CULTURES TODAY: AN100

SECTIONS: A & B
ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAM
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Fall 2021

Instructor: Victor A. Gulewitsch (goo-lay-vich)

Email: [email protected] Please do not write to me using the MLS built in email tool, please just use
your regular @mylaurier email account.
Office: Zoom meeting virtual office hours by appointment only for Fall 2021 term.
Office Hours: An individual Zoom meeting appointment day and time may be pre-arranged by email.

Class Times: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Section A=10:00-10:50 Section B=11:30-12:20 these times are
important even though we will not meet in a classroom each day, some important class activities will take
place during these days/times. Wednesdays are most important as they will be devoted to our weekly live
Zoom lectures and class discussions.
Class Room: Temporarily suspended- Weekly live Zoom lectures will be on Wednesdays and a recorded
Zoom lecture will be posted on MLS by Friday each week. You can use the Monday or Friday lecture times
to view the recorded lectures or work on other assignment activities that will replace regular classroom
activity. See Zoom Meetings menu/schedule in MLS.

Calendar Description
This course is an introduction to the study of world cultures, focusing on the exploration of ethnographic
case studies and the development of inter-cultural understanding through a problem-based approach,
including participation in the Community Action Project developed by the Center for a Public
Anthropology.

Course Description
This course is intended to introduce students to the diverse ways people go about the task of being
human, relating to one another and to the world around them. It explores the rich cultural diversity of
the world’s peoples and explores the reasons why people choose the cultural options they do. Humans
demonstrate a broad range of cultural possibilities that emerge from each society’s efforts to structure
their worlds, conduct business, organize families, practice spirituality, settle legal disputes, resist
exploitation, and generally facilitate survival in different environments. Ethnography is a unique
anthropological undertaking that involves both the development of on-the-ground familiarity with
culturally diverse realities, and the writing of analytical descriptions that enable us to understand the
world from another culture’s point-of-view. The reading material for the course is a problem-based text
called Sociocultural Anthropology by Robbins et al. and a custom AN100 reader by Pearson publishing
comprising short ethnographic accounts on a variety of topics from around the world. The course
material introduces students to issues of current anthropological significance in addition to enhancing
knowledge on the acquisition of cross-cultural knowledge through the methods of ethnographic
fieldwork and analysis of field data.

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Covid-19 Changes

Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19 many aspects of this course will go differently than in a
normal in-class semester. The course will proceed with a combination of activities which the students
can work through on their own as they are scheduled. We will have weekly live (synchronous) Zoom
lectures every Wednesday in real time for class lectures and discussions, and weekly recorded
(asynchronous) video Zoom lectures to accompany the weekly readings and topics. I will also make an
effort to provide students with access to relevant websites and videos to enhance their learning
experience. Because of this situation it is important that students have access to a computer or
compatible device with a WebCam. All assignments, with the exception of the Public Anthropology
assignment, will be uploaded to labelled Drop boxes to be found under the Dropbox tab in MLS on the
assignment’s due date by 11:59 PM. Please check the home page/News section of the MLS home page
before class on each class day for any further instructions. The regular class days and times are
important to observe and will still be relevant despite that we are not physically meeting. Mondays and
Fridays are self-directed days that you can use to read, watch the recorded lectures and work on your
assignments.

Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are to (1) emphasize the underlying unity of humankind (2) help appreciate
the differences and similarities in the cultures of humankind (3) promote cross-cultural understanding
and (4) assist students with how to use this knowledge in the understanding of contemporary social
issues. A variety of short writing assignments have been designed in keeping with the course objectives
(above) and outcomes (below) and to promote and build individual critical thinking and writing skills.
Students will participate in an international Public Anthropology which is hosted by the Centre for
Public Anthropology in Honolulu Hawaii. It is a modest writing project about attitudes around climate
change. Students will also write two reflection papers on engaging questions that emerge from course
readings and lectures. Class group discussions (of 4 or 5 students per group) will be held on three
Wednesdays and will provide students with a forum for exchanging ideas with their peers as they
participate in focused group exercises. Students will be encouraged to apply their anthropological
knowledge to local and global issues of anthropological significance. The skills learned through these
assignments and projects will assist in developing intercultural understanding in addition to promoting
transferable, practical experiences that translate into flexible useful skill sets. Students majoring in any
subject or working in any field should benefit from the knowledge and skills acquired through this
course.

Learning Outcomes
This course introduces students to the anthropological perspective in addition to key anthropological
skills, namely, the ability to:

1. Demonstrate a holistic understanding of societal and cultural processes.

2. Employ a cross-cultural approach to understanding social, political, economic and religious
issues
3. Situate past and present cultural phenomena both at the local and global levels.

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 4. Acquire analytical, critical thinking and writing skills that are useful for your future.

The skills developed would enable students to:

1. Advocate for cultural diversity and the value of Indigenous knowledge.

2. Identify and explain the role of power, race and social inequities in shaping people’s lives.
3. Design and develop verbally persuasive arguments and express them in written form.
4. Demonstrate self-awareness and appropriate interpersonal skills in cross-cultural settings.
5. Assess, prioritize, and strategically apply anthropological skills and knowledge in diverse life
situations.

