School of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary
Studies
Department of
Anthropology
ANTH101. Cultural Diversity
Professor: Dr.
Office: Mariposa 2028
Hours: Mon
Office #: (916) 278-3958 (emergencies only)
E-mail: moratto@csus.edu
Cultural
Diversity. Focuses on the phenomena of cultural
and ethnic variation in complex societies; the nature of diversity; the nature
of cultural conflicts; how cultural differences are managed in other complex
societies. The case study approach of anthropology is used to develop
constructive perspectives on cultural diversity in the
(1) To demonstrate and understanding of the concept of culture and of the central tenets, methodologies, and goals of the ethnographic approach.
(2) To demonstrate an understanding of race, gender, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation as indices of human diversity in society.
(3) To demonstrate an understanding of the contributions made to their society and cultural traditions by at least two of the primary groups featured in the ethnographic literature assigned by the instructor.
(4) To demonstrate a critical understanding of their own role as social actors in a culturally diverse society and an understanding that racism and social conflict grounded in ignorance and ethnocentrism can be mitigated by cross-cultural experience and learning.
Kotak, C. P. & Kozaitis, K. A. (2003). On Being Different. 2nd Ed. Boston: MCGraw Hill
De Vita, P. R. & Armstrong, J. D. (2001) Distant Mirrors:
The class will be heavily based on student presentations and discussions.
The methodology consists of:
- Study guides and handouts
- Group work
- Assigned readings
- Homework
- In-class writing exercises
- Online assignments
- Films
- Homework: Expect daily homework assignments from the texts and handouts.
- Late homework: No late homework will be accepted.
- Exams: There will be two take home exams (15% each) and no final exam.
- Assignments: There will be one ethnographic project to be completed by the end of the semester. You will also have an oral presentation on your ethnography. Please, check guidelines for this project.
- Class Presentation: You will be responsible for making a 20-minute presentation of one of the books’ readings. Each class period one group (two people) will present the two assigned chapters and the class will have to come up with at least 4 (four) questions for the presenters, who will respond to them as if they were the authors of the chapters. You will present a summary of the chapters as well as the key arguments, giving the class themes for discussion. This is worth 10% of your total grade.
- Films: Every so often, you will review a film and comment on it based on the material you are learning in the course. Expect to answer questions and discuss the main topics of the film.
- Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. After three absences, 10 points will be deducted for each absence that is not excused (medical or work related—please bring proof next class you attend). They will be computed into the Attendance/Participation grades, which are worth 20% of total grade.
- Quizzes: These will be given randomly during the semester. No make-ups will be allowed for quizzes. The duration of the quizzes is 5 minutes and they will be given at the very beginning of class.
- Preparation:
It is of the utmost importance that you study ahead of time and come to
class prepared to discuss the topics chosen for the day.
- Files: Please, make an extra copy of all your work and put them in a file folder. This is your evidence if you are of the opinion that you have not been evaluated properly and in case for which there may be an error in the grade book. I will keep the exams and quizzes in a file.
- Early Exit: Please, plan to stay the entire period, as two tardies equal one absence.
- Tardiness: Tardiness disrupts the class; therefore, two of them will be considered an absence. Please, do not come in if you are late.
- Food and Drink: You may bring your water only into class. For obvious reasons, food and gums are not allowed in class. Please eat outside the class and leave your gums in the trash can at the entrance of the classroom.
- Attire: wear appropriate attire for class. Please, remove your hats in the classroom so I can better see your face and interact with you.
- Cell Phones/Pagers: Please, turn these items off before entering the classroom unless there is a pending emergency that may need your attention. Notify me about it ahead of time.
- Guests: Please do not bring guests, especially your children and pets to the classroom, as it disrupts the other students.
- Withdrawal: Instructor will not drop a student from course. However, students who do not attend class for the first week without informing instructor will forfeit their place in class. Students must go through proper procedures to remove themselves from the course. Failure to do so may result in an “F” in this course.
- Textbook: Textbooks with your name written on the first page should be brought to class every day. Failure to do so will result in an absence.
- Grades:
Attendance and participation 20%
Take home exams (2x15%) 30%
Chapter presentations 10%
Final Project (2x20%) 40%
Final Project
The final project will be divided into two parts: written (20%) and oral presentation (20%).
The groups will comprise three students each.
You will perform a short ethnography of a culture that is unfamiliar to you. It may be ethnic or not. The goal for this project is that you learn something about a cultural group that exists in this region, and thus culminate your experience in cultural diversity.
Here are some examples of groups you can research:
Saturday: Sunrise Mall (behind Sears),
Wednesday:
10. Ethnic Music and Festivals
11. Clubs: students, flower, chess
12. Ethnic dance clubs
13. Malls (compare different location and clientele)
14. Nearby
small towns (Galt, Pleasant Grove,
15. Old
You will observe (participate) your chosen group and write a 6-10 pages professional quality paper about it. You will also present your research to the class. You observation will take at least 3 hours and you will interview at least 3 different people (one person per student).
Guidelines
Introduction: write a brief statement of your field of interest and setting. Why did you choose the setting?
What interested you?
What did you think you might find out (or not?)
Description: where did you go, what did you do, with whom did you speak, who did you interview and why, how is the geographical location.
Give your reader a good description as if telling a story so the reader can imagine your setting and activity.
You can use chronological order to describe your event.
Analysis: report how you felt while doing the ethnography as well as how your subjects felt. Was it difficult, funny, or complicated? What were your concerns? Were you judgmental, ethnocentric? What was your reaction to what you observed?
Interpretation: what are your conclusions about the culture you studied, or your subjects?
What insights have you had about your group? What did you learn about this particular culture?
Conclusion: What are the questions you would still have about your group? Remember that all this can change based on more observations or thoughts. What is your conclusion?
Style: Do not be dry and formal, but please, avoid slang and abbreviations, or sloppy writing. Make sure your reader enjoys the reading. Add the interviews at the end of the paper. Do not forget to cite your references when interpreting or concluding your paper.
Oral Presentation: Tell your story to the class in no more no less than 15 minutes. Divide your time well and use the five categories you wrote about when speaking to the class. You will be handed a rubric for this part.