Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - SA 101 D100

Introduction to Anthropology (A) (4)

Class Number: 2699

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Natasha Ferenczi
    nferencz@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 5069
    Office Hours: Thurs 10:15-11:15 (in-person) | Mon 16:00-17:00 (via BB Collaborate Ultra)

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Anthropology asks fundamental questions about how people live and interact in different contexts. Engages with contemporary social life around the world, including the relations among people, ideas, and things. Provides analytical tools to help understand the role of culture and society in our lives. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Anthropology is a field of study focused on the human experience, both past and present, addressing an incredible diversity of dimensions of human life, including, but not limited to, worldviews, belief systems, ways of communicating, food production, healing practices, sensory practices, economic practices, human and nonhuman relationships, and political and ideological relationships. Contemporary works in anthropology also focus on cultural practices as they interact with global processes and power relations, including perceptions and experiences of climate change, biodiversity governance, neoliberal processes, and citizenship rights. Taking a class in anthropology will not require you to memorize facts, but rather generate analytical and critical thinking skills, strong writing skills and sharpened self-awareness, as you examine and reflect upon the role of culture in life, cultural practices in the world, cross-cultural communication issues, and knowledge politics. As a student, you will learn a variety of observational, reflective and analytic approaches to apply in understanding the roles of culture and society, both in your own life, and as we learn about particular groups of people and sociocultural phenomena around the world. Our main text focuses in particular on applied anthropology, providing a thorough overview of the discipline, while also featuring a wide variety of examples of the ways anthropological knowledge can be applied in different work, volunteer and social settings, as well as the kind of social change and justice that can be generated by applying anthropological approaches. We will also read two ethnographies, one situated in Tibet, which explores Tibetan medicine and perceptions of medicine, efficacy and science, the other, focusing on globalization, entrepreneurs, deforestation, and forced displacement in the rain forests of Indonesia. As a class, we will discuss the role of anthropology in contemporary life and debate the ways in which anthropological knowledge can be used to support social justice issues, as well as the ethical considerations needed for such an agenda.

Grading

  • Weekly reading responses 15%
  • Ethnographic exercises 30%
  • Midterm Exam 20%
  • Final Take Home Exam 20%
  • Participation and Attendance 15%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Craig, S. R. (2012). Healing Elements: Efficacy and the social ecologies of Tibetan Medicine. University of California Press. (Available online via the SFU Library)

Print ISBN: 978-0-520273238
ebook ISBN: 978-0-520951587

Ferraro, G., Andreatta, S. & Holdsworth, C. (2018). Cultural Anthropology: An applied perspective. Canadian ed. Nelson Education Ltd.

Print ISBN: 978-0-176532000
VitalSource ebook ISBN: 978-0-176757830

Tsing, A. (2005). Friction: An ethnography of global connection. Princeton University Press. (Available online via the SFU Library)

Print ISBN: 978-0-691120645
ebook ISBN: 978-1-400830596

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.