Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - SA 101 D100

Introduction to Anthropology (A) (4)

Class Number: 3080

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Kathleen Millar
    kmillar@sfu.ca
    Office Hours: Tues 10:30-12:30 PM, in person / Zoom by appt.

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 the study of human life in all its diversity. By exploring how people have lived differently at other times and in other places across the world, this course will fundamentally challenge your common-sense notions of how the world works and how we ought to live. Anthropology is also holistic. This means that anthropologists study any and all aspects of humanity—language, politics, sports, kinship, spirituality, economies, art, and much more. What makes anthropology unique is not so much what it studies but how it studies. We will learn why anthropologists spend years of their lives immersing themselves in the communities of those they study. They call this method of research “fieldwork,” and you will have a chance to try it out for yourself! We will also learn how to think like an anthropologist—how to understand the viewpoints of others on their own terms and in their broader contexts. Moreover, we will learn why anthropology matters. We will ask how an anthropological perspective can help us solve some of our biggest problems today such as global inequality, polarizing politics, violence, and marginality. And last (but not least!), we will ask why anthropology matters for our own lives.

That is, you will get a chance to explore what anthropology can teach you in your personal life journey about the art of being human.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Develop an anthropological perspective through key concepts in the field including culture, cultural relativism, holism, participant-observation, and ethnography;
2. Gather information about the world using ethnographic research methods;
3. Describe some of the diverse topics and issues anthropologists study;
4. Distinguish an anthropological approach to these topics from approaches in other fields and explain why an anthropological perspective is valuable;
5. Communicate clearly and effectively in written expression and interpersonal dialogue;
6. Apply an anthropological perspective to issues in the world, including those experienced in one’s own life journey.

Grading

  • Participation in tutorials 15%
  • Ethnographic exercises 30%
  • Midterm exam 40%
  • Final reflection 15%

NOTES:

Grading: 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. Students must write the midterm, submit all 3 ethnographic exercises, and participate in at least half of the tutorials for a 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 A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are 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:

All readings are available through the SFU library, Canvas, or online as noted.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.