Course Organization
Twelve issues or themes have been selected reflecting current interests and concerns within
anthropology. The selected issues and themes are organized around the course text book and twelve
selected readings compiled by Pearson publishers into an AN100 custom reader. While the lectures will
engage with the material from the text and the reader, they will not be delivered as a summary of the
readings. Lectures will go beyond the course material to engage with relevant issues of contemporary
significance. The lectures will include material outside the readings such as important concepts and
background material related to the weekly themes. Full lecture notes or slides will not be posted online.
You can find a weekly lecture outline containing important concepts, terms and ideas (including some
prominent anthropologists) on MLS under “CONTENT/LECTURE INFORMATION” for each week as the
term progresses. Student participation is essential with three Wednesdays of the term being devoted to
group discussions and exercises on specific questions emerging from course material. Guest speaker
events may also be held on some other class days. The grade for participation will be assigned based on
attendance, participation and written contributions from the three discussion Wednesdays. There are
no additional assignments to substitute for missed discussions. Students can gain some additional marks
by taking/sending a draft of their reflection papers or the Public Anthropology letter or to the Laurier
Writing Centre for help, advice and valuable bonus marks. More information and instructions on the
assignments and exams is published in this outline and is also posted on MLS in more detail under
CONTENT/ASSIGNMENTS & TESTS.

Course Outline: Please pay close attention to this course outline which will help you navigate your way
through the course including material to be read each week, assignment information, weekly topics,
deadlines for assignments and projects, information on class discussions etc. do not just read it at the
beginning of term, revisit it periodically and note all assignments and due dates. Make and keep a
printed copy of the outline with you for easy reference. Most of what you need to know about the
course is in this course outline. MLS is also an equally important resource which contains more detailed
information of many of the things mentioned in this course outline under headings found under
MLS/CONTENT. The final part of this outline covers university rules, services, regulations, class rules and
etiquette.

Required Books: Available through the WLU bookstore. See also Content/Textbook Information
(Available as digital resources, see purchase messages from Pearson and the Bookstore near the end of
this outline after class policies) YOU NEED BOTH OF THESE BOOKS!

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1-Sociocultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach by Richard Robbins, Maggie Cummins and
Karen McGarry. 2021. Title- (4th Canadian edition), Cengage/Nelson Canada. This should be available
through the bookstore’s digital textbook access program in electronic form. The 3rd Canadian edition is the
previous text, and while it is very similar, some content has changed significantly and all of my page
number references in will be incorrect. The 4th Canadian Edition is now the official text so make sure you
get that one.

2-Custom AN100 Reader by Pearson, a very small book based on 12 selections from a larger book
collection of readings originally published by James P. Spradley, David W. McCurdy, and Dianna Shandy
in 2016. Paper copies of the AN100 Reader may still be available through the bookstore, or for a direct
digital copy, follow the directions in the book information/purchase section on page 12 of this outline.

All of the course readings are from these two books; Sociocultural Anthropology, the text published by
Cengage, authored by Robbins, Cummings and McGarry and the custom AN100 Reader from Pearson
publishing. There are no other substitutes for these two texts and you will use 100% of each book.

Instructional Assistants (IA’s)

These helpers are senior undergraduate students, most of whom have helped me in previous terms.
Each of you will be assigned to one particular IA out of the 4 assigned to your class. A list of the students
under each IA will be posted online under Content/ Who is my IA? It is your responsibility to find out
and know who your IA is. The class list is divided into smaller groups by surname, so look at the list and
see where your surname fits in and that person will be your IA . You will work with that IA over the term;
you can ask them for any required help or clarification about your assignments and grades by email.
Your IA’s will also act as your mentors, mark assignments and keep track of your grades and attendance
and generally help you with the course. Please contact them directly if you have questions pertaining to
any of the above.

Library Reserve

Copies of both books can usually be borrowed from the library reserve desk on short term loan, but I
am not sure if this is an option at present, please ask library reserve staff if you are interested.

Zoom Lectures/ Video Participation

I am rather unhappy that we will not meet in person this term, but I will make every effort to provide
some weekly live video lecture content and also pre-record a weekly lecture which you may view at your
own convenience. It would be best to keep up your viewing of the lectures to correspond with the
weekly assigned chapter material. A typical week would have me deliver the live lecture on a
Wednesday for fifty minutes and then I will record the remainder of my lecture on that week’s topic
and post it by Friday. Click on the Zoom Meetings tab at the top of your MLS page to find any Zoom
recordings or other scheduled live Zoom meetings that may take place from time to time. I ask for your
patience over the term as this technological shift is still something fairly new to me going forward.
Please see University policies on the use of Zoom in the policy section near the end of this outline. Live
Video Lectures: Many students are reluctant to turn on their video during live lectures and I find this
reluctance somewhat difficult. It’s hard enough to teach a class from my office at home, and it is more
difficult when I’m not getting much active video participation. It’s okay if you’re not comfortable

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attending with your video on all of the time, but I would really appreciate it if you would turn on your
video for at least part of the time we spend together. It is also important to use your video with your
peers when we do our class discussions.

