Anthropology 5 - Cultures of the U.S.

Spring 2008 Wednesday 6:30-9:20 Room 508

Instructor: Kip Waldo

Office: D-8 In the new Chabot trailer park – behind the theater.

Office Phone: 723-6980 (answering machine) Say the class (Anthro 3 day and time of your class) and your phone number, slowly

Email: kwaldo@chabotcollege.edu

If you send an email to me, put the Anthro in the Subject of the email, otherwise, if it is in the spam filter I may not see it. Let me know what class you are in day and time.

When you can find me in my Office: Tuesdays 8:15-8:45, 1:15-2 Wednesdays 5:30-6:15; Thursdays 8:15-8:45, 1-1:30 and by arrangement.

Class webpage: http://online.chabotcollege.edu/kwaldo Check this for regular updates

Texts - available in the bookstore and elsewhere (There should be used copies of both books.)

"On Being Different", Kottak and Kozaitis 3rd Edition (earlier edition is ok)

"The Spirit Catches You, You Fall Down" – Anne Fadiman

For exams: 2 Scantrons (total), #2 pencils and pen and paper for essays.

For papers: Access to a word processor and printer

General Class Guidelines - This is important to Read

This class depends on everyone's participation. You will often work in groups in class. Each person will have a study partner or be part of a study group.

Missing Classes If, for any reason you must miss more than one class or miss an exam or a class when an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to contact me ahead of time. Call your “study partner” if you miss a class to catch up and get information. There will not be make-ups for in-class assignments.
Important Exams: No showing up the class after an exam and asking to take a make-up it is your responsibility to contact me ahead of time, if an alternative arrangement needs to be made.

Late Assignments Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Assignments handed in late will be marked down a full grade for every 3 days overdue. None will be accepted more than a week late.

About the class

Goals:

to familiarize you with the discipline of cultural/social anthropology;
to explore some of the complexities of U.S. society - the intersection of race, culture and class and its impact on various cultural communities.
To understand the social forces that construct and that we engage to construct our identities;
to seek to understand diverse perspectives from an "insiders" point of view through class discussions and reading first-hand accounts by members of these communities;
to better understand your own culture and the society we are a part of;
to discuss these complex and often emotion-laden issues to gain a better understanding of the society we inhabit;
and finally to explore the attempts people have made and continue to make to resist the forces acting upon them and to bring about beneficial social change.

What is required of you:

Active involvement in class through regular attendance, and participation;
keeping up with the reading and other assignments;
Maintaining respect for everyone in classroom discussions, this includes no activated beepers or cell phones during class.
Completing assignments in on time and wordprocessed or typed;
Setting up a "study group" or establishing a "study partner";
Occasional testing of your understanding of concepts discussed or in readings;
involvement in your research project - throughout the semester.

A couple other notes:

· Assignments The work you hand in must be your work. In other words, plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is using someone's work and claiming it as your own. This can range from copying portions from the Internet or other sources and not acknowledging who the author is,. or handing in work written by someone other than yourself and calling it your own. (See the student handbook or speak with me if this is not clear to you.)

· Attendance Consistent tardiness or absence will result in loss of points for attendance.

· If something is unclear - please ask me for clarification during class.

· If something is unclear or you want to talk about something, I am available outside of class. Come to my office hours or email me to set up a time to talk.

Grading (approximate percentages): points

Attendance, class participation and in-class exercises 45 points – 7%
Observations (3 @ 30 points) 90 points - 13%
Exams (2 @ 120 points) – 240 points - 35%
Cultural Insights – 5 @ 40 points - 200 points - 30%
Reading Reflections – (1 @ 20 points, 2 @ 40 points) - 100 points - 15%

Total points 675 points
Final Grade - point totals

A – 675 - 607

B – 606 - 540

C - 539 - 472

D - 471 - 405

F - No F’s please

Very Brief Descriptions of assignments:

Observations are written observations and analysis of a particular aspect of society.
Exams both take home and in-class response to readings, videos and in-class discussions.
Cultural Insights - a combination of research and fieldwork resulting in a paper and for class discussion. You will choose one “cultural guide”.
Reading Reflections - a brief summary and analysis of selected portions of text or assigned readings.

Other materials - Readings on reserve in the library or handed out in class or available through the class website.

For exams: 2 Scantrons (total), #2 pencils and pen and paper for essays.

General Class Guidelines - This is important to Read