points per assignment, assuming the first is handed in on time. I will substract one point if the assignment is not handed in on the date due. All assignments must be revised no later than the last official day (May 9) of class, but I recommend you do the revision immediately for benefit from my comments. These are:
- • a. Shows relative mastery of the author's main points
- • b. Shows relative mastery of author's style of writing
- • c. Ability to recognize relevant examples
[Read the selected assignment through and mark what you think are the important points. With the book open, go back through the reading and answer the following questions or directions. Focus on the reading, but try to add other supporting information learned in the course. Number each response but do not repeat the question. Under no circumstances may you copy sentences directly or paraphrase phrases from the reading. This must be only in your words.]
1. Based on Raybeck's experience from the start of his fieldwork, what kinds of things was he able to discover through "participant observation" that he might not have known as a tourist or visitor?2. How does the Kelantan view of privacy differ from that Raybeck grew up with in America? How did this affect his fieldwork?
3. Why did people in Kelantan assume Raybeck was working for the CIA and how did this affect his fieldwork?
[Read the selected assignment through and mark what you think are the important points. With the book open, go back through the reading and answer the following questions or directions. Focus on the reading, but try to add other supporting information learned in the course. Number each response but do not repeat the question. Under no circumstances may you copy sentences directly or paraphrase phrases from the reading. This must be only in your words. ]
2. What are three reasons that Small cites for why Tongans choose to migrate overseas?
Purpose: To explain how the information presented in class, the readings and the films influences the way you interpret your own cultural context and social relations. The aim of the essay is to write a mini-ethnography of an aspect of your own social context based on what you have learned in this course about ethnographic methods and reflection. This will include two ethnographic interviews and participant observation. Each student will also present a 5-minute oral presentation based on a finding in the ethnography. A handout will be provided with guidelines for this project.
Grading: Your mini-ethnography (written and oral) is worth 16 points. The major criteria I will use to grade the essay are listed below. Each criterion is worth 2 points: 1 if your work is adequate and 2 if it is impressive.for this project.
a. demonstration that the information presented is understoodb. use of relevant and appropriate examples from the course material
c. ability to synthesize rather than merely repeat or describe
d. shows awareness of ethical difficulties in ethnography
e. clarity and coherent explanation of points made
f. effective use of interview data in essay
h. concise and relevant oral presentation
g. originality and creativity
Length: Minimum 8 pages (typed, double-spaced) narrative text. Note that this length does not include the appended data of any survey or illustrations.
Due Date:
(1) A detailed outline or draft of your ethnography is due no later than 4/25.
(2) The final copy of your essay is due in
my office (216 Heger) no later than 4:00 pm May 11. Remember to
attach the essay cover sheet handed out by the professor. This must
be handed to me by hand. Late papers will have 3 points automatically
taken off.
7. WEB CRITIQUE. Each student will
conduct a web search on religion according to the guidelines given at
the class website (click
here for details). You may hand in
(or email an attachment to me) of a draft for comments (without
grade) up until 11/28. The final critique is due on the last official
day (12/7) of class.
- Each student in the class has an opportunity to earn 6 extra-credit points while at the same point properly preparing for the first two exams. A study sheet of major concepts will be handed out for each exam. Students who hand in their study notes on the day of the exam can earn up to 3 extra credit points, according to the following criteria:
3 points (comprehensive and concise notes for each concept)
2 points (adequate notes for each concept)
1 point (adequate notes for at least half of the concepts).
Grading in this course is based on a 100 point scale (although the student has the opportunity to earn 103 points in the course). In general, the "A" range will extend from 90-100, the "B" range from 80-89, the "C" range from 70-79, the "D" range starting at 64. The point accumulation breaks down as follows:
ITEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTAL POINTSExam #1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Exam #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Exam #3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Class Assignment Journal (CAJ) . . . . . . . . . . 6
Critical Analysis of Reading (CAR) . . . . . . . . 6
Ethnography. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Web Critique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Extra Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
