SOC1005 Introduction to AnthropologyBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs PSYCHOLOGYGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
PSYCHOLOGY
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
SOC1005 Introduction to Anthropology Spring 3 0 3 6
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. Öğr. Üyesi AYŞEGÜL AKDEMİR
Recommended Optional Program Components: "."
Course Objectives: The aim of this course is twofold: First, students will be introduced to the core ideas and concepts of anthropology such as culture, nature, ethnography, social stratifications, kinship systems, race, gender, marriage, sexuality, religion etc. Examples from various human groups around the globe will be used to develop an understanding of these core concepts, ideas and themes. Secondly, we will bring in these concepts and perspectives into our own lives to develop an informed analysis of the Turkish society.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
The students who succeeded in this course will be able to:


(1)Develop an understanding of Anthropology, its origins and its conditions of emergence.

(2) Analyse core concepts of Anthropology

(3)Describe relationship between Anthropology and colonialism

(4)Develop a perspective on how to conceptualize culture

(5)Examine major socio cultural institutions and practices such as Kinship, Family and Marriage

(6)Develop a conceptualization of Nature. Explore the relationship between nature and culture

(7)Develop a critical perspective on concepts that are taken for granted in our daily lives

(8)Develop competence on linking concepts and theories of anthropology with existing socio cultural practices

(9)Develop an understanding of human cultural variety

Course Content

The course has two main sections. In the first part, it will introduce students to the world of anthropology by examining its origins, scope, main paradigms, and by developing a theoretical understanding of what culture is. Second section consists of using the main perspectives developed in the first part in exploring some of the main themes and topics of anthropology such as family, kinship, gender, and nature.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction and course outline
2) What is anthropology Horace Miner, “Body Ritual of the Nacirema”
3) Origins of Anthropology Lavenda & Schultz, Chapter 1
4) Early anthropological theories: Social Evolutionism McGee & Warms “Nineteenth-Century Evoltionism”
5) Early anthropological theories: Cultural Relativism McGee & Warms “Historical Particularism”
6) Culture and colonial heritage Lavenda & Schultz, Chapter 2
7) Critique of ‘Culture’ Renato Rosaldo “The Erosion of Classic Norms”
8) Midterm Course review and midterm
9) Kinship and Descent Lavenda & Schultz, Chapter 9
10) Family Lavenda & Schultz, Chapter 9 cont'd.
11) Marriage Lavenda & Schultz, Chapter 10
12) Sex and Gender Donna Haraway, “Is Female to Male as Nature Is to Culture”
13) Gender inequalities Anne Fausto-Sterling, “The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female Are Not Enough”
14) Nature / Culture I TBA

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Robert H. Lavenda and Emily A. Schultz. Core Concepts in Cultural Anthropology. Third Edition. Boston: McGraw Hill. 2007

Renato Rosaldo. Culture and Truth. , Boston: Beacon Press. 1993
References: "."

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 10
Quizzes 5 % 15
Midterms 1 % 30
Final 1 % 45
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 55
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 45
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 4 56
Quizzes 5 10 50
Midterms 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 152

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To develop an interest in the human mind and behavior, to be able to evaluate theories using empirical findings, to understand that psychology is an evidence-based science by acquiring critical thinking skills.
2) To gain a biopsychosocial perspective on human behavior. To understand the biological, psychological, and social variables of behavior.
3) To learn the basic concepts in psychology and the theoretical and practical approaches used to study them (e.g. basic observation and interview techniques).
4) To acquire the methods and skills to access and write information using English as the dominant language in the psychological literature, to recognize and apply scientific research and data evaluation techniques (e.g. correlational, experimental, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, case studies).
5) To be against discrimination and prejudice; to have ethical concerns while working in research and practice areas.
6) To recognize the main subfields of psychology (experimental, developmental, clinical, cognitive, social and industrial/organizational psychology) and their related fields of study and specialization.
7) To acquire the skills necessary for analyzing, interpreting and presenting the findings as well as problem posing, hypothesizing and data collection, which are the basic elements of scientific studies.
8) To gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for psychological assessment and evaluation.
9) To acquire basic knowledge of other disciplines (medicine, genetics, biology, economics, sociology, political science, communication, philosophy, anthropology, literature, law, art, etc.) that will contribute to psychology and to use this knowledge in the understanding and interpretation of psychological processes.
10) To develop sensitivity towards social problems; to take responsibility in activities that benefit the field of psychology and society.
11) To have problem solving skills and to be able to develop the necessary analytical approaches for this.
12) To be able to criticize any subject in business and academic life and to be able to express their thoughts.