Cultural Anthropology Online Classes (Anth 105) – Fall 2017

Cultural Anthropology Online Classes (Anth 105)
Fall 2017

Welcome to the online Anth 105 page! Thank you for your interest in this online course.  Here is some general information about this Anth 105 online course (sections #70614 and #70617). 

Course Description
Catalog Description: An introduction to the study of concepts, theories, and methods used in the comparative study of socio-cultural systems. The course typically includes subjects such as subsistence patterns, social and political organization, language and communication, family and kinship, religion, the arts, social inequality, ethnicity, gender, culture change and the application of anthropological perspectives to contemporary issues.  Click here for catalog and SLO information.

Broader Description: This is a survey course designed to introduce students to concepts and principles of cultural anthropology and human diversity. This course will provide students with knowledge of various designs for living in different parts of the world. It is a comparative multi-cultural approach to how societies develop behaviors to meet biological, social, psychological, environmental and economic needs. It will also help students understand and appreciate the cultural diversity within our own society. Advisory note: There will be topics discussed in this class that may make you feel uncomfortable (e.g. topics dealing with marriage, rites of passage, religion etc.) Please review the textbook chapters for a preview of these topics.

Text Requirements
There are two required texts to purchase:

1) Nanda, Serena and Richard Warms. 2015. Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3rd ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Publishing Company. ISBN:   978-1285738512.  (We will be using this less costly edition and not the latest edition.) Click here to view book.  (This book is also available for rent and as an e-book.  Information can be found at Cengage Learning).

2) Ward, Martha. 2005. Nest in the Wind: Adventures in Anthropology on a Tropical Island (2nd ed.). Long Grove: Waveland Press.  ISBN: 1577663683.  Click here to view book.

Course Requirements
*To take this online course you need to have regular access to a reliable computer(s) and also have a backup in case problems arise.

**This course requires you to come to the main Palomar campus in San Marcos to take three exams during the semester.   The exams will be administered at the STAR Tutoring/ Proctoring Center located on the first floor in the library at the main campus.  A photo ID, scantron, and a #2 pencil will be needed for each exam. Please note that I cannot make any exceptions to this policy of taking exams on the main campus, and any exceptions to the various dates that exams will be administered. Each exam will be available for at least four days (including Saturday).  You can select which day to take it; however I recommend taking the exam the first two days it is offered.

Tentative Exam dates:  Please visit the STAR Tutoring Center hours of operation.

EXAM #1 dates: Thursday, September 28; Friday, September 29; Saturday, September 30; and Monday, October 2

EXAM #2 dates: Thursday, November 2; Friday, November 3; Saturday, November 4; and Monday, November 6

EXAM #3 dates: Saturday, December 9, Monday, December 11; Tuesday, December 12; Wednesday, December 13; Thursday, December 14; and Friday, December 15

General Course Work
The general course work will consist of the following:  (1) weekly readings from the texts and articles posted on Blackboard, (2) weekly timed online quizzes based on chapter readings and Blackboard articles, (3) regular discussion board forums, (4) approximately six to eight film assignments (mainly watching a film and answering questions on a quiz), and (5) a possible participant-observation paper that requires you to attend an approved cultural activity that is a new experience for you.

There is no mandatory orientation meeting; however students will need to post an introductory discussion post by Monday, August 21 by 9:00pm as a form of attendance.  Courtesy reminder emails will be sent a week prior to the beginning of the semester.

Adding/Crashing the Course
If you are on a wait list and would like to add the class, please send me an email by Friday, August 18.  If you are not on a wait list and want to add the class, please email me by Tuesday, August 22 for availability.

Accessing the Course
If you are enrolled, you should be able to access this online course on Blackboard by Monday, August 21.   I will send an e-mail notifying you when the course is available.

Thank you for taking the time to review the information.  Please feel free to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to working with you this fall semester.

Have a wonderful day.

Anne-Marie Mobilia