MEDAILLE COLLEGE AGASSIZ CIRCLE BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14214

FALL 2011 COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: Introduction to Anthropology Class time: Tues/Thurs 8:00 9:25 AM Classroom: MAIN 101 Course Number: APY100, Section 01 Number of Credits: 3.0 Prerequisites: None

FACULTY INFORMATION Instructor: K. Patrick Fazioli Office: MAIN 226 Email: kpf27@medaille.edu Phone: 597-5173 (cell) Availability: Tues 4:00 5:00 PM, Wed 3:45 5:45 PM, Thurs 11:15 12:15 PM (or by appointment) STATEMENT ON DISABILITIES Any student with a disability who believes he/she needs accommodation(s) in order to complete this course should contact the Academic Support Center as soon as possible. The staff in the Academic Support Center will determine what accommodations are appropriate and reasonable under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Academic Support Center is located in Huber Hall, Room H107, and can be reached by phone at (716) 880-2338. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Medaille College expects students to fulfill academic assignments independently and honestly. Any cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonestly at Medaille College will be penalized, with sanctions ranging from an F on specific assignment to expulsion from the College. CAMPUS EMERGENCY CLOSURE In the event of a campus emergency closure, please log on to your Bb Vista course link at http://learning.medaille.edu to continue with your course requirements and to communicate with your instructor. You should access this course link early in the semester to familiarize yourself with it. Report any access or usage problems to the course instructor. A. CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE An overview of anthropological theory and research, including sub-fields of the discipline with particular emphasis on cultural anthropology B1. STUDENT GOALS 1. Through class lecture and interactive exercise, students will gain a greater understanding of the underpinnings of human society and how it has changed over time 2. To develop an awareness and understanding of the breadth of human life, and the countless variations which mark us all as individuals 3. To develop an awareness and understanding of the science of anthropology B2. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. To learn the nature and definition of anthropology 2. To gain strategies to help prepare students for more rigorous study in anthropology and other social sciences 3. To understand more fully the foundations of humanity 4. To learn and discuss current and historical ethical dilemmas 5. To understand the biological and practical basis for all human relationships 6. To learn of the role of order 7. To learn of the challenges facing humanity in the future

MEDAILLE COLLEGE AGASSIZ CIRCLE BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14214

C. OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT (A) Key Concepts in Anthropology The Four Fields of Anthropology Fieldwork & Dating Methods Evolutionary Theory (B) Origins and Development of Humanity Early Hominids & Origins of Culture The Rise and Spread of Homo sapiens The Agricultural Revolution The Ancient Maya: A Case Study (C) Exploring the Elements of Culture What is culture? Patterns of Subsistence and Economics Sex, Marriage, and Family Kinship and Descent Race, Identity, and Human Variation (D) Science, Ethics & Anthropological Critique Scientific Racism: Past and Present What does it mean to be 98% chimpanzee? Cultural Relativism and Human Rights

D. MEANS OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING Three minor in-class assessments covering lectures, readings, homework, etc. (30 min) One major in-class cumulative assessment (during Finals Week) A critical writing assignment of 6 8 pages (details to follow)

30% (total) 15% 20%

Responses to weekly reflection questions posted on Bb Vista, based on assigned 25% (total) readings (typically due Tuesdays) Class attendance and participation: earned by attending class on a regular basis and 10% coming as a willing participant in class discussion, activities, and exercises (see below) PLEASE NOTE: Grading of student papers will reflect Standard English usage. The MLA and APA bibliographic styles are generally used at Medaille. E. COURSE ATTENDANCE AND ETIQUETTE POLICY Regular attendance in this class is mandatory, and class attendance will be taken daily. More than three (3) unexcused absences will adversely affect your grade. If you miss a class, please make provisions to get the notes from a classmate; the instructor does not distribute his lecture notes. Disrespectful or distracting behavior in class will not be tolerated. Also, absolutely no cell phone use (talking, texting, web browsing, etc) is permitted during class. Any student who violates these two simple policies will be dismissed and marked as absent. F. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS 1. Tattersal, I. The World from Beginnings to 4000 BCE. Oxford University Press, 2008. 2. Marks, J. What It Means to Be 98% Chimpanzee: Apes, Peoples, and Their Genes. University of California Press, 2002. Both books are available for purchase in the bookstore or online. Additional readings will be posted on Bb Vista. G. IMPORTANT DATES First Assessment Book Choice for CWA Due Second Assessment Withdrawal (Pass/Fail) Deadline Extended Outline for CWA Due

9/29 10/25 10/27 11/4 11/15

CLASS CANCELLED Third Assessment NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break) Critical Writing Assignment Due Final Cumulative Assessment

11/17 11/22 11/24 11/29 Finals Week