Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - SA 101 D900

Introduction to Anthropology (A) (4)

Class Number: 3164

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Cristina Moretti
    cmorett1@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Th 13:30-14:30 by appointment via Zoom

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:

This course is an introduction to cultural and social anthropology. Some of the key questions anthropologists address are: what is culture, and how does it shape the way we move in the world, organize our lives, and think about ourselves and others? What makes social groups in different regions of the world different, and what do we all share? How are cultures and societies changing with the increasing globalization of contemporary life?

Through lectures, discussions, and small group work, we will learn some of the main anthropological insights and methods that allow us to learn from different people’s lives, ideas, and realities. At the same time, our goal will be to question some of the habits and assumptions that we take for granted in our everyday life. Topics covered in this class will include space and time; inequality; health, illness, and the pandemic; families and kinship systems; gender; the environment; and anthropological research methods.

Grading

  • Paper #1 20%
  • Paper #2 30%
  • Reading quizzes 5%
  • Presentation 10%
  • Asynchronous learning activities 15%
  • Quiz 20%

NOTES:

Grading: The graded assignment structure for this course will be described in the first week of class. You will have weekly note-taking and response assignments (worth at least half your final grade) to support your learning path; group discussion assignments (asynchronous and in scheduled class time), and 2-3 graded essays. The remote learning format in Fall 2020 means that the course will set up so that we can do much of the work for the course asynchronously (on our own time schedules) so you should plan to structure regular blocks of time throughout the week to read, watch/listen, develop notes and responses, and discuss with others. Some flexibility and options in assignments and due dates will be built into course requirements so that you can best manage a path to learning success in this course.

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 Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). 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.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Please see SFU Bookstore website for information on textbook purchase options.

REQUIRED READING:

Kenny, M., and Smillie, K. (2017). Stories of Culture and Place: An Introduction to Anthropology. 2nd edition. University of Toronto Press.

Stocker, K. (2020). Millenial Movements: Positive Social Change in Urban Costa Rica. University of Toronto Press.

Walsh, A. (2012). Made in Madagascar: Sapphires, Ecotourism, and the Global Bazaar. University of Toronto Press.

Other readings will be available through CANVAS and/or the SFU library.

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 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).