Spring 2017 ANTH 304 Sections 50/51 16820/16819

ANTH 304: Traditional Cultures of the World

Instructor: Professor Joseph Nevadomsky
Department of Anthropology: MH-426
E-mail: [email protected] This is the preferred method of contact, and all e-mails will
be answered within 24 working hours. (All emails to me must have the Course Name AND
Section Number in the Subject line and signed with your real name, or they will not be read).
Office Hours: Tu &Th: 7:30 8:30 am & 11:15 12 Noon: MH426F or by appointment

This course satisfies C.3.b and Z* GE categories

A description of how this course meets the GE learning goals is posted on Titanium
This course includes Two researched Writing Assignment

Course Description
This course offers a TWO BOOK summary of various cultural traditions in North
and South America, Asia, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, the Middle
East, and Africa. The emphasis is on those societies anthropologists refer to as
hunting and gathering, pastoralist herders, horticultural, and agricultural
societies. Using synopses from ethnographies written by anthropologists, the
course examines some of the amazingly diverse ways invented by people to
successfully survive in various environments from rain forests to deserts, from sea
level island societies to cultures that thrive in alpine landscapes. Although
subsistence methods and ecology are an important part of the course, also covered
are the kinds of social behavior, social institution, rituals and religion that are
associated with economic behavior. Material on social change, globalization,
nationalism, migration, and the environment, is also included.

In addition to the TEXTBOOKS, a number of films and film clips have been made
available as supplementary reference material (see Appendix). Even though you
will not be tested directly on the contents of these films, you are strongly
encouraged to view as many of them as possible to help with your understanding
and appreciation of cultural diversity. (See Course Requirements.)

Prerequisite
Any lower division anthropology course; or a course in GE categories III B-2 or B-
3, or III C-1 or C-2; or permission of the instructor (granted in advance).

Required Texts
1. Culture Sketches: Case Studies in Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011). Holly
Peters-Golden is the author and McGraw-Hill is the publisher. This edition
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includes new materials on global issues such as how societies cope with
earthquakes, AIDS and environmental events of contemporary importance
and concern.
2. The second text is Jared Diamonds New York Times Bestseller titled The
World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn From Traditional Societies (2012)
published by Penguin Books. The focus is on how the environment and
ecology are important to how people behave, and what we can learn from
these societies for the present and future.

Both textbooks are in paperback. They are available new and used.

How to Use These Texts

The textbooks for the course were chosen, not just for their content but also for
their lucid and engaging style. Professors and students asked to evaluate these
books have commented on their readability and thoroughness. To get the most out
of them in preparation for a test, it is best to read each chapter at least twice: the
first time for general information about the subject culture or topic, and the
second time to take notes. During the first reading, you bring your curiosity to
discover the basic facts about the cultures or issues in question. For Culture
Sketches, their geographical location, their relative size, their worldviews, cultural
practices, beliefs and life styles, etc. For The World Until Yesterday, the ideas
expressed, and the usefulness of cultural practices for the modern world, are
important. Then in your second reading, you take brief notes about terminologies,
concepts, and the unique features of the group or topic to serve as reference later
when reviewing for the test. Shortly before you take the test, refresh your mind by
going over your notes. The last thing you want to do is to waste time flipping
through the textbooks in search for answers to specific questions. This not only
creates distraction and pressure, but it also leads to panic as the time rolls by.

Test Questions
The student should understand that the questions are designed to test
comprehensive knowledge of the information provided in the textbooks. No
questions are designed as trick questions; instead, the use of various question
formats (such as, Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-Blank and True/False) is designed to
allow students with different learning experiences a fair and reasonable chance to
do well in the course. This is especially true of a GE course where students from
diverse disciplines are enrolled.

One of the things to note is that, with multiple choice questions, it is always
important to understand that even though it may often be possible to make a case
for more than one of the four options usually provided, there is always one that is
the most appropriate in the context of the question, and therefore the correct one.
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There is usually a process of elimination involved, and if youve read the text
carefully, it is usually quite easy to eliminate the less appropriate answers.
Another thing you want to watch out for is questions with a negative qualifier in
their phrasing. For example, in the question below:

Which of the following US states is not part of the North American mainland?

Select one:
a. Texas c. Alaska
b. Hawaii d. California
Your choice of (a), (c) or (d) would suggest that either you overlooked the negative
in the question, or your geography of the US is weak.

Like a DMV test, or any institutional measurement, the aim is a testing of the
knowledge about the subject or text, and not a reflection of actual skills. In a sense,
such tests are also meant to train students for test environments in American
society. Most of the questions have been pretested and evaluated.

