World Cultures
Section 81
Introduction
Syllabus
Assignment
Dr. Renee B. Walker
walkerr@oneonta.edu
Fitzelle 312, x3346
Office Hours: MW 2-3 pm, TTh
12-1 pm
Course Description
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What’s it like to grow up in New Guinea? How do the Maya fit
into the world system? Where do the Maasai go when looking
for a mate? The major goal of this course is to develop an
understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. Such a
broad perspective fosters a global consciousness, provides
insights about the variety of human lifeways, and helps
develop a greater understanding of the world’s peoples.
Several selected cultures will be examined in depth using
ethnographic literature and films, including huntinggathering, kin-based, and agricultural societies, as well as
ethnic groups in complex societies.
This course fulfills General Education Attribute: ICD; General
Education 2000 Attribute: HO2
Grading
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Your grade is based on your performance on three
examinations: two midterm exams and one final exam.
Each test covers lecture, film, discussion and reading
materials assigned or presented since the last test.
Thus, none of the examinations are comprehensive.
Your assignment will be a web and library search on a
specific culture or cultural trait of interest to you. You
will select a culture, and, using information on the
culture from the books, web pages and library turn in an
annotated bibliography of resources on this topic. You
must have 10 sources total.
The total requirements for the semester are:
Three exams:
300
Assignment:
100
Class Participation & Reading
Materials
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You are expected to participate fully in class, which
includes regular class attendance, keeping current with
assigned readings, and participation in class discussions.
Much of the course material is not in the textbook and
only in class lectures. Attendance will be taken each
class meeting. Late assignments and make-up exams
will require proof of absence (such as a doctor’s excuse).
Reading Materials
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Bates, Daniel. Human Adaptive Strategies: Ecology, Culture and
Politics. 3rd edition, 2005.
Lee, Richard. The Dobe Ju/'hoansi, 3rd edition, 2002.
Berdan, Frances. The Aztecs of Central Mexico: An Imperial
Society. 2nd edition, 2005.
Web Site
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http://employees.oneonta.edu/walkerr/Wo
rld%20Cultures/AN105syl.htm
Assignment
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http://employees.oneonta.edu/walkerr/Wo
rld%20Cultures/an105assign.htm