Syllabus

[print version - pdf file]

Calendar [print version - pdf file]

Online Learning: Contrary to what some may think, online courses are NOT an easy way to take a class. While it is true that online learning offers you, the student, a flexible schedule and control over when you are "in-class," the responsibility for learning rests squarely on your shoulders. This class is reading intensive. You will be reading two chapters or more most weeks. There are also more assignments, several of which take the place of in-class discussion and activities. If you stay on top of the readings and assignments each week, you should do well.

Overview: This course focuses on the dimensions of human culture, including language, subsistence patterns, technology, economics, equality and inequality, kinship, religion, politics, ethnicity, and gender/age status. In the context of studying human culture we will explore how these factors relate to contemporary human problems such as globalization and overpopulation.

Required Texts: Spradley, James and David W. McCurdy. Conformity and Conflict, 12th edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2006.

Kottak, Conrad. Mirror for Humanity: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 6th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill. [also available online at CourseSmart.com (link opens in another window)].

Knauft, Bruce. The Gebusi: Lives Transformed in a Rainforest World. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2005.

Learning Outcomes: Click on this link to review the learning outcomes for the course. Make sure that you are familiar with the outcomes as they are used to calculate your final score.

Online Class Expectations: My expectations of students in online classes include but are not limited to the following:

• keeping up with the readings
• assignments turned in on time
• courteous interaction with fellow students and instructor
• careful reading of instructions
• active participation on the discussion boards
• openness to others' opinions
• self-motivation
• not waiting until that last minute to ask for help

What you can expect from me:

• respectful interaction
• replies to emails within 24 hours; if I anticipate a problem with this, I will post an announcement
• I will check the "Questions for Tori" discussion board daily during the first week of the quarter and thereafter at least every three days
• I will endeavor to have assignments graded within one week of due date

Grades: Follow this link for information on grades and the grading policy.

General Learning Agreement: Follow this link for information on Cascadia's General Learning Agreement.

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