AN100 A&B READING SCHEDULE (weekly readings & assignments, see MLS for details)

Week One: September 10-17: Introduction: Anthropology Matters-Applying Anthropology

How can people begin to understand beliefs and behaviours that are different from their own?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology text (Robbins, Dowty, Cummings & McGarry): Chapter
1- Pg. 2-8 & 25-35
Orientation to course, materials and evaluation requirements. What is Anthropology? The four
traditional fields and applied anthropology. Understanding humans in a global/ cultural context. Science,
research, humanism and colonialism.
AN100 Pearson Reader: David McCurdy: Using Anthropology: Pearson: Reading 1

Week Two: September 20-24: Culture Matters: Culture and Meaning

Is it possible to see the world through the eyes of others?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 1- Pg. 8-25 (Digital Text opt out deadline is
September 24, 2021)
Definitions of culture, culture and adaptation. Subcultures and popular culture. How we study culture.
AN100 Pearson Reader: Richard Lee: Eating Christmas in the Kalahari: Pearson: Reading 2

Week Three: September 27-October 1: Doing Field Work-Anthropological Research

How do sociocultural anthropologists learn about culture?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 2
Anthropology research methods, fieldwork and participant observation. Ethics and representations of
culture.
AN100 Pearson Reader: George Gmelch: Nice Girls Don’t talk to Rastas: Pearson: Reading 3

Week Four: October 4-8: The Meaning of Progress and Development

How do we explain the transformation of human societies or the past 10,000 years from small scale,
nomadic bands of foragers to large-scale, urban industrial states?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 3
Subsistence strategies and social organization, foraging, horticulture and the transforming power of
agriculture. Industry, economic development and health. Colonialism and slavery.
AN100 Pearson Reader: Nathan Williamson:Illegal Logging and Forest Conservation Pearson: Reading 4

Discussion Wednesday #1 on Cultural Differences takes place on Wednesday October 6th

at regular class time on Zoom.

October 11 – 15 is Thanksgiving and fall reading week, take time to catch up on your reading and
assignments and relax a little before we start up again.

Note: The Online Mid-Term Test found on MLS under Quizzes is next week on Friday, October 22nd, you
may take it over any 2 hr. period between 10am and 4 pm, you may start the exam at any time between

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these times and will have two hours to complete it, all students must have it completed by 6 PM. See
MLS content/assignments and tests for prep information and more details. Students registered with the
ALC (assisted learning centre) will have any extra time that they are entitled to, built into their exam.

Week Five: October 18-22: Constructing Realities: Religion & Worldview

Why do people believe different things, and why are they so certain that their view of the world is correct
and that other views are wrong?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 4
Cross cultural concepts of natural and supernatural, magic, witchcraft, sorcery and religion. The
universality of religious belief, theories and explanations of religious phenomena. Social functions of
religion and ritual. Cults, sects and religious organization. Politics, ideology and religion. Gendered
aspects of religion and culture change.
AN100 Pearson Reader: George Gmelch: Baseball Magic Pearson: Reading 5
Horace Minor: Body Ritual among the Nacirema: Pearson: Reading 6
Online Mid-Term Exam can be found under Quizzes: Friday October 22 from 10 am – 4 pm (see MLS
Content/Assignments & tests for preparation tips and more details.)

Monday October 25th the ACTION PERIOD for your PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY LETTER BEGINS (also
referred to as the Community Action Project, hosted by the University of the Pacific, in Honolulu
Hawaii. Make sure you are now registered; this involves paying a $15USD by credit card directly to
Public Anthropology. Those that do not have a credit card can perhaps have a parent, guardian or friend
charge it to their card and then reimburse them. This requirement is part of the course and is mentioned
in the calendar, course outline and other materials, missing this assignment would negatively impact
your final grade.
Deadlines: Your letter submissions are due to the Public Anthropology website: Friday, October 29
@11:59 pm. The following week you will evaluate other people’s papers and these peer evaluations will
be due on Friday, November 5th @11:59 pm. There is an optional/extra, short letter that you can write
for 2 additional bonus marks which is due on Wednesday, November 10@11:59 pm. (Completely
optional). Students will begin reading the material for their essay on climate change on the website and
begin writing their letter for submission to the Public Anthropology website. Dr. James Southworth
from the Writing Centre has recorded very helpful advice and tips on both phases of the assignment,
writing the letter and evaluating other people’s letters You can find more information in this outline and
on MyLs/Content and on the Public Anthropology website once you register for the project.
Participation is very important to your success in the course. Please let me know if you have any
circumstances that make it difficult for you to register, I may be able to help.

Week Six: October 25-29: Constructing Families & Social Relationships

What do we need to know before we can understand the dynamics of family life in other societies?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 5
Kinship and descent rules, meaning and functions of descent groups. Why study kinship? Social vs.
biological understandings of kinship. Cultural construction of kinship. Defining family in a cross cultural
context. Family group structures, marriage, the economics of marriage, marital residence patterns love
and sex.
AN100 Pearson Reader: Melvyn Goldstein: Polyandry: When Brothers Take a Wife Pearson: Reading 7

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ACTION PERIOD for PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY BEGINS on October 25th -Your Assignment Letter is Due
On Friday October 29th @11:59pm Next week’s peer evaluations begin on Monday November 1 and are
due on Friday November 5th.

