MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY

ANTHROPOLOGY 1103-001, 002

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY
ONLINE (ASYNCHRONOUS DELIVERY) [3 CREDITS]

SUMMER SEMESTER 2024

Lecturer: Carol F. Krol

Office: B 349Q (off campus for the semester)
E-mail: ckrol@mtroyal.ca
Web Site: D2L
Office Hours: email

LAND AND TREATY ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Mount Royal University resides upon the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty
7 Region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the
Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney
Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of
Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Areas 5 and 6. Mount Royal University
is situated on land adjacent to where the Bow River meets the Elbow River; the
traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Moh’kins’tsis”, which we now call the City of
Calgary. By virtue of the signing of Treaty 7, in 1877, we are all treaty people.

Information about MRU’s Indigenous Strategic plan can be found here:

https://www.mtroyal.ca/IndigenousMountRoyal/indigenous-strategic-plan/index.htm

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This course is a cross-cultural exploration of the nature of human culture and society.
Its elements, variability and perpetuation. Topics will include symbolism and meaning,
subsistence strategies, sex and gender, kinship, social organization, and political,
economic, and religious institutions.

REQUIRED TEXT

Schultz, Emily A, Robert H Lavenda, Roberta Robin Dods and Mary-Lee Mulholland
2023 Cultural Anthropology: A Perspective on the Human Condition (Fifth Canadian
Edition. Oxford University Press, Don Mills, Ontario.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to cultural anthropology, the field of anthropology that

focuses on the study of different contemporary cultures throughout the world. The major
goals of cultural anthropology are twofold: to understand the uniqueness and diversity of
human behaviour and societies around the world, and to discover the fundamental
similarities of human beings wherever they may be found in the world. To accomplish
these goals, anthropologists undertake systematic case studies of people living in
particular locations (ethnographies), and then use comparative techniques to determine
the similarities and differences among various people (ethnology). Anthropology thus
offers a distinctive cross-cultural perspective.

In this course we will examine similarities and differences among contemporary cultures
through the study of their various lifeways. Students will become familiar with the basic
terms, theories and concepts essential to the discipline of cultural anthropology, and will
discover how anthropology, through its distinctive methods, can clarify our
understanding of each other and ourselves. Note: there is a significant visual component
to this course.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
(Margaret Mead)

The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences.

(Ruth Benedict)
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OUTLINE OF LECTURES AND ASSIGNED READINGS

Week 1
02-05 July
Introduction to the course;

Introduction to Anthropology (the 4 field approach)

READ: Ch.1 The Anthropological Perspective on the Human Condition
(pp 1-9)
Ch.14 Applying Anthropology in Everyday Life
Week 2
08-12 July Defining Culture (Topic 1)
READ: Ch.1 The Anthropological Perspective on the Human Condition
(pp 9-22)

Ethnographic Fieldwork (Topic 2)

READ: Ch.2 Fieldwork: A Meeting of Cultural Conditions

09 July (T) ********** Discussion Question Due (5%) **********

Week 3
15-19 July Subsistence Patterns: food foragers (egalitarian and non-egalitarian)
READ: Ch.7 Making a Living (to p149) (Topic 1)

Subsistence Patterns: food producers (pastoralists, horticulturalists,

Intensive agriculturalists) (Topic 2)
READ: Ch.7 Making a Living (pp 149-151)

18 July (R) ********** Midterm Due (30%) **********

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Week 4
22-26 July Economics (Topic 1)
READ: Ch.7 Making a Living (pp 151-170)

Religion and the Supernatural (Topic 2)

READ: Ch.10 World View

Week 5
29 July- Marriage and Family (Topic 1)
02 Aug READ: Ch.6 Social Relationships: Marriage, Family, Kinship, and
Friendship

Gender (Topic 2)
READ: Ch.5 Subjectivity: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

01 Aug (R) ********** Assignment Due (30%) **********

Week 6
06-09 Aug Politic and Social Control
READ: Ch.8 Politics, Power, and Social Organization

Week 7
12-14 Aug Globalization
READ: Ch.13 A Global World

16-20 Aug Final Examination Period

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GRADE WEIGHTING

DISCUSSION QUESTION 5%

MIDTERM
(TAKE-HOME) 30%

ASSIGNMENT 30 %

FINAL EXAM
(TAKE-HOME) 35 %

Details regarding requirements/expectations, and specific due dates for the

assessments will be provided in a separate information package(s). Additional

required readings and visuals will also be provided/updated on a weekly basis. The

instructor reserves the right to make occasional changes in the course outline.

Note: emails are usually responded to within 48 hours (business days). Please ensure that

your full name, course and section # is included in the email to ensure a response.

