ANTHROPOLOGY 3990
HISTORY AND THEORIES OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Fall Semester 2008
Tuesday and Thursday 3:00 – 4:15 pm in Main 301
3 credits
Professor Steven Simms. Main 245G, 797-1277 s.simms@usu.edu
Student visitation times: M, W 10:00 – 11:00 am; 1:30 – 2:30 pm; T, R 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss something and/or set up a meeting at a time convenient for you.
WHY ANTHROPOLOGICAL HISTORY AND THEORY?
“Anthropology is, with music and mathematics, one of the few true vocations; and the anthropologist may become aware of it within himself before ever he has been taught it.”
Claude Lévi-Strauss (1955)
“I am afraid anthropology has become like a lunatic asylum where the patients have taken over”
Robin Fox (1991)
Anthropology is in a state of upheaval, but as the quotes above suggest, this is nothing new. Anthropology is comprised of personalities, particular experiences, and synthetic ideas. This course is about all of it; the history of anthropology, anthropologists, and the generalizing process of theory. They cannot be separated.
We the students can make no claims to know anthropology unless we know where anthropology came from, what its central ideas are, and how we arrived at our claims to knowledge. Basic competency in these tasks is necessary for you to have a legitimate voice. Gaining these - competency and voice - are the goals of the course.
This is a foundation course that explores the diverse theoretical perspectives in anthropology by tracing the history of the discipline. During my 22 years of teaching this course, I have often heard that theory is “too abstract,” “not part of the ‘real’ world”, “too general,” or simply “too hard.” I even hear the recitation of the popular, but mistaken notion, “It is only a theory.” On the contrary, theory is everywhere, implicitly or explicitly. Theory does not consist of mere speculations, nor is it an act of ad hoc wondering. Theories are not proven or disproven. Let me say that again. Theories are not proven or disproven. They are evaluated for their utility. Thus, theory is the sum of knowledge from a particular research perspective, at a particular point in intellectual history. Theory shapes our conceptualization of issues, and even our ability to recognize them. Most importantly, theory shapes our interpretations - what we think know.
A central contribution of anthropology is that knowledge (i.e., truth) is contextual – dependent on the cultural context. Theories thus constitute the contexts of the diverse “knowledge” provided by anthropology. This notion also applies to anthropological theorists and theories, not just to Other cultures. Our journey will be cross-cultural, but not in the way we usually think of it. You will be challenged by cultural diversity as you encounter the historically significant social thinkers. They may seem anachronistic and politically incorrect, and it will be tempting to dismiss them, or judge them only according to our modern standards. We will be challenged to apply the cultural relativism we have learned about in many courses.
Because theory demands a concern with why and how we know what we think we know (epistemology), we will encounter conflicts between a temptation to judge, and the demands of relativism and tolerance, just as we would if we were going among cultures in the world today. This experience may be the most fundamental lesson you come away with because success with this challenge will help distinguish you as an anthropological thinker from any number of philosophical, political, business, educational, and religious ideologues promoting one or another truth.
This course is both a preparation and a capstone. You will be challenged to assemble your existing knowledge of anthropology in light of the thinkers who went before. You will emerge from the course with a working personal synthesis of anthropological theory, and you will gain experience in essay writing, critical thinking, and revision.
The course is meant to challenge and to some extent preview a graduate level experience. Judging from the comments of many students over the past 20 years who went on for graduate study in anthropology and other fields, an investment in this course will reward you later. It is my hope that you will find the challenges of the semester to be liberating and empowering - perhaps not immediately, then in the future.
TEXTS AND RESERVE READINGS
The primary required text is available for purchase at the USU Bookstore or from Amazon.com via the USU Museum of Anthropology portal http://www.usu.edu/anthro/museum/catalog/amafundmus.html
Sidky, H.
2004 Perspectives on Culture: A Critical Introduction to Theory in Cultural Anthropology.
The secondary required texts are available for purchase from Amazon.com via the USU Museum of Anthropology portal http://www.usu.edu/anthro/museum/catalog/amafundmus.html
Geertz, Clifford
1973 The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays by Clifford Geertz.
Harris, Marvin
1977 Cannibals and Kings: The Origins of Cultures.
Reserve Readings
On Electronic Reserve and in some cases hard copy at the Reserve Desk in the Library. The password for our electronic reserve is: sim3990. You will find a host of other readings on reserve that may be of interest, but that are not required.
