Human Ways of Life

ANTH 102 Section 7602 Winter 2017

Location: WEB; https://ilearn.laccd.edu
Los Angeles Harbor College
Professor: Michael Robertson

Email: Robertms@lahc.edu
Phone: (310) 233-4698 #4924
Office Location/Hours: ONLINE

Course Description:
This course attempts to define culture and to survey the variety of human life at all levels of sociocultural development from the small-scale, technologically simple cultures to the large-scale
technologically complex ones. Topics described and analyzed include the social institutions, such as
kinship, marriage, family, religion, politics, language, and economics in a cross-cultural perspective.
Student Learning OutcomesAfter taking this course, students will be able to:

1. Apply the ethnographic research method and typical themes of anthropological inquiry.
2. Define the term culture and explain how it impacts the lives of individuals.
3. Compare and contrast the differing subsistence strategies, and/or attitudes towards work, that are found among varying societies.
4. Apply the key concepts and methods of anthropology to appraise how ideals of sex and gender are shaped by cultural context.
5. Compare, contrast and critically assess the effect of globalization and consumerism on the environment.
6. Compare and contrast different kinship and lineage systems, and explain how each affects lifeways in various cultures.
7. Analyze the use of symbolic communication to convey meaning in human culture.

Required Textbook:
Cultural Anthropology: A Toolkit for a Global Age, by Kenneth J. Guest. W.W. Norton Publishing, 2013.
Important Links:
Log in to our course from https://ilearn.laccd.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When you have a question always ask!

QQ: Where is class?

A: This class is 100% web-based; we do not meet on campus. Log in at https://ilearn.laccd.edu.
Q: What do I do when having technical issues with the course, or login problems?
A: I can usually help, so contacting me is the best idea especially during winter session when campus services are limited.
Q: How do I contact my teacher?

A: When you email me, put your name, class section number and/or class meeting day/time in the subject line. If you do not identify yourself, I
will reply asking what section you are in (this is not me trying to be rude, but to answer your question I need to know what class you are in).

Q: How do I submit assignments?

A: Please do not send your assignments to me via email. Unless otherwise stated, upload all assignments to our course Canvas. Please
inform me of any uploading issues immediately.
Q: Do you take late work?
A: No. Anything late can only be made up with valid documentation of an academically acceptable excuse. ALL due dates are clearly
noted beneath an assignment to avoid confusion. Computer problems, Internet connectivity issues, or missing the textbook are not valid
excuses for late work. Please do not email me after an assignment is due to ask if I will accept it.
Q: How do I start?
A: First, log in and watch my introduction video. Then, complete the AnthroPages, including all embedded assignments. This class is
condensed and accelerated for a 5-week period, so your regular participation is required. You can work ahead slightly, but are strongly
encouraged to stay on pace with the rest of class.
Q: Is this class hard? (Yes I am asked this question all the time).
A: Students who log in often and work hard usually get As & Bs. Students who do not log in and work hard get Cs, Ds, and Fs.

How Are Grades Calculated?

Quizzes
Quiz 1 = 60 pts
Quiz 2 = 60 pts
Quiz 3 = 60 pts
Quiz 4 = 60 pts
Quiz 5 = 60 pts


Total = 300 pts

Reading
Questions







Total = 150

Participation

Discussion

Total

Total = 150

Total = 160 points

760 Pts

* The overall points in the class are subject to change slightly; if ever in doubt of your overall grade, please check the grade book on our LMS.
Netiquette Guidelines for Online Students: Distance Learning. The following Netiquette Guidelines are suggestions for success.
Show Professionalism and Courtesy: Exhibit the same professionalism and respect in the online class as you would in the workplace.
Use Correct Spelling and Grammar: Adhere to correct spelling and grammar rules. It is good practice to compose your message in a
word processing program where you can check your spelling and grammar prior to sending. Avoid typing in all capital letters, as this is
considered to be shouting (flaming). Avoid abbreviations and informal language ("I'll C U L8R").
Use a Positive Tone: Before hitting the Send or Submit button, review your message. The ease and speed of the Internet makes it easy to
say something you will regret later. Remember: You are communicating with other human beings, with feelings, sensitivities, and
opinions. When composing a message, ask yourself, "Would I say this to the person face-to-face?"
Follow the Course Discussion Board Guidelines: Make sure that you are posting under the correct discussion topic and read all
postings in that topic prior to posting your message. Keep in mind that different instructors may have different guidelines for
participation and grading.

What is Happening in this Course and When?