Never ever depend on governments or institutions to solve any major problems. All
social change comes from the passion of individuals.
(Margaret Mead)

GRADING SCHEME
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Please refer to the University Calendar for a complete table of the accepted letter grades and their
descriptions. In this course, all term marks will be awarded in percentages or letter grades, which will be
converted using the following ranges:

Mark 95- 85- 80- 77- 73- 70- 67- 63- 60- 55- 50- 0-49
(%) 100 94 84 79 76 72 69 66 62 59 54
Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F
GPA 4.0 4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 0
Description Excellent . Good. Clearly Satisfactory. Basic Marginal Fail.
from Policy Superior above average understanding of performance. Assigned to
507, Grades performance, performance with the subject matter. (Generally students:
and showing knowledge of the insufficient
a)who do
Examinations comprehensive subject matter preparation not meet the
understanding of generally for academic
subject matter. complete. subsequent requirements
courses). of the
course, or
b)who cease
to continue
in the
course, but
do not
withdraw as
per Mount
Royal
University
policy.

COURSE POLICIES

Make yourself familiar with the University’s regulations and policies covering students’ responsibilities
and rights. Rules for writing exams are printed on the front of the University exam booklets and the rules
for academic conduct are in the 2023-2024 University calendar. These sections provide an overview of
student rights and obligations as well as the available disciplinary and grievance procedures. Also be aware
of the Code of Student Conduct.
http://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/CampusResources/StudentConduct/index.htm

PLAGARISM
Students will respect the basic standards of intellectual integrity, including, but not limited to, refraining
from plagiarism, cheating or copying someone else’s work.

“Plagiarism consists of using other people’s words or ideas without adequately acknowledging the source
of those words or ideas. Plagiarism can take many forms: stealing an entire essay and submitting it as
one’s own work; quoting parts of a source without acknowledging that source; quoting parts of a source
without quotation marks (even if the source is listed in the Works Cited list); too few in-text citations
compared to the amount of information used; incorrect, incomplete, or missing documentation elements.
Penalties for plagiarism can range from a reduction in the assignment grade to expulsion from the
college.”
-with thanks to Bill Bunn, Department of English, Mount Royal

In addition, students are expected to take an active role in encouraging other members of the academic
community to refrain from academic dishonesty, and are asked to advise the instructor if they are aware of
any such violations. This provision applies to any work submitted as a group project. Students are strongly
recommended to read the complete Code of Student Conduct, which can be found on-line at:
http://www.mtroyal.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/pdf/osc_plagiarism_brochure_2013.pdf

DOCUMENTATION
Any recognized Style Guide is acceptable for this course (APA, MLA, Chicago).
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KEY DATES
First day of classes July 02, 2024
Last day to withdraw from a course or program August 02, 2024
Last day of Spring semester classes August 14, 2024
Fall semester final examination period August 16-20, 2024

CORRECTNESS POLICY
All students are expected to adhere to high standards in correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word
usage. Additionally, each instructor is free to require a higher standard of correctness for their particular
course. Specific details of this policy will be discussed in class by your instructor.

LATE DELIVERABLES
Late submissions will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion only; a late penalty of 2% per day (of the
grade weight for the assessment) will generally apply.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious? Finding it hard to be motivated, meet deadlines or
attend class? Having a hard time sleeping, concentrating or retaining information no matter how much you
study? Help is available! See the MRU Mental Health Website for resources:
https://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/WellnessServices/MentalHealthServices/index.htm

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE

You are encouraged to find general information as well as information on how to address issues related to
diversity, inclusion, discrimination, harassment, accommodation, healthy relationships and dating, domestic
and sexual violence. See Campus Equality and Meaningful Inclusion website:
https://mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/CampusResources/CampusEquityMeaningfulInclusion/index.htm

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities or chronic health conditions, who require accommodations in classes and/or
practica, directed field studies, or clinical placements, need to register with Accessibility Services in Y201,
telephone 440-6868. Accommodation is the process of making alterations to the delivery of services so that
those services become accessible to more people. Accommodation does not lower academic or non-
academic standards or relieve the student of the responsibility to develop the essential skills and
competencies expected of all students. To be eligible for accommodations, accommodation letters, signed
by an Accessibility Services Consultant, must be provided to courses instructors.
More information is available at:
http://www.mtroyal.ca/AcademicSupport/ResourcesServices/AccessibilityServices/index.htm

http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/

DEFERRED EXAMINATIONS
Deferred examinations will only be given for the specific reasons outlined in the University calendar, and
that ALL deferred final examinations MUST be approved by the Program Chair of the department, Dr
Mary-Lee Mulholland. Students should also be reminded that they MUST be available during the final
exam period as stated in the University Calendar.