Johnson, Allen
1987 The Death of Ethnography: Has Anthropology Betrayed its Mission? The Sciences (March/April).
Pandian, Jacob
Authentic Anthropology, pp. 1-13.
Sass, Louis
1986 Anthropology’s Native Problems: Revisionism in the Field. Harper’s 272:49-57.
Spiro, M. E.
Marcus, pp. 124-151. Duke University Press, Durham, North Carolina.
SUMMARY OF COURSE ORGANIZATION AND ASSIGNMENTS
Course Sections
epistemology, and the problem of relativism. A “thumbnail sketch” of the history of anthropology identifies and organizes the milestones in anthropological thought, identifies the names of significant scholars and their ideas, and an introduces terminology and concepts that we will explore in greater depth later.
anthropology during various periods. This section of the course helps us see why and how anthropology became what it is today.
intellectual threads in anthropology past and present. One is more strongly humanist and seeks understanding and the other is more scientific and seeks explanation. This is an opportunity to read primary literature, but at the same time explore broad issues fundamental to anthropology yesterday, today, and in the future.
Assignments (more detail later in this syllabus):
Semester Writing Assignment. This assignment is a major essay to develop your synthesis of anthropological theory. The essay evolves over the course of the semester using a draft, on-line discussion, review, and rewrite process. This is the most important assignment in the course because it provides a process that helps you develop a personal assessment of what anthropological theory is. The assignment is graded at each step in the four-part draft/submission/discusson/revision process. 40% of final grade.
Introductory Quiz. A brief on-line quiz covering the critical first three weeks of the course. 10% of final grade.
Reaction Papers (3). These are structured essays of about 1000 – 2000 words on specific readings and issues. 10% each for 30% of final grade.
Reading Quizzes (2). Brief on-line quizzes targeting the textbook reading. 10% each for 20% of final grade.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS, GRADING, AND POLICIES
Expectations
I assume that no one is in this class simply because it is required.
Please do not wait to seek help. By the last 3 weeks of the semester, it may be too late to fix many problems that may have been tractable if you had taken the initiative earlier.
Grades
Grades reflect the following levels of performance:
A = Exceptional performance/Excellent
B = Above average performance/Good
C = Satisfactory performance/Average of university level scholarship
D = Poor performance/Substandard
F = Failing performance
Intangibles. All grades can be moved up or down one grade fraction (e.g., B to B+) by intangibles including, but
not limited to quality of discussion, evidence of extra study, amount of improvement during the semester, attendance and tardiness (these are monitored every day).
Policies
Extra Credit
No extra credit is given. Put your effort into the assignments and the expectations listed above.
Policy for late assignments.
Late assignments lose one full letter grade for each day (weekends = 1 day). Assignments are submitted on-line and are thus timed. If you communicate with me, I will work to accommodate legitimate problems you may have. Stay in touch and be responsible.
General University Policies
USU policies on dropping courses, incompletes, plagiarism, and cheating are adhered to and can be found in the section “Academic Regulations” in your Class Schedule or on the university web site www.usu.edu
Cheating
USU policies regarding honesty, including cheating on exams and assignments and plagiarism, will be adhered to. See www.usu.edu and the Index link for sections on “Student Code” and “Honor System” for policy details.
Students with Disabilities
Qualified students with disabilities may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, 797-2444 voice, 797-0740 TTY, or toll free at 1-800-259-2966. Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille, large print or digital) are available with advance notice.
FERPA
In compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act (FERPA), it is the policy of our department to maintain the confidentiality of students’ records.
My Promise to You
I will return your investment in meeting the standards of a university education and your effort toward intellectual growth with a genuine interest in you. I will be available to you, return your emails, and discuss anthropology with you. My demeanor tends to be demanding, but this does not detract from my concern for your struggles, or my excitement at your success. My evaluation of your work in the course is unrelated to my value for you as a person.
COURSE OUTLINE
Topics Readings
COURSE SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS AND THUMBNAIL SKETCH
Week 1
8/26 Introduction
8/28 The nature of anthropology and anthropological knowledge. Sidky C.1
Week 2
9/2 Science and epistemology Sidky C. 2
9/4 Anthropology and the Western tradition Pandian C. 1
Johnson, A. The Death of Ethnography
Week 3
First draft of Semester Writing Assignment due on-line by 11:00 PM 9/8
9/9 Thumbnail history of anthropology I
9/11 Thumbnail history of anthropology II
Introductory Quiz taken on-line. Must be completed by 11:00 PM 9/15
Week 4
9/16 The problem of relativism and the concept of culture. Spiro, Relativism & the
Future of Anthropology
9/18 Relativism discussion (on-line and in-class)
First Reaction Paper due on-line by 11:00 PM 9/22
COURSE SECTION II: HISTORY OF ANTHROPOLOGY
Week 5
9/23 The Enlightenment to the Early 19th century.