Week Seven: November 1-5: Constructing Identities

How do people determine who they are, and how do they communicate who they think they are to
others?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 6
Identity and ethnicity, personality and rites of passage. Collective identities, social movements, gifts and
commodities. Aspects of the self.

AN100 Pearson Reader: Mikaela Rogozen-Soltar: Becoming Muslim in Europe Pearson: Reading 8
Wednesday November 3 is Discussion #2 on the Importance of Worldview at regular class time.

ACTION PERIOD for PUBLIC ANTHROPOLOGY PAPER CONTINUES: Submission of completed peer
evaluations are due on November 5th. The optional extra bonus points letter worth 2 marks is due the
next week on November 10 (Optional assignment).

Week Eight: November 8-12: Globalization, Neoliberalism and the Nation–State

How are the nation-state, globalization, neoliberalism linked together, and what are the economic and
cultural effects of globalization?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 8
Nation-states and market economies, economic subsidies, free-trade, transnational corporations,
international trade organization, free-trade.
AN 100 Pearson Reader: Theodore C. Bestor: How Sushi Went Global Pearson: Reading 11

Reflection Paper #1 on Culture, Morality and Objectivity is due to the DROPBOX in MLS by Friday,
November 12 by 11:59 pm.

Week Nine: November 15-19: Social Hierarchies: Race, Caste & Class
Why are modern societies characterized by social, political, and economic inequalities? How are certain
gender, class, racial, and other identities privileged or marginalized in various social contexts?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 7, Pg. 184-195
Age, gender, religion, race, caste and perceived human differences. Special interest groups, differential
entitlements to goods and power.
AN100 Pearson Reader: Philippe Bourgois: Poverty at Work: Office Employment and the Crack
Alternative Pearson: Reading 9

Wednesday November 17 is discussion Wednesday #3 on Globalization at regular class time.

Week Ten: November 22-26: Social Hierarchies: Sex and Gender

How is gender a form of social hierarchy?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 7, Pg. 196-212
Sex and gender. The social construction of sex and gender, gender options. Gender, race and
class. Gender stratification and male privilege.

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AN100 Pearson Reader: Jessica Smith Rolston: Women in the Mine: Pearson: Reading 10

Week Eleven: November 29-December 3: Resolving Conflict

How do societies give meaning to justify various forms of conflict resolution, both peaceful and violent?
Required Readings: Sociocultural Anthropology, Chapter 9
Evolution of political systems and the maintenance of order. Systems of political order: bands, tribes
chiefdoms, early and modern state societies. Religion, politics, ideology and the legitimacy of power.
State encapsulated indigenous people. The maintenance of internal social control.
AN100 Pearson Reader: Anne Sutherland: Cross-Cultural Law: The Case of an American Gypsy Pearson:
Reading 12

Reflection Paper #2 on Managing Identities is due to the DROPBOX in MLS on Friday, December 3rd by
11:59 pm.

Week Twelve: November 29-December 3: Final Lecture Indigenous People in Canada, anthropology,
history and colonialism, moving beyond the legacy. Concluding obsevations, Advice & prep for the final
exam.

Study and Reading Advice:

 Identify the main theme, author’s argument, evidence for arguments and conclusions in each
ethnographic selection in the Pearson custom reader. Think about what you learned, the
insights gleaned from the reading and any questions it raises. Think about how culture in the
example may determine people’s beliefs and behaviour.
 With regard to the Sociocultural Anthropology text, identify the important terms, concepts and
ideas in each chapter, (key terms are highlighted in each chapter) take note of the
anthropologists/social scientists that are mentioned, learn the definitions provided and
summarize in your mind, the contents under each sub-heading in the text.
 As indicated in the Sociocultural Anthropology text, each chapter is organized around one main
question and several sub questions, exercises and critical thinking questions. Think about how
these questions may be relevant in other cross-cultural examples.
 The lectures will complement the material from the texts but will not go over every item and
detail. It is your responsibility to identify the most important issues, terms/concepts/ideas
relating to each week’s theme from both the text and the reader. The lectures will help students
apply the knowledge learned each week to other issues of contemporary significance.
 Ask your prof or IA if you are confused or have unresolved questions that are not in this outline
or are posted on MLS. Please consult these before you email us for answers.

Contacting Your Professor

You will find email contact information and information about office hours under Content/Prof Email and
Office Hours. Requested office hour visits will be conducted through Zoom meetings at a mutually agreed
upon day and time. Please email: [email protected] and remember to use your @mylaurier email
account and not the email tool built into MLS.

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Assignments and Evaluations Short Summary:

Many answers about assignments and instructions for specific assignments can be found on MyLs under
Content/Assignments and Tests. Students must check MyLs every week for updates, new information,
instructions, reminders etc. When you login pay attention to the News section on the homepage as I will
post important information there. It is your responsibility to keep track of all weekly course
requirements, due dates and resources.

