Faculty Syllabus

Assignments and Grading Policies

1. Weekly Discussion Posts and Replies: In these posts, you will write your thoughts and opinions on the readings/texts by answering a discussion prompt. Each post requires one quote with an in-text citation from the course materials and should be a minimum of 200 words in length. I will post the discussion prompts on Monday. You must post your own entry before seeing your classmates’ posts. These posts will be due every Friday at midnight. You will also be required to reply to the posts of two other students in the discussion thread. These replies should be a minimum of 75 words each. These replies will be due every Sunday at midnight. Be thoughtful, analytic, and courteous in your responses.

2. Exams: You will have two cumulative exams during the semester to address your understanding of the reading/media assignments through multiple choice and short answer questions. Each exam has a 75-minute time limit, so be sure that you are prepared before beginning them. Exams are due on Sunday at midnight.

3. Response Papers and Journals: You will write two original and analytic short essays in response to the subject/themes assessed in course modules. These should be argument-driven papers that address a specific issue and are supported by the course materials. Each double-spaced response paper should be 2-3 pages in length and should include a bibliography and in-text citations as necessary. You will also conduct two field observations. During these observations, you will take field notes and then analyze what you experienced. These assignments will be due Sunday by midnight. See specific instructions for each of these papers/journals in the corresponding course modules.

4. Final Project: For your final project, you will write a research paper based on your own field study. You will conduct field research, take field notes, analyze the data collected, and present the results in a critical 3–5-page paper. In advance of turning in your final paper, you will submit a project proposal and collect and analyze data from your field research. You will receive feedback on these components, and you can use it to revise your paper before submitting it.

All assignments are due at midnight on the assigned day and should adhere to all formatting, citation, grammatical, and spelling standards.

Grade Percentages for Each Assignment Group

• Discussion Posts and Responses = 30%
• Journals and Response Papers = 25%
• Exams = 20%
• Final Project = 25%

Cultural Anthropology

ANTH 2531

Spring 2026

Distance Learning

SCHEDULE

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester. Any changes will be announced in class and/or via Blackboard Announcement and/or within the course module.

Week One: January 20- January 25

Introduction to Anthropology and to Each Other

Read:

Chapter 1: “Introduction to Anthropology.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 3-27

Miner, Horace. 1956. “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema.” American Anthropologist 58 (3): 503–7.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Macat. 2016. “An Introduction to the Discipline of Anthropology.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5aglbgTEig.

Assignments

*Download textbook and explore course in Blackboard.

*Self-Introduction Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Self-Introduction Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Discussion Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Syllabus Quiz Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Two: January 26-February 1

The Culture Concept

Read:

Chapter 2: “The Culture Concept.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 29-43.

Geertz, Clifford. 1973. “Thick Description: Toward and Interpretive Theory of Culture.” In The Interpretation of Cultures., 3–30. New York: Basic Books.

Trouillot, Michel-Rolph. 2003. “Adieu, Culture: A New Duty Arises.” In Global Transformations : Anthropology and the Modern World, 97–116. New York : New York 

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

The Art of Making Meaning, dir. 2015. How to Write an Effective Field Note. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp2UQQt4MdI.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Three: February 2-February 8

Fieldwork and Methods in Anthropology

Read:

Chapter 3: “Doing Fieldwork: Methods in Cultural Anthropology.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 45-68.

Malinowski, Bronislaw. 1961. “Introduction: The Subject, Method, and Scope of This Inquiry.” In Argonauts of the Western Pacific, 1–27. Dutton.

Sterk, Claire E. 1999. “Fieldwork on Prostitution in the Era of AIDS.” In Tricking and Tripping: Prostitution in the Era of AIDS, 33–45. Putnam Valley, NY: Social Change Pr.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Shannon, Jen, and Chip Colwell. n.d. “The Deep Roots of Navajo Country Music.” Sapiens. Accessed November 19, 2021. https://www.sapiens.org/culture/navajo-country-

AnthroNotes Videos, dir. 2016. Ethics in Anthropology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5zD_1J_WeQ.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Journal One Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Four: February 9-February 15

Language

Read:

Chapter 4: “Language.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 70-94

Maltz, Daniel N., and Ruth A. Borker. 1983. “A Cultural Approach to Male–Female Miscommunication.” In Language and Social Identity, edited by John J. Gumperz, 196–216. Studies in Interactional Sociolinguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511620836.013.

