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SOC 212: Principles of Anthropology II (3 Credits)
Overview

This course is the second semester of a two-semester sequence (SOC 211 Principles of Anthropology I and SOC 212 Principles of Anthropology II - 3 credits each). This course introduces the theories and principles, which form the foundation of cultural anthropology and linguistic anthropology, subfields of anthropology. Cultural anthropology, also known as social anthropology, is the study of patterns of human behavior, thoughts, and feelings, which are manifested through the shared ideas, values, perceptions, and symbols of a society or group. Linguistic anthropology is the study of human languages, the most distintive feature of the human species.

NOTE: A mandatory one-time online orientation meeting will be held the first week of classes, date and time TBA.

Entry Level Competencies: To be successful in this course, it is helpful to have an interest in cultural anthropology and linguistic anthropology; the ability to think critically; and the skills to do basic computer procedures such as navigate in Blackboard, Internet research, email, and wordprocessing.

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Objectives
 

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

  • Define the concept of culture and the basic characteristics common to all cultures.
  • Describe the process of adaptation and how it applies to culture.
  • Describe the field of linguistics and its three main branches of study: descriptive, historical, and sociolinguistics/ethnolinguistics.
  • Explain the various ways that the self is constructed and how enculturation functions in relation to self, gender, and identity.
  • Define personality and the various factors, which affect personality development.
  • Differentiate the cultural definitions of sex, marriage, family. and households.
  • Differentiate between patrilocal, matrilocal, and neolocal resident patterns.
  • Define kinship and how it forms the basis of social organizations in a culture.
  • Discuss the ways people form groups or are stratified based on age, gender, common-interest associations, and social ranks such as class and caste.
  • Define power and its various forms, roles, and functions in society.
  • Explain the intersection of polictics and religion.
  • Discuss the different types of violent and nonviolent resistance to domination.
  • Define spirituality, religion, and myth and their roles and functions in a cultural system.
  • Discuss the various forms of the rites of passage.
  • Discuss the potential role, function, and challenges of anthropology in a global culture.
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Materials
 

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Grading
 

You can earn up to the following number of points/percentages for the course assignments. 

Assignment
Points
Percentage of Grade
Course Orientation & Quiz
40
4%
Exams (2)
400 (200/each)
40%
Discussion Forums (11)
290 (10/30 each)
29%
Chapter Quizzes (9)
  90 (10 each)
9%
Ethnography Project
185
18%
TOTAL
1000
100%

Your final grade for this course will be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least one (1) exam in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

Grading Scale
A
900-1000 points
B
800-899 points
C
700-799 points
D
600-699 points
F
599-0 points
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Exams
 

There are two (2) online exams in this course.

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ELI Policies and Procedures
 
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Beginning the Course
 

Last Updated: January 2, 2013