20% Class Participation/Discussions: Based on your personal submitted paper documentation of the
three Wednesday discussions and in-class exercises. To be handed in to Dropbox that day after the class
dicussions by 11:59 PM. 1=Cultural Differences on October 6th. 2= Worldview on November 3rd,
3= Globalization on November 17th. Report on the group discussion experience, note ideas, differences
of opinion. More info on MLS look for content/assignments and tests/.

15% Two Short Reflection Papers: Dropbox Due Dates:

#1=Culture & Morality- November 12th @11:59pm #2=Identities December 3rd @11:59pm

15% Public Anthropology Letter: Is to be done between October 25th and November 5th
(Student cost is $15 USD that must be paid by credit card, see below and MLS for more details.)

25% Online Mid-Term Test: on October 22, the online test will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and
you will have 2 hours to complete it after you begin the test.

25% Final Exam: the online exam will also be open for a few hours around the official exam time on that
day, consult the official WLU exam schedule once it is published. Multiple choice and true/false format
final exam.

Bonus Marks are available for those who get Writing Centre help with any of the writing assignments,
the reflection papers and the Public Anthropology letter. (up to 6 marks, 2 per visit, to a maximum 3
visits). There is also an optional short bonus assignment from Public Anthropology that you may
complete for an additional two bonus marks (see Public Anthropology website for details).

Regarding Assignment Deadlines, IA’s & Tests

Assignments that are submitted after the deadline date without any explanation will not be marked by
your Instructional Assistant. All assignments - other than the Public Anthropology letter and peer
evaluations of that paper, which are submitted to the Public Anthropology website, are due to be
uploaded to the appropriately labelled MLS Dropbox by the deadline dates. Permission to submit an
assignment late is best obtained prior to a due date. All requests for extending the deadline for
assignments must be directed to your professor and must be accompanied by proper documentation.
Assignments will not be re-evaluated; there are no alternative assignments to improve your grades or
to make up for missed assignments, make the most of the scheduled assignments. All of the discussion
and reflection papers will be marked by our Instructional Assistants.

December EXAM PERIOD: Students are advised not to make travel commitments during this time.
Request for deferring the final exam due to ill health or family emergencies, must be directed to the

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Dean of Arts Office through the appeal process. Profs have no power to approve deferred exams. This
semester our final exam will be an automated online exam much like the midterm.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be found under the Quizzes tab of MLS. I will post the date and time of
your final exam when it becomes available. The final exam will be similar to the midterm, an automated
online exam featuring multiple choice and true false questions. The focus of the final will primarily be on
material covered since the midterm. Information on how to prepare for the final will be posted under
MLS/content/assignments and tests/Final.

Assignments and Evaluation Details

Class Participation/Discussions: 20% Based on in-class work and written submissions. Students who are
absent on Wednesdays for a legitimate medical reason must email me to discuss their participation
mark for that week. These are not marks given for attendance only, but also for the submitted work
which documents your discussion. A grade out of 10 will be awarded for participating and for the quality
of your written documentation of that day’s discussion.

Reflection Papers: 15% Instructions on how to write a reflection paper and the specific assignment
details with the questions to reflect on, can be found on MLS under Content/ Assignments & Tests.
There are two reflection papers, the due dates are noted above. It is hoped that the quality of the
student’s reflection papers will improve as the term progresses.

Public Anthropology Project: 15% (more details below, on MLS and the Public Anthropology website)
Participation in this assignment is a required part of the course and there is an additional $15 U.S. fee
associated with participating that must be paid to Public Anthropology by credit card. Based on your
letter’s grade and your completed evaluation of your peers work. Students will write and upload a short
letter on the topic of climate change using the provided research material on their website. The
following week students will evaluate four papers written by other people, while their letter will be
evaluated by four other people. No external research is required for this project. Students who do not
complete all the evaluations or neglect to evaluate a paper based on all of the criteria provided may be
given a ‘0’ grade. The letter and all four of the peer evaluations must be completed to receive a grade
for this assignment. Students who wish to improve their grades can complete the extra bonus letter
offered by Public Anthropology (2 marks).

Online Mid-Term Test: 25% October 22 The midterm is found under the Quizzes tab and will be open
from 10 am and 4 pm for a 2 hrs. period of your choice. The Mid-Term Test will cover all the material
from lectures and the two texts up to and including Week 5 of the term. Please ensure that you take the
online test early so that you can correct any technical problems you may encounter with help from
MyLs. If you do encounter a problem, please contact MyLs at [email protected] or [email protected]

Online Final Exam: 25% The final exam date will be posted as soon as it is scheduled. The exam will be
based on topics covered after the Mid-Term Test. The final exam is an online automated exam that you
will find under the Quizzes tab, a document to help you prepare for the final will be provided on MLS
under Content/Assignments & Tests/final. Please ensure that you take the online test early so that you

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can correct any technical problems you may encounter with help from MyLs. If you do encounter a
problem, please contact MyLs at [email protected] or [email protected]

Bonus Marks (Writing Centre Help): The writing Centre is not currently taking live appointments for
obvious reasons but you can go to their website that you will find on the WLU website and make an
appointment using their services virtually. Bonus marks up to a total of 6 marks will be provided to
students who: take their Public Anthropology letter and/or reflection papers to the writing Centre for
help before the assignments are submitted online. Two marks will be given for each use of the writing
centre’s services. As proof of your visit to the writing centre, you must upload the details of your
appointment to the dropbox I have set up in MLS. It is under the dropbox tab look for the bottom one.
These bonus marks are particularly valuable because they are added directly to your final grade
calculation and are not just associated with the assignment.