Optional:

Irvine, J. T. and S. Gal. 2000. Language Ideology and Linguistic Differentiation. In Regimes of Language: Ideologies, Polities, and Identities. P. V. Kroskrity, ed. Pp. 35–84. Santa Fe: School of American Research Press.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Mike Mena, dir. 2022. LANGUAGE IDEOLOGY: A Masterclass (Irvine & Gal 2000). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHf1cpL6Rjc.

32.0

MTV Impact, dir. 2018. Why Do People Say “AX” Instead of “ASK”? | Decoded | MTV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-VnitbeS6w.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Five: February 16-February 22

Subsistence

Read:

Chapter 5: “Subsistence.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 96-115.

Brause, Holly. 2022. “The Uncertain Future of New Mexico Chile: Can a Heritage Crop Adapt to Water Scarcity?” Gastronomica 22 (4): 26–36.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Andrew Millison, dir. 2022. Chinampas of Mexico: Most Productive Agriculture EVER? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86gyW0vUmVs.

TED, dir. 2018. See How the Rest of the World Lives, Organized by Income | Anna Rosling Rönnlund. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4L130DkdOw.

“The Story of Stuff.” 2007. The Story of Stuff Project. December 1, 2007. http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-stuff/.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Response Paper One due Sunday at Midnight

Week Six: February 23-March 1

Economics

Read:

Chapter 6: “Economics.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 119-143.

Wolf, Eric. 2010. Europe and the People Without History. University of California Press. Berkeley: (Pp. 1–23)

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

The School of Life, dir. 2014. POLITICAL THEORY - Karl Marx. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSQgCy_iIcc.

The School of Life, dir. 2014. POLITICAL THEORY - Adam Smith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejJRhn53X2M.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Seven: March 2-March 8

Political Anthropology

Read:

Chapter 7: “Political Anthropology.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 148-176.

Rosaldo, Renato. 1994. “Cultural Citizenship in San Jose, California.” Political and Legal Anthropology Review 17 (2): 57–63.

Optional:

Anderson, Benedict. 2016. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. Revised edition. London New York: Verso. (Selections)

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Rocha, Joe, dir. 2016. Austin Revealed | Austin Revealed El Despertar. Austin PBS. https://www.pbs.org/video/austin-revealed-austin-revealed-el-despertar/.

Academic Educational Materials, dir. 2016. Imagined Communities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbJ85UMTn_4.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Journal Two due Sunday at Midnight

Week Eight: March 9-March 15

Family and Marriage

Read:

Chapter 8: “Family and Marriage” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 182-202

Nanda, Serena. 2000. “Arranging a Marriage in India.” In Stumbling Toward Truth: Anthropologists at Work, edited by Philip R. DeVita, 196–204. Waveland Press.

 Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

TED, dir. 2022. Why US Laws Must Expand Beyond the Nuclear Family | Diana Adams | TED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dtwId4MO-E.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Exam I