9/25 19th century Evolutionism: Spencer and Tylor Sidky C. 3
Week 6
Second draft of Semester Writing Assignment due on-line by 11:00 PM 9/29
9/30 Morgan and Marx Sidky C. 4
10/2 Darwin and a tale of, “The Evolution of Two Evolutions.”
Early physical anthropology.
Week 7
10/7 The Diffusionists. Historical particularism, and the heuristic of the Sidky C. 5 & C.6
intellectual and the anti-intellectual.
10/9 No class
Reading Quiz 1 taken on-line. Must be completed by 11:00 PM 10/10
Week 8
10/14 The Boasians and the making of American anthropology Sidky C.7
10/16 Fall break, attend Friday classes.
Week 9
10/21 European threads: Durkheim, Mauss, Weber
10/23 Functionalism: Radcliffe-Brown, Malinowski and after. Sidky C. 8 & 9
Week 10
10/28 Cultural evolution, causation, and determinism Sidky C. 10
10/30 Claude Levi-Strauss, Structuralism & linguistics Sidky C. 11
Third draft of Semester Writing Assignment due on-line by 11:00 PM 10/31.
Week 11
11/4 Cognitive anthropology, emics and etics Sidky C. 12
11/6 Symbolic anthropology: a primer Sidky C. 13
Week 12
11/11 Cultural materialism: a primer Sidky C. 14
Reading Quiz 2 taken on-line. Must be completed by 11:00 PM 11/14
COURSE SECTION III: WORKING WITH THEORIES
11/13 Geertz, The Interpretation of Culture Geertz
Week 13
11/18 Geertz, The Interpretation of Culture Geertz
11/20 Harris, Cannibals and Kings Harris
Second Reaction Paper due on-line by 11:00 PM 11/24.
Week 14
11/25 Harris, Cannibals and Kings Harris
11/27 Thanksgiving Holiday. No class.
Third Reaction Paper due on-line by 11:00 PM 12/1.
Week 15
12/2 The Two Cultures: Science and Humanism in Anthropology Sidky C. 15, 16 Sass, Anthropology’s Native Problems
12/4 The Two Cultures . . . TBA
Final draft of Semester Writing Assignment due on line by 11:00 PM 12/11
(This is the scheduled day of our final exam. There is no final exam in this class)
ASSIGNMENTS
Semester Writing Assignment (40% of final grade)
Due dates shown on Course Outline
This assignment is a major essay to develop your synthesis of anthropological theory. The essay evolves over the course of the semester using four cycles of draft submission, review, on-line discussion, rewriting, and resubmission. All drafts and review are conducted on-line. Review and editorial guidance will come from me using Acrobat editor or Word track changes tools. There will also be peer review of each draft by other members of the course assigned by me to review your drafts.
This is the most significant assignment in the course. Think of it not as an entity, but as a process. The aim is to develop your synthesis of anthropological theory and present it in the form of a polished essay at the end of the semester. The final product will probably not look anything like your first or second drafts, and perhaps not even like your third draft. Quality writing arises not only from revision, but from rewriting, which results from research and discussion. Thus, there is an on-line discussion element to this assignment using the Blackboard Vista discussion tool.
First Draft (due in Week 3). This is a researched, and carefully prepared, titled essay of less than 2,000 words. The topic is “your encounters with anthropological history and theory.” Obviously, if you feel you have had no encounter, then you will have to research and prepare one. Please do not tell me that you have no encounters. It is ok if you feel you have not, but now is the time to begin to develop one. Your essay should do the following:
1. Identify your exposure to the history and theory of anthropology. What theories, what perspectives, what anthropologists do you know of? You may need to consult an introductory text and other readings.
2. Provide several examples of what you know, and identify where your interests lie. Your essay should develop a synthesis of your “encounters with anthropology.” Again, this will require some research.
Submission and Review
Your drafts will be reviewed by me and by some of your student colleagues who I will assign to your essay. Review will be done directly between author and reviewers, not the entire class. The review will not be limited to the quality of writing, but will constitute the basis for a discussion of anthropological history and theory. This will be done via class on-line discussion using the Blackboard Vista discussion tool. For instance, I will pose questions, and other students will raise issues and questions, and make observations about history and theory. Everyone’s participation is essential to shaping your emerging synthesis.