Unit

Dates

Jan. 3 Jan. 5

2
3

Course Introduction, Read: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema (PDF)

Read Chapter 2: Anthropology and Culture

Jan. 5 Jan. 8

Read Chapter 3: History and Practice of Anthropology

Quiz 1: Units 1-2

Jan. 8 Jan. 11

Read Ch. 4: Language and Communication

Read Ch. 5: Human Origins

Jan. 11 Jan. 15

Read Ch. 6: Race and Racism

Quiz 2: Units 3-4

Jan. 15 Jan. 18

Reach Ch. 12: Global Economy

Read Chapter 10: Kinship

Jan. 18 Jan. 22

Read Chapter 8: Gender Roles

Quiz 3: Units 5-6

Read Ch. 9: Sexuality

Read Ch. 15: Religion

Jan. 25 Jan. 29

Read Ch. 14: Politics

Quiz 4: Units 7-8

Jan. 29 Feb. 1

Read Ch. 16: Health and Illness

Read Ch. 13: Migration

10

Jan. 1 Feb. 3

Read Ch. 11: Class and Inequality

Quiz 5: Units 9-10
The course closes on Friday, February 3 @ 11:55pm. Please plan your work accordingly.

6
7

What are we discussing online, and what do I need to read before?

Jan. 22 Jan. 25



Welcome to ANTHR 2: Cultural Anthropology. Here are a few things you should know.

First of all, I care about you and your success. I know that each of you has something special to offer. My job is to help you
learn, and I take my job very seriously; just meet me halfway and do your part too. If you are having a problem, life crisis,
struggling in class, please contact me promptly. More often than not I can help.
Next, I LOVE anthropology. I am very lucky to teach a subject that I am so passionate about, and I hope you will share my
excitement for anthropology too.
Finally, I respect you. I respect students as academics, professionals, and individuals. I will never ask you to do something
that does not support your learning (I do not assign "busy work"). Students who work hard impress me greatly, because I
had to work very hard to do well in college. Show me how hard you can work in this class, and it will be a sign of strong
potential for your future academic goals.

Are There Any Policies I Should Know?

Emergency Response Message: Take note of the safety features in and close to your classroom, as well
as the posted evacuation route. The most direct route of egress may not be the safest because of the
existence of roofing tiles or other potentially hazardous conditions. In the event of an emergency it is
imperative that everybody remain calm and take appropriate steps to deal with the situation.
American Disabilities Act: If you are a disabled student and you have need of special services, notify me
at the beginning of the semester. LAHC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities, upon request of the student (in a timely fashion) and upon verification of a
disability.

Student Services: LAHC offers a variety of services to aid in student

success. Look in the schedule of classes to find out about student services
offered. Services include; writing center, skills center, tutoring, library
orientations, etc. If you are having difficulty in the class make an
appointment to meet with me during my office hours early on in the
semester to evaluate your options.
Academic Honesty Policy: Students are expected to abide by ethical
standards in preparing and presenting material which demonstrates their
level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Standards
include, but are not limited to the following areas: 1) Students shall not
plagiarize, this includes: passing off as ones own the ideas or words of
another and/or using creative production without crediting the source. You
may study together but you may not turn in the same work, make sure to
use your own words in completing assignments, 2) Students shall not cheat,
this includes: using notes, aides or the help of other students on tests or
exams in ways other than those permitted expressly by the instructor.
Instructors may deal with academic dishonesty in one or more of the
following ways depending on situation: oral reprimand, assignment of an
F on all or part of the exam, paper, or project, assignment of an F in the course, and/or reporting the
student to the appropriate administrators for disciplinary action. Refer to the College Catalog for further
details as well as ramifications of cheating.
You are responsible for maintaining appropriate conduct while enrolled in classes throughout the Los
Angeles Community College District (LACCD). Students in violation of conduct guidelines (found in the
Standards of Student Conduct policy) are subject to removal from class, suspension, and expulsion.

Reminders for Students

Throughout this semester students will receive reminders through our LMS that will go directly to your
personal email. Please check your email is current so you do not miss anything, because it is your
responsibility to be aware of all deadlines, announcements, and messages.
For students wanting something more, I will be using remind.com this semester to send text message
reminders. If you want, sign up for this free service (standard text messaging rates apply) and you will
receive text messages from me with important reminders, announcements, extra credit opportunities,
etc. Your phone number will be kept confidential, and you can unsubscribe any time (feel free to browse
the privacy policy here: https://www.remind.com/privacy-policy
Interested in friendly reminders from me so you stay on top of the workload? If yes, visit this link from
your smartphone https://www.remind.com/join/d97kka or you can text message @d97kka to 81010.