Study Guide and Extra-Credit

1. No study guide is provided because one is not necessary. For Culture Sketches
each chapter is a summary of a full-length monograph on that particular culture
and therefore serves as a study guide or summary of that culture. For The World
Until Yesterday each chapter explores environmental and cultural practices that
may be relevant to the present. The chapters in Culture Sketches are relatively
short while in The World Until Yesterday, the chapters are long, but very readable
because they are written in a narrative form. For a proper comprehension of
chapter material please follow the advice above.
2. No extra credit is offered. The grade for the course is based on assignments and
activities as listed.

Learning Goals for Anth 304 as a General Education (GE) Course

This course satisfies the requirements for GE Category III.B.3 [Implications,
Exploration, and Participatory Experience in the Arts and Humanities] and Category
V [Cultural Diversity].

Course Learning Goals

As you complete this course, you should:
Understand broad, unifying themes in the social sciences from cross-
disciplinary perspectives
Solve complex problems that require social scientific reasoning; improve
critical thinking skills
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Be able to relate the social sciences to significant social problems or to other

related disciplines
Acquire an understanding of the traditional lifeways of various cultural
groups worldwide
Consider how the constraints of climate and environment contribute to
shaping culture
Learn how societies adapt culturally to environmental, political and social
change
Gain an appreciation for both the differences and similarities in the human
experience

Course Requirements
1. Tests
There are SIX OBJECTIVE TESTS (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, true-false)
that will be given at the designated times in the CLASS SCHEDULE Section of this
syllabus. It is your responsibility to note the period during which each test will be
available in Titanium. Please read the assigned chapters. Each test is based on
only the material from the assigned readings for each designated period. Thus,
each test is independent and non-cumulative. Each test is pre-timed for 45
minutes, with 40 questions per test.

2. Required Short Essays

There will be TWO short essays, based on selections from the two textbooks for the
course. Each essay is designed to provide opportunity to demonstrate your ability
at critical thinking, comparative analysis, lucid writing skills and thoughtful
reflection, as the case may be. Each essay assignment will be available in the
Titanium at least 4 weeks before its due date, to give ample time for completion.
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Summary of Requirements and Grading Scale (please note +/- grading)

Each of 6 Tests: 45 minutes, 40 points; Each of 2 short essay: 10 points

Total Points Possible: 260 points
Letter Grade Assignment
A= 94-100% A- = 90-93%
B+ = 87-89% B= 84-86% B- = 80-83%
C+ = 77-79% C= 74-76% C- = 70-73%
D+= 67-69% D= 64-66% D- = 60-63%
F= 59 and below

Other Information and Policies

Makeup Tests: NONE.
Assignments: Assignments are due as scheduled. Note that once a test is accessed it
must be completed in the allotted time during that session. THERE WILL BE NO
SECOND CHANCES. Make sure you are familiar with Titanium testing
procedures.

Important Information for Test Takers

1.) For any technical difficulties during a test session, stop immediately and DO
NOT try to work around the problem. Instead, take a print screen of the error
message(s) displayed by the system to document your experience. Then send a
report (including the print screen(s)) to Technical Support for assistance, and copy
me (your Instructor). This will help me to assess your situation and also make it
easier for Technical Support to troubleshoot the reported technical problem. Note
that if you fail to comply with the above procedure, no attention will be paid to
whatever technical issues you may have.

2.) For any computer or exam errors that are my fault, I will rectify and make
suitable adjustments.

3.) Each test is made available at specified times in a three calendar day period
during which you are expected to choose the time most convenient for you to access
it and take it within the allotted time. Failure to take the test during the three-day
availability period, FOR ANY REASON, will result in a zero score for that test,
and this is non-negotiable.
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4.) Each test is programmed to enforce ONE ATTEMPT only. This means that
once you access a test, you must complete it and submit your answers at that
session before leaving the test environment. Remember, NO SECOND
CHANCES!

5.) If you leave a test session without properly submitting your answers, not only
may your answers not be saved, but you will also be permanently locked out of the
test environment. If this happened for VERIFIABLE technical reasons (such as
campus power failure, official shutdown of access, etc.) you may be given a second
chance to re-take the test.

6.) If the cause of an abnormal exit from your test session is determined to be due
to equipment or connection failure at your end, you will not be given a second
chance to complete or re-take the test. So it is very important that you ensure the
reliability of your equipment and internet connection before you access the test.

7.) If you are not familiar with the test environment in Titanium, youd be advised
to take the test early in the availability period, rather than waiting till the last hour
of the last day. That way, if you run into any technical difficulties, you will have
ample time to get help from the Help Desk before its too late.

8.) There are no extra options such as extra-credit opportunities, or late make-ups.

9.) There are no reminders of test dates or times. The dates and times are those
listed in the syllabus, and in the Test Announcement in Titanium. Test-takers have
the responsibility to know and remember those dates.

10.) Grades are not curved.