Second Draft (due in Week 6) and Third Draft (due in Week 10) will show significant growth based on class learning. It is likely that the length of the essay will increase. No length is specified, but will be advised individually. On-line discussion continues to be required.
Final Draft (due Finals Week) is the final product: a major essay of your synthesis of anthropological theory.
Grading Drafts 1 – 3 (20% each for 60% of assignment grade). Final draft (40% of assignment grade). The on-line discussion is also graded, but accounts for about 20% of each grade. You will receive considerable guidance from me as the grading proceeds with each round of revision and discussion.
Introductory Quiz (10% of final grade)
Due 11 pm 9/15
This is an on-line, self-administered quiz to assess your understanding of the broad outlines of the history and theories of anthropology as known after the first three weeks of the course. It follows the introduction of key terms and concepts and the thumbnail sketch of the history of anthropology.
Reading Quizzes (2 @ 10% each for 20% of final grade)
Due 11 pm on 10/10 and 11/14
There are two, on-line, self-administered quizzes to direct your attention to the text reading.
Reaction Papers (3 @ 10% each for 30% of final grade)
Due dates shown on Course Outline
Reaction papers are short essays targeted at specific readings assigned to the class. The readings are the subject of class lecture and discussion, and the papers are due after we present the material in class. Prepare by carefully reading the assigned material, take notes, and come to class prepared to discuss it or ask questions. Then prepare your reaction paper.
Each reaction paper will be a titled essay of 1000- 2000 words, and will include:
1. Issues raised: What is the reading(s) about, what are key issues raised?
2. Significance: Why are the issues significant?
3. Critique: What are strengths and weaknesses in context of issues raised?
4. Questions/Comments: Identify questions? How does the article relate to other readings or issues?
LEARNING GOALS AND ASSESSMENT
The following section identifies how this course fits with the learning goals defined by the Anthropology faculty. It provides students and faculty some guidelines for assessing student achievement and teaching. Assessment in the Anthropology Program is based on the mission statement:
The mission of the Anthropology Program at Utah State University is to prepare students for careers requiring skills and knowledge from a synthesis of the liberal arts and natural sciences. Graduates in anthropology are broadly thinking individuals exhibiting intellectual depth, effective reading and writing skills, and the ability to solve problems that span the humanities, the natural sciences, and the cultural diversity characteristic of the modern world.
Course-Specific Learning Goals (Program goals shown in italics, course goals shown in plain type)
Disciplinary Knowledge
• Know the nature, intent, and scope of anthropology (cultural, biological, archaeology, linguistics).
Class contributes to this goal by tracing the history of anthropology and exposing students to the primary
literature in the development of anthropological thought.
• Know the epistemologies of the humanities and of the sciences as they pertain to anthropology. The
history of anthropology is essentially about epistemology - ways of knowing and the knowledge
gained through diverse epistemologies.
• Develop recognition of and respect for human differences. The course contributes to this goal by
requiring students to apply the same values to the history of anthropology that they would to cultural
diversity in general.
Methods of Inquiry
• Ability to compare and contrast major theoretical perspectives. This is the central goal of the course. Assessment employs on-line chat room and topical discussion tools. The Semester Writing Assignment and the three Reaction Papers also provide means for student’s to assess their progress.
• Familiarity with a range of anthropological methods. While this course is not about methods per se,
theory shapes method. Students should be able to articulate how methods are associated with theories.
Skills and Career Competencies
• Comprehend reading material appropriate to course levels. Comprehension of sophisticated reading
material is the central skill evaluated in this course by several different means. Students have the
opportunity to evaluate their reaching comprehension in verbal contexts through class discussion, in on-line chat/discussion contexts, and in the Reaction Papers and the Semester Writing Assignment.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral forms. Both of these skills are amply reflected in the
course assignments and grading system.
• Conduct library research using modern methods. This is not a research class per se, but some library
research is required for the Semester Writing Assignment.
• Use a computer for written work and for research. Class is web-assisted and all assignments and quizzes are on-line.
• Be able to think critically about issues that require synthesis of perspectives from the humanities and the sciences in a culturally diverse world. This is a central element of the course. Critical thinking can occur in many forms, but an understanding of theoretical thought perhaps represents the most synthetic form of critical thinking. Isn’t this why the great theorists are so well remembered: Newton, Einstein, Marx, Darwin?