Dallas L. Browne, Ph.D.   Office: Peck 0211
Anthropology in Contemporary Life Spring 2001 Room: Peck 0405
Anthropology 350, Sec. 001 Time: M,W, F: 1:00-1:50 P.M.
Web page http://www.siue.edu/~dbrowne/ Office Hours 10:00-11:00 A.M./M,W

      Anthropology in Contemporary Life Spring 2001

 Introduction:

Anthropology in contemporary life explores the influence of  culture on contemporary issues.  We will begin by examining the known, American culture and gradually broaden our exploration into the other, unknown or different cultures. Issues examined will include social impact assessment and needs assessment, acculturation, culture change and innovation, ethnic conflict, drugs and needle exchanges, prison inmates, language heritage, baby formula, nuclear waste disposal, uranium poisoning, and cultural responses to drought, starvation and resettlement.

Course Requirements:

1. Book Review: Katherine Newmann’s Declining Fortunes. Worth 5%. Due in class 4/23.

2. Class Project:  You will be expected to participate in the class project, which will be explained in class.  It is worth 15% of your grade. Due dates are as follows:
 

a. Begin gathering data   January 22, 2001.
b. Discuss preliminary findings, February 5, 2001.
c. First draft due in class, March 5, 2001.
d. Final report due in class, March 26, 2001

3. Class presentation: You will be expected to make a presentation in class,  to be explained in class.  It is worth 15% of your grade.

4. Examinations:  There will be three examination scheduled for the  following dates:  2/16; 3/30; 5/01.

5. Grading:
 
        a. Class participation 5%
        b. Quizzes 5%
        c. Class Project: 1/22, 2/05, 3/05, 3/26 15%
        d. Class Presentation 15%
        e. Examinations
              1. February 16 20%
              2. March 30 20%
              3. May 1 20%
        TOTAL  100%

6. Required reading:
 
        Alexander M. Ervin Applied Anthropology: Tools and Perspectives for Contemporary Practice.
        Katherine S. Newman Declining Fortunes: The Withering of the American Dream.
        Katherine A. Dettwyler. Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death In West Africa.

Course Outline

Week/Day  Assignment  Topic
1/08 M Ervin. pp. vi-xxii  Introduction and Orientation.
1/10  W Ervin. Pp. 1 – 12 Theory and Practice.
1/12  F VIDEO: Honorable Nations: The Seneca's Land Rights.#40
1/15  M MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. DAY: No class. Read
1/17   W Ervin, pp. 14 - 20   Begin class project War & Applied Anthropology.
1/19   F Ervin, pp. 21 - 26 .Consulting & Development
1/22 M Ervin, pp. 27 - 38 Ethics: Host, Client, Public
1/24   W Ervin, pp. 27 – 38 Informed Consent & Privacy
1/26   F Ervin, pp. 39 - 51 Policy & Process.
1/29  M Ervin, pp. 39 - 51 Activities, Roles, Engagement.
1/31  W Ervin, pp. 53 – 62  The Comadrona Project.
2/02  F Ervin, pp. 55 - 62  Policy Analysis & Practice.
2/05  M Ervin, pp. 63 – 77   Discuss preliminary findings on class project. Needs Assessment: Saskatoon.
2/07  W Ervin, pp. 78 – 97 Program Evaluation.
2/09   F Library Reserve Desk:   VIDEO: The Kimberly Mob.  #G4 The Australian Aborigines.
2/12  M Ervin, pp. 78 – 97 Strawberry Co-Op/Self-Help.
2/14  W In class review. Review for FIRST EXAM.
2/16   F  FIRST EXAMINATION: Bring ink pen, pencil & eraser.
2/19   M Read Ervin. Pp. 98 – 110 Review First Exam
2/21   W Ervin, pp. 98 - 111 Science Town/ Access Impact
2/23    F Ervin, pp. 112 - 122. Disasters & Environment.
2/26   M Ervin, pp. 112 - 122 Uranium Mining & Native Am
2/28   W Ervin, pp. 123 - 139. Advocacy Anthropology?
Recommended: Kathleen Gerson. Hard Choices: 
How Women Decide about Work, Career & Motherhood
3/01    F Ervin, pp. 141 - 155 Participant Observation
3/05   M Ervin, pp. 156 - 169      First draft of class project due. Focus Groups
3/07   W Ervin, pp. 170 – 186. Social Indicators/Triangulation
3/09    F VIDEO: Amazonia Roads & Modernization – Brazil. #37.
3/12 – 3/18 SPRING BREAK. No classes.
3/19    M Ervin, pp. 187 – 198. Rapid Assessments.
3/21    W Ervin, pp. 199 – 210 Participatory Action Research
3/23   F Ervin, pp. 211 – 220 Principles for Practice.
3/26    M  Ervin, pp. 221 – 231
FINAL COPY OF CLASS PROJECT DUE IN CLASS		 Becoming a Professional
3/28    W Review for SECOND EXAM In class
3/30    F SECOND EXAMINATION. Bring pencil and eraser
4/02    M Review SECOND EXAM in class Discuss Dettwyler
4/04    W Dettwyler,  pp. 1-24 Reflexive Anthropology.
4/06    F Dettwyler, pp. 25-58  Female Circumcision/Disease
4/09    M Dettwyler, pp. 59-100  Death & Danger
4/11    W Dettwyler, pp. 101-138 Iodine Deficiency, Malnutrition, 
Poulet Bicyclete & Culture.
4/13    F VIDEO: Fire Eyes/Female Circumcision.  #87
4/16    M  Dettwyler, pp. 165 Dancing Skeletons?
4/18    W  VIDEO: Aids in Africa Handout in class. Discuss. #46
4/20    F VIDEO: The !Kung San: Resettlement Forced Change.#42
 4/23    M VIDEO: Flames in the Forest.  #G1
BOOK REVIEW due in class.
4/25    W VIDEO: Follow the Rainbow or Hunters & Bombers. # G2
4/27    F FINAL EXAM. Review in class.

Semper fidelis. Be prepared!
FINAL EXAMINATION is scheduled for Tuesday May 1, 2001 from 12:00 P.M. until 1:40 P.M.   Be prepared!  Good Luck!!