11. As an online course, access to all class materials and activities is available
through the internet usually from anywhere in the United States. However, if, for
any reason, you find that you have to travel internationally during the semester,
you are strongly advised to first consult with the IT Dept. regarding access to the
campus online network from your proposed international destination before you
embark on your trip. If the IT Dept. determines that you might have difficulty
accessing Titanium from your target destination, you must contact me (your
instructor) by email immediately to discuss possible options before you embark on
your trip. If you fail to comply with the above directives, no attention will be paid
to whatever internet access issues you may encounter during your international
travel.
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12.) Issues regarding any test must be addressed within 5 days after the availability
period of the specific test. After that period, all matters relating to the test are
considered closed.

Please note that the responsibility for your passing the course or your grade is
entirely yours. The rules and guidelines applicable to tests and grading above, and
as spelled out in the introductory instructions to each test in the Titanium, are
quite explicit. You are strongly advised to familiarize yourself with them. They
apply across board and will not be waived or modified arbitrarily or on individual
basis.

Academic Misconduct
Please consult the Student Handbook for University policies on academic
misconduct. Examples include cheating on tests, or plagiarism [representing
someone elses work (including information from the internet) as your own,
without acknowledgment]. Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Violations will result in a failing grade for the assignment, or exam, and potentially
a failing grade for the course. The Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs, has
produced a guide on how to avoid plagiarism, which can be accessed at
http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/judicial/Plagiarism.htm.

Other Helpful Links

Academic Calendar: http://www.fullerton.edu/academiccalendar/
CSUF Policies on Academic Integrity: (see UPS 300.021)
Information about students rights to accommodations for documented special
needs via the Disabled Student Services Office, UH 101 (657) 278-3117 or as
documented at http://www.fullerton.edu/DSS/

Use of Titanium and Computer

This course is offered as a WEB class, accessed through Titanium, a web-based
application made available by the university. All course-related materials, such as
syllabus, reading, exams, visual materials, grades and other resources are accessed
in Titanium. The use of a computer and access to the Internet are required to
participate. In addition you will need to be familiar with the terminology and
online environment you will be working in and have the technical skills to function
effectively in an online course.

Academic Integrity Student Guide

Please go to http://www.fullerton.edu/integrity/student/
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Use of Email in Online Course
Please make sure that the e-mail address listed for you on Titanium is the
one you use and check regularly. All CSUF students receive a student e-mail
address, but you may have it changed to another one you prefer to use (e.g.
yahoo.com or gmail); remember that it is your responsibility to arrange this.
Receiving email for this class is YOUR responsibility, and it is YOUR
responsibility to verify your correct e-mail address.
All emails to me must have the Course Name and Section Number in the
Subject line; please sign with your real name. Failure to comply with this
requirement will leave your email unread.

COURSE ACTIVITIES

Required Essay
There will be TWO short essays, based on selections from the two textbooks for the
course. Each essay is designed to provide opportunity to demonstrate your ability
at critical thinking, comparative analysis, lucid writing skills and thoughtful
reflection, as the case may be. Each essay will be available in the Titanium at least
4 weeks before its due date, to give ample time for completion. Check the schedule
below for the scheduled time for each essay.

CLASS SCHEDULE

WEEKS 1&2: January 21 February 3

South Pacific cultures (Samoa & Trobriand Islands): social relations and notions of reciprocity.

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 12: The Samoans: Matai and Migration

Chapter 14: The Trobriand Islanders: The Power of Exchange

Diamond (2012):

Prologue: At the Airport

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REQUIRED ESSAY #1: Available from 7:00 a.m. 1/29/2017 7 p.m. 2/26/2017
ONLINE TEST #1: Available from 7:00 a.m. 2/1/2017 11 p.m. 2/3/2017
___________________________________________________________________

WEEKS 3 - 5: February 4 February 24

The Roma in Europe; Haiti and its history, present and future; the Aztecs and who they were and
are today. Emphasis is on social change and both historical and contemporary cultures.

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 11: The Roma: Romanpipe, Rights and the Road Ahead
Chapter 2: The Aztecs: Ancient Legacy, Modern Pride
Chapter 4: Haiti: A Nation in Turmoil

Diamond (2012):

Chapter 10: Speaking in Many Tongues

ONLINE TEST #2: Available from 7:00 a.m. 2/22/2017 11 p.m. 2/24/2017
_____________________________________________________

WEEKS 6&7: February 25 March 10

Geography and ecological zones. Hunting and gathering among the Tiwi of Australia; hunting
and gathering in the Kalahari Desert among the Ju/hoansi.

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 6: The Ju/hoansi: Reciprocity and Sharing

Chapter 13: The Tiwi: Tradition in Australia

Diamond (2012):

Chapter 8: Lions and Other Dangers

ONLINE TEST #3: Available from 7:00 a.m. 3/8/2017 11 p.m. 3/10/2017
_____________________________________________________
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WEEKS 8 & 9: March 11 March 24

Subsistence strategies, cultural adaptations to diverse environments and how environment
influences culture; food-gathering and horticulture in the Amazon rain forest (Yanomamo) and
the Ojibwa in North America.