Class Policies:

Course Requirements: All components of the course are compulsory. A student who does not do the
work or attend lectures and discussions may not obtain the necessary marks required to pass.
Class Attendance: As per University Policy, a student must have 80% class attendance in order to sit the
final exam. It is my experience that student attendance is crucial for performing well on the tests since
you can learn much from engaging with your peers and instructor. It is also a habit you can start
cultivating at the first year level which will hold you in good stead throughout your university career.
LECTURE NOTES WILL NOT BE POSTED ONLINE. While lectures will relate to course readings, they will
also contain material that is not in your readings based on my own research and interests. If you miss
lectures, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes from your peers. Attendance will be noted on
discussion Wednesdays when class discussions and/or guest lectures take place. The attendance and
classroom etiquette rules are necessary to make online delivery work so basically these policies apply
despite the lack of a physical classroom.

Class Etiquette: Out of respect for your professor and peers, please refrain from leaving the Zoom class
during a lecture unless it is necessary. Please use respectful/professional language when communicating
by email with your professor or your IA’s. Electronic communication etiquette is expected on a
professional level.

Classroom Use of Electronic Devices: Much of this does not currently apply but I’m always in favour of
advice to spend less time on devices whether you’re at home or at school. Research clearly shows that
the use of electronic devices can be distracting during learning and can also disrupt the learning of
others. Therefore, the use of technology such as cell phones is not permitted in this class. Cell phones
must be turned off and out of sight during lectures. Students who are seen using their cell phones
during class will be called out. Laptops may be used in this course for educational purposes, i.e., taking
notes. Laptops must be turned off during class discussions and exercises on Fridays. Off-task use (e.g.,
Facebook, Instagram, Texting, YouTube, Twitter, Games etc.) is not permitted and will result in your
device being confiscated for the reminder of the class and/or you will be asked to leave the classroom.

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MyLearning Space: There are Web based components to this course. Please check MLS regularly for
course news and updates, weekly lecture topics, assignment instructions and more. Many resources can
be found under CONTENT/. You can access MLS at: http://mylearningspace.wlu

Discussions: Under discussions you will find a section called Ask Your Prof? Where you can post
questions or look for answers. This is a good place to ask questions as others can benefit from the
answers I give. I have also created a group called, Student Discussion Group and Peer Help where you
can ask questions and offer solutions to other students or discuss your opinions of topics.

Frequently asked Questions can be accessed @ MLS under ‘Content/ where you will find information
about the public anthropology project and about obtaining and using the lockdown browser for exams.

Public Anthropology: Project summary can be found on MLS under Content/Assignments and Tests.

Link to Public Anthropology is www.publicanthropology.net.

This Course Outline can always be found under MLS/Content/Course Outline.

Weekly announcements and messages can be found under “News” on the home page you arrive at
when you login so please check this area regularly for any updates and announcements.

Students can access their grades by using the ‘Grades’ tool in MyLearningSpace.

Email: Please use [email protected] to contact me. Please do not use the e-mail tool found within
in MLS! Please just use your regular @mylaurier account.

Book Purchase Info:

E-Book Custom AN100 Pearson Reader Purchase Information: How to Redeem Your Access Code or
Purchase Book Online

If you would like to purchase a digital copy of the custom Pearson Reader for AN 100 “Cultures Today”
for $19.50 you can get instant access online following the link below:

Step 1: Go to: https://console.pearsoned.com/enrollment/ufbxlx

Step 2: Click “Buy Access for $19.50” or Redeem the access code purchased from the bookstore
Step 3: Sign in if you have used a Pearson product before OR Create a new account
Step 4: Purchase access using a credit card or paypal account
From now on, you can log in from http://console.pearson.com

Bookstore Info:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS ACCESSING MyLearningSpace and the e-text
1. How do I log into MyLearningSpace (MyLS)? a. Login to MyLS at https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca. This
takes you to a single sign on page for MyLS where you can enter your credentials, which are the same as
those used for wifi and (your Laurier) email. b. Information for Laurier students is available here:
https://students.wlu.ca/services-and-spaces/tech-services/accounts-and-passwords.html.
c. Once logged in then scroll down to My Courses