March 16-March 22

~~~Spring Break~~~

Week Nine: March 23-March 29

Race and Ethnicity

Read:

Chapter 9: “Race and Ethnicity.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 204-228)

Crenshaw, Kimberle. 1991. “Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color.” Stanford Law Review 43 (6): 1241–99.

Tang, Eric, and Bisola Falola. 2018. “Those Who Stayed: The Impact of Gentrification on Longstanding Residents of East Austin.” Austin, TX: The University of Texas Institute for Urban Policy Research and Analysis.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Lazo, Kat. n.d. Dear Latinx, Let’s Check Our Privilege. June Baby Productions. Accessed August 14, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddGpg1nLQxo.

Chose two video shorts to watch for today from the “East Austin Stories" Archive from The University of Texas: https://www.youtube.com/user/eastaustinstoriesorg

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Ten: March 30-April 5

Gender and Sexuality

Read:

Chapter 10: “Gender and Sexuality.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural

Anzaldúa, Gloria. 1987. “Mestiza Consciousness.” In Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza, 77–91. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books.

Abu-Lughod, Lila. 2002. Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others. American Anthropologist 104(3):783–790.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Olita at Bravò, Ivan. 2017. Third Gender: An Entrancing Look at Mexico’s Muxes | Short Film Showcase. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ZvDRxZlb0.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Response Paper 2 Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Eleven: April 6-April 12

Religion

Read:

Chapter 11: “Religion.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 286-301

Lara, Irene. 2005. “BRUJA POSITIONALITIES: Toward a Chicana/Latina Spiritual Activism.” Chicana/Latina Studies 4 (2): 10–45.

Gmelch, George. 1992. “Superstition and Ritual in American Baseball.” Elysian Fields Quarterly: The Baseball Review, All Star Issue 11 (3): 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02908325

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Vox, dir. 2017. The “Ethnic Cleansing” of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims, Explained. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04axDDRVy_o.

TED, dir. 2014. "Kwame Anthony Appiah: Is Religion Good or Bad? (This Is a Trick Question)." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2et2KO8gcY.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Twelve: April 13- April 19

Globalization

Read:

Chapter 12: “Globalization.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 304-328

Steger, Manfred B. 2017. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction. 4th edition. Oxford, United Kingdom ; New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (Selections).

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

“Zapatista Uprising 20 Years Later: How Indigenous Mexicans Stood Up Against NAFTA ‘Death Sentence.’” n.d. Democracy Now! Accessed August 22, 2023. http://www.democracynow.org/2014/1/3/zapatista_uprising_20_years_later_how.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Final Paper Outline Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Thirteen: April 20- April 26

Borderlands Anthropology

Read:

Alvarez, R. 1995. The Mexican-US Border: The making of an anthropology of borderlands. Annual Review of Anthropology 24:447- 70.

Martínez, Elizabeth. 2017. “A Word about the Great Terminology Question.” In De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century, 1–3. London: Verso.

Choose One:

Menchaca, Martha. 2022. The Mexican American Experience in Texas: Citizenship, Segregation, and the Struggle for Equality. Austin: University of Texas Press. (Selections)

Chappell, Ben. 2013. “Introduction.” In Lowrider Space: Aesthetics and Politics of Mexican American Custom Cars, Reprint edition, 1–30. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

McCardell Jr., Jackie, dir. n.d. The Economy Furniture Strike. Austin, TX: Paradigm Shift Multimedia, ACC Center for Public Policy and Political Studies. Accessed January 14, 2025. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN9ZJq2tdZQ

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Fourteen: April 27-May 3

Applied Anthropology

Read:

Chapter 14: “Culture and Sustainability: Environmental Anthropology in the Anthropocene.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 357-379

Chapter 17: “Health and Medicine.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 425-441

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

East Austin Stories, dir. 2009. HOLLY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj4mHmOBA04.

Rentería, Rene, dir. 2012. Environmental Justice - Shutting Down Holly Street Power Plant (Austin,TX.). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLN_z4_n5E4.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Final Project Journal Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Fifteen: May 4-May 10

Performance

Read:

Chapter 15: “Performance.” In Perspectives: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 2nd edition, 382-403

Watch/Listen:

Instructor Video(s)

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight

*Replies Due Sunday at Midnight

*Exam II Due Sunday at Midnight

Week Sixteen: May 11-May 17

Final Projects and Reflections

Read:

No reading assignments this week

Watch/Listen:

No media assignments this week.

Assignments

*Discussion Post Due Friday at Midnight (No replies needed for this discussion post)

*Final Projects Due Friday at Midnight

Cultural Anthropology introduces the student to a holistic study of culture. The major elements of human social behavior, material culture, and cultural diversity are studied as adaptations to social and environmental change--past and present. This course will allow students to apply general anthropological knowledge and skills to everyday life and their chosen careers, to apply the course towards an associate degree at Austin Community College, and to prepare them for success in upper division courses in Anthropology at other institutions.

1. PSLO 1 - Cultural Relativism-Apply cultural relativism and understanding to issues of multiculturalism, globalization, or cultural difference.  
2. PSLO 2 - Cultural & Biological Adaptation-Describe and analyze the ways that humans have adapted biologically and/or culturally to their surroundings over time (e.g.,reflect on different subsistence strategies, types of social organization, or other variables, etc.)
3. PSLO 3 - Research Methods & Theories-Explain, plan, and conduct original research based on observations and/or scholarly review of scientific writings using appropriate anthropological theories and methods.