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 15: The Yanomamo: Challenges in the Rainforest

Chapter 10: The Ojibwa: The People Endure

Diamond (2012):

Chapter 1: Friends, Enemies, Strangers and Traders

ONLINE TEST #4: Available from 7:00 a.m. 3/22/2017 11 p.m. 3/24/2017
_____________________________________________________

SPRING RECESS Official Break: March 27 April 2

WEEKS 10 - 12: April 3 April 23

Horticulture in southeastern Sudan (Azande); pastoralists in the southern Sudan (Nuer); Mideast
pastoralism and its historical and ecological background (Basseri).

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 1: The Azande: Witchcraft and Oracles

Chapter 9: The Nuer: Cattle and Kinship in Sudan
Chapter 3: The Basseri: Pastoral Nomads on the il-Rah

Diamond (2012):

Chapter 9: What Electric Eels Tell Us About the Evolution of Religion

REQUIRED ESSAY #2: Available from 7:00 a.m. 4/15/2017 7 p.m. 5/13/2017
ONLINE TEST #5: Available from 7:00 a.m. 4/21/2017 11 p.m. 4/23/2017
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_____________________________________________________

WEEKS 13 - 15: April 24 May 13

The island of New Guinea, geography and ecological zones; Vietnam: Colonial history and
discovery, culture contact and change; Highland peoples of PNG (Kaluli), Vietnam (Hmong),
& Indonesia: migration and family systems (Minangkabau).

All assigned readings below are from the assigned textbooks, Culture Sketches: Case Studies in
Anthropology, 6th Edition, (2011), by Holly Peters-Golden and The World Until Yesterday (2012), by
Jared Diamond.

Read:
Holly Peters-Golden (2011):

Chapter 5: The Hmong: Struggle for Perseverance

Chapter 7: The Kaluli: Story, Song, and Ceremony
Chapter 8: The Minangkabau: Matriliny and Merantau

Diamond (2012):

Chapters 3: A Short Chapter, About a Tiny War

Chapter 4: A Longer Chapter, About Many Wars

ONLINE TEST #6: Available from 7:00 a.m. 5/17/2017 11 p.m. 5/19/2017
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Appendix: Supplementary Films and Film Clips:

(Please note that, to run any of these films online, you need to hold down the Ctrl key as you click on
the link).

A: Introductory Anthropology:
How Beliefs Define Culture
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/misc/how_beliefs_define_culture/player.html

Humans_who_are_we
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/john_mcdermott/humans_who_are_we/player.html

Understanding race
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/john_mcdermott/understanding_race/player.html

Kinship and Descent

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/john_mcdermott/kinship_and_descent/player.html

How to Behave
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/how_to_behave/player.html

"PATTERNS OF SUBSISTENCE: FORAGERS & PASTORALISTS" (Faces of Culture Series #207); 25 min.
Patterns of Subsistence:
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Patterns%20of%20Subsistence/player.html

"THE FOOD PRODUCERS: HORTICULTURE & AGRICULTURE" (Faces of Culture Series #208); 25 min.
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Food%20Producers/player.html

ECONOMIC ANTHROPOLOGY (Faces of Culture Series #211); approx. 25 min.

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Economic%20Anthropology/player.html

ECONOMICS & POLITICS (approx. 3 min):

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/economic_and_political/player.html

B: South East Asia:

House of Spirit: Perspectives on Cambodian Health Cure
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/house_of_spirit/player.html

The Split Horn:

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/john_mcdermott/Split%20Horn/player.html

C: The Kalahari Desert:

Bitter Melons
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/bitter_melons/player.html
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E. The South Pacific:
Releasing the Spirits: A Village Cremation in Bali http://distance-
ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/releasing_the_spirits/player.html

The Goddess and the Computer

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/goddess_and_the_computer/player.html

F: The Nuer:
The Nuer
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/the_nuer/player.html

G: Papua New Guinea:

Trobriand Cricket: An Ingenious Response to Colonialism http://distance-
ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/trobriand_cricket/player.html

Dani Sweet Potatoes

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/dani_sweet_potatoes/player.html

Palm Grubs and Jungle Edibles

http://distance-
ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Palm%20Grubs%20Jungle%20Edibles/player.html

Harvesting Sago 1
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Harvesting_Sago1/player.html

Harvesting Sago 2
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Harvesting_Sago2/player.html

Harvesting Sago 3
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/Harvesting_Sago3/player.html

H: The Yanomamo:
The Ax Fight
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/the_axfight/player.html

A Man Called Bee

http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/a_man_called_bee/player.html

The Feast
http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Linda/the_feast/player.html