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d. Select the correct tile for your Course
e. Scroll to content browser for DTA etext & the e-reader platform
f. Please ensure you read the instructions thoroughly and do not pay for access to the e-text online
through the Publisher website as your Laurier student account will be charged.
g. If your course is using an e-text resource that utilizes the Vitalsource Bookshelf e-reader please ensure
you download the e-reader to your device(s) – up to 4. You will realize all the features of the e-reader
(notes, highlighting, text to speech etc.) and be able to access your resources offline anywhere, anytime!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS
Paying for and opting out of Digital Textbook Access
1. Billing for DTA resources
a. The charges for the DTA resources will be billed to your LORIS Account after the opt out deadline
b. The charges show up as a line item with the code DBK and the charge for the e-text
c. The charges typically appear on your Laurier account approximately 4 weeks after the start of the
term and an invoice payment deadline is included.
d. You can pay your invoice as follows;
i. Online Banking – set up as a bill payment and ensure you use your Laurier Student ID # as the Account
# when setting up the payee online
ii. Service Laurier – you can pay your invoice at the Service Laurier office using debit card. (Please note:
Service Laurier does not accept cash, credit card or cheque)
e. If your invoice is not paid by the deadline and there are outstanding charges on your account there
will be a HOLD applied to your account and your grades will not be released until the charges are paid.
2. Digital Textbook Access – Opting out
a. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK YOUR @mylaurier.ca email regularly during the first 2-3 weeks of your
course.
i. You will be sent a Welcome email outlining how the Digital Textbook Access program works
approximately 1 week prior to the start of classes
ii. One week prior to the opt out deadline you will be sent the first communication about how to opt out
if you do not want to continue using the DTA resources or you have secured the resources elsewhere.
iii. One day prior to the opt out deadline you will receive another communication regarding the opt out
process and deadlines.
iv. The communications have an opt out link embedded in the email so it is as simple as clicking on this
link and selecting the OPT OUT option. (opt out deadline of September 24, 2021)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU DID NOT OPT OUT
· You have been provided with a temporary license to the digital resources for your course.
· If you chose to remain opted in to the DTA program you will have to access your materials through
your course in MyLearningSpace after the opt out period.
· Clicking on the link in your course will convert your license for the digital resources from temporary to
permanent.
· This step can be completed on or after SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
Should any of your students identify that they are having issues accessing the resources after September
29th, you can direct them to follow this process and the issues should be resolved.
3. If you have questions about this process please email [email protected] and we will respond
promptly.
Bookstore Website FAQ on accessing the DTA resources: https://www.wlubookstore.com/c-201-digital-
textbook-access.aspx

A short YouTube video on the use of the Vitalsource Bookshelf e-reader platform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUApmqGnLMk

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Public Anthropology Community Action Project Overview

THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHALLENGE: FACILATING CIVIL CONVERSATIONS REGARDING CLIMATE

CHANGE

Using the internet to draw students at various universities together into an intellectual community, the
Community Action Website (@ www.publicanthropology.net encourages students to consider important
social issues that lie at the interface of anthropology and the contemporary world. Participating in the
Community Action Website project helps students improve both their critical thinking and writing skills
as well as broaden their perspectives regarding how other students at other schools think about the
same issues they think about.

Given the frequent polarization between “us” and “them” in many countries, the anthropological effort
to communicate across differences is more vital today than ever. Rather than trying to obliterate
differences, anthropology, at its best, allows communities to flourish – not because everyone in the
community thinks or behaves alike, but because they appreciate their differences with one another and
have learned to work together on projects of shared interest despite their differences. Students will
write essays of roughly three to seven hundred words expressing how to bridge the differences
between different perspectives regarding climate change, so communities can work together to address
the problem. Students must observe the word count requirements. Once you register you will be
instructed how to proceed by email and provided with all of the research material required for the
paper, no external sources are required.

Students will pay a $15(USD) registration fee (using a credit card) to participate in the project. They also
will have access to help to assist them with any problems. If you don’t have access to a credit card, you
might ask a parent, guardian or friend for help and reimburse them with cash. Winter reading week
might be a good opportunity to ask a parent or guardian. If you are not registered and time has run out
please contact me for possible solutions. Once registered, students will have a free copy of the e-book
Why a Public Anthropology?, autobiographies of many key figures in cultural anthropology, and full
access to the website and its support.

Students should start registering for the project www.publicanthropology.net immediately or at least
start planning to do so early in the term, getting registered by reading week is a good goal.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: You should be registered by Sunday October 17th; $15 USD is required
by credit card. (Late registrations will still be accepted right up to the start date but registering early is
advised as students may be disadvantaged as there are sometimes issues with registration.

Once you register and the project begins, you will receive daily emails (please check your junk email in
case you don’t). If you have more questions look at the FAQ on Public Anthropology’s website or email
Dr. Rob Borofsky: [email protected]. Once you create an account and the Action
Period begins, you will be guided through the project with emails. The climate change project leader and
webmaster is Dr. Rob Borofsky located at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu. All communication with
respect to the project website must be directed to Dr. Borofsky, the director and webmaster of the

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Public Anthropology project. Only he can address internal technical issues related to payment or
registration issues with their website.

Student Services

Special Needs: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible
Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review
the Academic Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.

