ANTH 210H: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Prerequisite: Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL 101.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Students will critically examine various societies around the world using basic cultural concepts such as language, gender, food production, economics, kinship, politics and religion. The class is designed to foster an appreciation of the diversity present in the world, teach introductory anthropological concepts, and promote contextualized learning through projects applying anthropological knowledge and skills to solving human problems. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes strong critical thinking skills, thorough analysis of anthropological readings, presentation and leadership skills demonstrated through class participation/presentation, and service learning in the community. College level reading is strongly advised for success in the course. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Define the scope of anthropology and discuss the role of cultural anthropology within the discipline.
  • Recognize the methods, theories and perspectives used to study and understand human cultures.
  • Explain the importance of the ethnographic method in the study of culture.
  • Employ the relativist perspective while discussing cultural variation.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of anthropological concepts including ethnicity, gender, political organization, economic systems, kinship, rituals and belief systems.
  • Explain the interconnectedness of the economic, political and sociocultural forces of globalization among diverse cultural groups.
  • Analyze and evaluate the ethical issues anthropologists encounter, and professional ethical obligations that must be met in the study of and application in cultural groups different from their own.
  • Demonstrate presentation and leadership skills.

Major Course Content

  1. Anthropological theories, methods and perspectives
  2. Anthropological study of human cultures in comparative perspective
  3. Subsistence patterns
  4. Social, political and economic organizations
  5. Language and communication
  6. Family and kinship
  7. Belief systems
  8. Art and expressive culture
  9. Ethnicity and race
  10. Gender and sexuality
  11. Social inequality and colonialism
  12. Globalization and culture change
  13. Professional ethics
  14. Applied anthropology

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

ethnographies on various cultures around the world written by anthropologists (i.e. Thunder Rides a Black Horse: Mescalero Apaches and the Mythic Present); articles and books on anthropological research, theory and practice; etc.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will conduct an applied anthropology research project on a current topic such as racism, poverty, healthcare access, etc. and apply anthropological knowledge and skills in an attempt to find a culturally relative solution. They will conduct research on the issue and then use anthropological perspectives, terms and concepts in an original written analysis to address possible resolutions to the predicament. Students will then share their issue and possible solutions in a presentation to the class.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time: Complete workbook exercises that are based on the course materials and readings to strengthen their ability to apply the terms and concepts beyond the classroom setting. Additionally, they may create flash cards, conduct research for their project, write papers for written assignments, solve problems, watch videos/clips, watch recorded lectures, and read required materials.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4A. Anthropology and Archaeology, 4C. Ethnic Studies, 4J. Sociology & Criminology