AN 102 - Cultural Anthropology

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to non-Western systems, such as the Native American, African, Asian, Indian, and Oceanic peoples. A cross-cultural approach will be utilized with the purpose of gaining an understanding and appreciation of how other cultural groups live. An anthropological approach will be used to study such topics as ethnographic research and theory, subsistence and economics, language, marriage and family, group personality, political systems and law, religion, and culture change.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

understand the components of the field of cultural anthropology and its relationship to other anthropological and social science disciplines;
comprehend ethnographic research methods and anthropological theory;
learn about the lifeways of different peoples and gain an understanding of worldwide cultural differences;
examine the role of “cultural relativism” as a critical factor in evaluating disparate world cultures as well as ethnic, racial and social class distinctions within a pluralistic American society;
examine the status of women in both preindustrial and industrial society;
study the effects of cultural (technological) change; and
consider the concept of a “global world” and the interdependence of nations in achieving economic prosperity and environmental security.

F/S (C, N, S)