Waterloo Student Food Bank - All students are eligible to use this service to ensure they’re eating
healthy when overwhelmed, stressed or financially strained. Anonymously request a package online 24-
7. All dietary restrictions accommodated.

Waterloo Foot Patrol - 519.886.FOOT (3668) - A volunteer operated safe-walk program, available Fall
and Winter daily from 6:30 pm to 3 am. Teams of two are assigned to escort students to and from
campus by foot or by van.

Waterloo Student Wellness Centre | 519-884-0710, x3146 - The Centre supports the physical,
emotional, and mental health needs of students. Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services
Building, booked and same-day appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to
7:30 pm, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Contact the Centre at x3146,
[email protected] or @LaurierWellness. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-844-437-3247
(HERE247).

University Policies

Plagiarism “Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. If requested to do so
by the instructor, students are required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it
checked for plagiarism.”

Academic Integrity

Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values
trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility and
citizenship. Together, we have a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and non-
academic behaviour. The University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. As a
Laurier student you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the accompanying
penalty guidelines, some of which may appear on your transcript if there is a finding of misconduct. The
relevant policy can be found at Laurier's academic integrity website along with resources to educate and
support you in upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance is not a defense.

Instructor’s Intellectual Property

The educational materials developed for this course, including, but not limited to, lecture notes and
slides, handout materials, examinations and assignments, and any materials posted to
MyLearningSpace, are the intellectual property of the course instructor. These materials have been
developed for student use only and they are not intended for wider dissemination and/or
communication outside of a given course. Posting or providing unauthorized audio, video, or textual

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material of lecture content to third-party websites violates an instructor's intellectual property rights,
and the Canadian Copyright Act. Recording lectures in any way is prohibited in this course unless
specific permission has been granted by the instructor. Failure to follow these instructions may be in
contravention of the university's Student Non-Academic Code of Conduct and/or Code of Academic
Conduct, and will result in appropriate penalties. Participation in this course constitutes an agreement
by all parties to abide by the relevant University Policies, and to respect the intellectual property of
others during and after their association with Wilfrid Laurier University.

Religious Accommodation

Students that wish to ask for any religious accommodation are asked to notify their instructor in the first
two weeks of class about any accommodations needed and as soon as possible once the exam schedule
is posted. https://lauriercloud.sharepoint.com/sites/diversity-and-equity/Pages/religious-
accommodations-and-supports.aspx?CT=1576767797169&OR=OWA-NT&CID=9d9a9eca-a9b4-b41a-
f82b-1aba3d43230f

Examination Deferrals

Professors do not have the power to grant final examination deferrals. Requests for exam deferral must
be directed to the Dean’s office. The academic date section of the calendar clearly states the
examination date period for each semester. Students must note that they are required to reserve this
time in their personal calendars for the examinations. Students who are considering registering to write
MCAT, LSAT or GMAT or a similar examination, should select a time for those examinations that occurs
outside the University examination period. For additional information that describes the special
circumstances for examination deferment, consult the University calendar.

University policy with regard to exam deferrals will be strictly followed. Please note that 'vacation',
'work', 'read schedule incorrectly' or 'forgot' date will not be accepted as reasons for deferring an
exam. Following university policy, medical reasons, family crises, examination conflict and religious
practice are valid reasons for exam deferrals. Valid documentation is required. The same rules will apply
in the case of the mid-term tests. Since requests for exam deferrals must go through the Dean’s office,
please do not email me or contact me about exam deferral.

Privacy
Students’ names may be divulged in the classroom, both orally and in written form, to other members of
the class. Students who are concerned about such disclosures should contact the course instructor to
identify whether there are any possible alternatives to such disclosures.

Zoom for Instructional Purposes (WLU policy)

Wilfrid Laurier University uses a range of technologies to facilitate in-person and remote
instruction. Zoom is currently used for remote course delivery, including lectures, seminars,
and group office hours, which may be recorded, stored and shared through MyLearningSpace for
access by students in the course. For these course activities, students are permitted to turn off their
cameras or use an alternative name to maintain their privacy after they have confirmed this with

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their instructor. Student personal information is collected and used in the course in accordance with
University policies and the Notice of Collection, Use or Disclosure of Personal Information. All exams and
mid-terms in the course that are conducted online will be proctored using only technologies approved
for assessment at Laurier as outlined on this page.

Recording Synchronous Zoom Classes (WLU policy)

Synchronous (live) class sessions will be delivered in this course through a video conferencing platform
supported by the university [Zoom, Teams, Virtual Classroom]. Steps have been taken to protect the
security of the information shared. For more information about Zoom and Office365 (including Teams),
please visit ICT’s Tech Support and Services page. Class sessions will be recorded with the video and
audio (and in some cases transcription) made available to students in the course in MyLearningSpace for
the duration of the term. The recordings may capture your name, image or voice through the video and
audio recordings. By attending in these live classes, you are consenting to the collection of this
information for the purposes of administering the class and associated course work. If you are
concerned about the use or collection of your name and other personal information in the class, please
contact the course instructor to identify possible alternatives. To learn more about how your personal
information is collected, used and disclosed by the University, please see Laurier’s Notice of Collection,
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information.

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