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Introduction to Cultural Anthropologywith Service LearningANTH 3, Section 10044Fall 2010, PB 8M/W 2:30-3:50 pmEmail: dklein@gavilan.eduPhone: 848-4834Professor: Debbie KleinOffice: LS 113Office Hours: M/W 11:40am-12:40pm & by appointmentWebsites:hhh.gavilan.edu/dklein (Dr. Klein’s ServiceLearning.htmhttp://www.gavilan.edu/disted/ (to access ilearn site)Course DescriptionWhat is cultural anthropology? How does anthropology prepare us to live in a multicultural world in which people have unequal access to power and resources? How doesanthropology offer new lenses through which to understand and interpret “other”cultures? How does anthropology relate to our pasts, everyday lives, and agendas forsocial change?This course introduces us to the field of cultural anthropology through ethnographies(books about cultures based on fieldwork) that explore border crossings of many kinds:undocumented immigrants living in California; modern plagues indiscriminatelyspreading across all national borders; Nigerian artists playing the global market forAfrican art and culture; and African immigrants moving to New York for US dollars. Byborder crossing, anthropologists mean the merging of two or more cultures, resulting instruggles for control over resources as well as exciting new cultural forms. Key themes ofthis course include: power and culture; the ideas of progress, neoliberalism and the1

nation-state; immigration and identity; race and gender; inequality and structuralviolence; transnational collaborations; globalization; and transformation.By getting a chance to participate in a community-based service learning projectthroughout the semester, you will become familiar with a community organization ofyour choosing. Over the course of the semester, you will spend 20-30 hours workingwithin your community organization. As you go, you will critically reflect upon yourcommunity service experience through class discussions and writings. You will write twoethnographic papers based on your service learning experience. Throughout your servicelearning project, you will practice and apply your anthropological skills—researchmethods; descriptive and reflexive writing; and cultural interpretation and analysis.Course Learning Outcomes Describe and analyze issues of power and inequality in a range of non-westernand western cultures in Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States.Demonstrate intercultural communication skills.Comprehend own social and cultural group identities and the relative privilege ormarginalization of each.Identify and demonstrate the importance and limitations of a culturally relativisticoutlook in today’s world.Examine the relevance of comparative cultural studies in the search for a betterunderstanding of the United States and other countriesDemonstrate the utility of a holistic approach to cultures.Analyze and explain cultural practices as they are embedded within systems ofrace, class, and gender.Demonstrate knowledge of the demographics, socio-cultural dynamics and assetsof a specific local community.Examine and analyze a community issue in the context of structural inequalities.Enter, participate in, and exit a community with respect and integrity.Demonstrate reciprocity and responsiveness in service work with community.Each of the above outcomes will be measured by: response papers, quizzes,exams, discussion participation, and a semester-long service learning project.Course RequirementsClass ParticipationQuizzes & Response PapersMidtermFinal ExamFinal Research Paper & Presentation15%20%30%15%20%Class Participation (15%)Attendance at all class meetings is required. If you miss 4 classes, you will be droppedfrom the course. The college policy on attendance is that students missing one more classhour than the unit value for that particular course may be dropped without possibility ofcredit. Do not be late: lateness is disrespectful to the instructor and your classmates.All students are expected to read the assignments before each class and come prepared to2

participate in class discussions and exercises. Be prepared to read between 40 to 100pages a week. Please read critically and take notes, making sure you understand theauthors’ main points. Also, I encourage you to keep a personal reading journal in whichyou write down your reflections and questions for class discussion.Quizzes & Response Papers (20% total)Several quizzes based on course readings and lectures will be given throughout thesemester. Response papers based on specific readings or films will be assigned inadvance.A response paper is 1-2 pages, typed and double-spaced. While it is a relatively openformat, your response paper should deal with one or a few of the main points made by theauthor or film. I am interested in your critical thinking here: tell me what you think aboutthe piece. While some summary is fine, I do not want a summary paper. For example,you might consider these questions before you write: Given what the author or film wastrying to convey, do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? Do you have lingeringquestions about the material presented? Did you appreciate the piece? Why or why not?Midterm (30%)The Midterm consists of a take-home essay and a fieldwork paper. Based on assignedreadings, topics covered in class and videos, the essay will require synthetic and criticalthinking. The fieldwork paper will give you the opportunity to begin the process offormally writing up your fieldwork experience, using ethnographic writing techniques ofthick description and analysis.Final Exam (15%)The final will be a take-home essay exam. Based on assigned readings, topics covered inclass and videos, questions will require synthetic and critical thinking.Final Research Paper and Presentation (20%)Your 6-8 page final paper (typed and double-spaced) is due on the last day of class. Itwill be based on the original ethnographic research that you conducted throughout thecourse. In this paper, you will integrate description and an anthropological analysis ofyour topic. Please choose from the topics listed at the end of the syllabus. In the lastweeks of class, you present your research findings in a creative presentation.Final GradesYOU MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TOPASS THE COURSE. Your grade in the course will be based on: class participation(15%); quizzes & response papers (20%); midterm (30%); final (15%); and final researchpaper and presentation (20%).90%-100% A; 80%-90% B; 70%-80% C; 60%-70% D; below 60% FImportant NotesStudents requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or otherdisabilities should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disability Resource Center(DRC) at 848-4865.3

You are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheatingand plagiarism will result in disciplinary action that may include recommendation fordismissal.Classroom EtiquetteI aim to create and facilitate a productive, comfortable and exciting learning environmentfor each student. In order to do this, I need your cooperation and willingness to take thislearning environment seriously. Here are some of my requirements: Walk into the classroom each day with an open mind. Before entering the classroom, please turn off your cell phone. At the veryleast, turn it to vibrate mode so that it does not disturb the class. No leaving early unless you have cleared it with me. Be 100% present in body and mind.Required TextsTexts are available at: the Gavilan bookstore, various textbook selling websites and theGavilan library on reserve. Also, you can buy Robbins as an etextbook atcoursesmart.com. You are required to read and keep track of all articles and chaptersposted to ilearn and distributed in class. You are required to view all videos; all videosare on reserve at the library, and many can be found on youtube.Robbins, Richard. 2010. Cultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach.Farmer, Paul. 1999. Infections and Inequalities: The Modern Plagues.Stoller, Paul. 1999. Jaguar: A Story of Africans in America.Recommended (not required since chapters are available on ilearn):Chavez, Leo. 1998. Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society.Course OrganizationWeekly Topics and AssignmentsWeek 1CULTURE AND POWERW Sept 1Review Syllabus and Course ExpectationsVideos: Yorùbá Bàtá: A Living Drum and Dance Traditionfrom Nigeria & Service Learning at Gavilan CollegeWeek 2CULTURE, MEANING & SERVICE LEARNINGM Sept 6Labor Day HolidayW Sept 8Lecture: Culture and PowerReadings Due: Singer, “What Should a Billionaire Give—andWhat Should You?” (link)Miner, “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema” (pdf)4

Week 3M Sept 13Lecture: Culture ConceptReading Due: Robbins, Ch.1 (first half)Writing Due: Personal History & Service Learning NarrativeW Sept 15Reading Due: Robbins, Ch.1 (last half)Quiz: Chapter 1Week 4THE MEANING OF “PROGRESS”M Sept 20Lecture: ColonialismReading Due: Robbins, Ch.2 (first half)W Sept 22Film: BabakiueriaReading Due: Robbins, Ch.2 (last half)Week 5GLOBALIZATION, NEOLIBERALISM& THE NATION-STATEM Sept 27Reading Due: Robbins, Ch.3 (excerpts)Writing Due: Field Project ProposalDue: Signed Community Service Learning Agreement &Gavilan College Service Learning PlanW Sept 29Service Learning DiscussionFilm: White Shamans and Plastic Medicine MenWeek 6IMMIGRATION AND IDENTITYM Oct 4Lecture: Migration OverviewReading Due: Chavez, Preface, Ch. 1 (pdf)W Oct 6Reading Due: Chavez, Ch. 2 (pdf)Film: In the Shadow of the LawWeek 7RACE, CLASS & GENDERM Oct 11Reading Due: Chavez, Chs. 5 & 6 (pdf)Film: Uneasy NeighborsHand out Take-home midtermW Oct 13Reading Due: “Top 10 Immigration Myths and Facts” (pdf)5

Week 8M Oct 18Writing Due: Take-home midtermFilm: Ishi the Last YahiW Oct 20Reading Due: “White,” excerpt from White Lies: Race and theMyths of Whiteness by Maurice Berger (pdf)Film: The House We Live In (part three of series, Race: ThePower of an Illusion)Week 9THE CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITYM Oct 25Reading Due: Robbins, Ch.6 (excerpts)W Oct 27Reading Due: Farmer, PrefaceWeek 10INEQUALITY AND STRUCTURAL VIOLENCEM Nov 1Film excerpts: Haiti: Harvest of HopeReading Due: Farmer, Ch. 1W Nov 3Reading Due: Farmer, Ch. 3Week 11WHY DO SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ECONOMICINEQUALITIES CHARACTERIZE MOST SOCIETIES?M Nov 8Lecture: Medical AnthropologyReading Due: Farmer, Ch. 4, Ch. 7W Nov 10Lecture: Marxist ThinkingReading Due: Robbins, Ch.7 (excerpts)Week 12TRANSNATIONAL INTERCONNECTIONS:AFRICA & THE USM Nov 15Service Learning DiscussionW Nov 17Lecture: NigerReading Due: Stoller (first half)Week 13GLOBALIZATIONM Nov 22Lecture: Globalization & AfricaW Nov 24Reading Due: Stoller (last half)6

Week 14HOW DO SOCIETIES JUSTIFY VIOLENCE?M Nov 29Reading Due: Robbins, Ch.8 (first half)W Dec 1Concluding thoughtsReading Due: Robbins, Ch.8 (last half)Week 15YOUR RESEARCHM Dec 6Your research presentations!W Dec 8Your research presentations!Writing Due: Final Research PaperWeek 16FINALSWED Dec 15FINAL EXAM: 1- 3pmAdditional NoteThis syllabus may be revised as the course goes on. Studentsare responsible for noting such changes and for keeping trackof events and readings in the current syllabus.***********************Service Learning Placements for Fall 2010Community PartnerContact PeoplePlaceNotesAdaptive CenterDave Ellis, 408-848-4878Gavilan4 studentsCommunity Pantry of San Mary Anne Hughes, 831Benito637-0340HollistergrouporientationLearning and LovingCenterSister Pat Davies, 408-7761196Morgan Hill 3 womenstudentsNational Farm WorkersCenterSi, Se Puede LearningCenterThomas Guzowski , 408847-9162Charles Miller, 831-6379097GilroySenior Center AdaptiveProgramTracy Kester, 408-848-1624GilroySt. Joseph's Family Center Lili Armenta, 408-842-6662ext. 27Gilroy7Hollister