Department of
Anthropology
ANTH 140:
Nonwestern Contributions to the Western World Spring
2006
Richard W. Franke Professor
of Anthropology
Section
01 WF
Section
02 W
This course was developed as the 1995–96
University Distinguished Professor Course
The course syllabus is on line at: http://chss.montclair.edu/anthro/ANTH140spring2006.htm
Suggested supplementary readings – all are
optional – for this course are listed on line at:
http://chss.montclair.edu/anthro/ANTH140supplementaryreadings.htm
Suggested website links relevant to most topics
in the course are available on line at:
http://chss.montclair.edu/anthro/ANTH140links.htm
This course fulfills both the Nonwestern
Cultural Perspectives Requirement and
Multicultural
Awareness Requirement
Why This Course?
I
have been thinking about this subject for many years. As an undergraduate, I
was struck by the essay by anthropologist Ralph Linton, “One Hundred Percent American,”
in which he surveys the daily routine of a middle class American who uses
products invented from around the world without ever recognizing whence they
came. Over the years, I have gradually accumulated a longer list of the non-US
and Nonwestern elements in our lives and culture. I would like to introduce
students to these many contributions. Today, a sufficient literature exists to
survey the field.
The Concept of
“Nonwestern”
In
anthropology, nonwestern cultures have traditionally been defined as belonging
to people who speak a language outside the Indo-European family. For this
course, I propose to expand the definition to the common folk-belief in
Assigned
Linton, Ralph. 1936.
One hundred percent American. Appears in several readers. On e-reserve
at Sprague Library.
Franke, Richard W.
1987. Power, class and traditional knowledge in
|
The |
Temple, Robert. 2002. The
Genius of
Weatherford, Jack.
1988. Indian Givers: How the Indians of the
Zaslavsky, Claudia.
1990.
Course
Requirements and Grading Policy
Grades will be based on 3 exams, class
attendance, and participation.
Attendance
and participation 20 points
Midterm
1 February 17 25
Midterm
2 March 31 25
Final
Exam (Tuesday May 9) 30
Total 100
Course points total and letter grades are
shown in the column to the right →
94–100 A
90–93 A-
87–89 B+
83–86 B
80–82 B-
77–79 C+
73–76 C
70–72 C-
67–69 D+
64–66 D
60–63 D-
59 and below F
The 3 exams include 2
midterms each worth 25 points and a final worth 30 points. The final will
include questions from the last section of the course and some extra credit
questions from all sections of the course. Some points on the exams may be
given out as writing assignments in class or between classes.
Office
Hours:
Come and discuss issues in the course or
any materials you do not understand. My office is Dickson Hall 128, ext. 4133.
Email: franker@mail.montclair.edu.
You can reach me:
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
…or other times
at your request. I am on campus many hours and can be available beyond the official
office times listed at left.
TOPICS AND
Date Topic
Jan 18 Introduction: Why This Course?
The Concepts of Western
and Nonwestern
Jan 20 Ethnocentrism—What It Is and Why
Anthropologists Reject It.
Racism—the Genetic
Version of Ethnocentrism and Why Anthropologists Reject It
Optional
A
list of optional readings for all topics in this course are available on line
at:
http://chss.montclair.edu/anthro/ANTH140supplementaryreadings.htm
Jan 25 Indian Silver and Gold on the
World Market: How Native Americans Fueled the Modern
Economy
Jan 27 Indian Contributions to
Industrial Development
Feb 1 The Foods Native Americans Gave
Us
|
Each
exam will include multiple choice and essay questions. Some essays will be
given out as advance study questions. You must write all essays in the blue
examination books. |
Feb 3 VIDEO—The Columbian Exchange
[Sprague Library
#2324, Part 6]
Feb 8 Farming Technology from the
Indians
Feb 10 Native American Medicines That
Still Save Our Lives or Ease Our Pain
Feb 15 The Native American Contribution
to American Democracy: a Debate
Feb
17 FIRST EXAMINATION
Feb 22
Feb 24 VIDEO—Irrigation in Ancient
SLIDES—Inca
Technology
March 1 Pre-Inca Achievements; The Lines at
Nazca;
Maya Astronomy and
Mathematics
March 3 The Non-European Origins of Writing
March 8
Video: Ancient
March 10 Scientific and Architectural, and
Mathematical Achievements of Ancient
The Pyramids―Real
Ancient Mysteries
March 13 to 17 SPRING
VACATION
March 22 Egyptian Contributions? The Black
Athena Debate
VIDEO: Black Athena [Sprague Library #2389]
March 24 The Black Athena Debate—Continued
March 29 VIDEO: The Lost City of
March 31 SECOND
EXAMINATION
April 5 Serer Ecology—How to Preserve the
Environment
Fulani Medicine and the
Origins of Vaccination
Scientific knowledge and
political organization in the West African empires of
April 7 African
Influences on American English
April 12 African
Gifts to Western Music:
TAPE: Hear
April 14 Good
Friday – NO CLASS
April 19 African Mathematics: Some of the
Earliest Known Human Number Systems
April 19 African Architecture and Design
Powerpoint Presentation:
Black Rice – How Africans Taught European Settlers in
April 21 Powerpoint Presentation: Coffee: An
Afro-Arab Contribution to the World
April 26 VIDEO: Rise of the Dragon: The Genius That Was
Chinese Agricultural,
Engineering, and Industrial Achievements
READING:
April 28 Chinese Mathematical Achievements
and Household Inventions
May 2 Chinese Medicine, Transportation,
and Military Technology
Note that May 2 is a Tuesday. This particular Tuesday has been
designated by the University as a Friday class day. Tuesday, May 2, is the last
class day for Anth140 in spring 2004.
May 9 Final Examinations
Section
01 [
Section
02 [
Classroom Courtesy
Professor Richard W. Franke
By observing the following rules you will
help me—the instructor—to provide a better and more interesting course. You
will also help yourself and your fellow students to achieve better
concentration and therefore to get better grades. I do not curve, so the more
you concentrate, the more you learn, and the better your grade, no matter how
other students do. So, please—
1. Be in your seat with your notebook open and
your pen or pencil ready when the class starts.
2. Do not start packing your materials until
class is actually over.
3. Do
not eat or drink during class.
4. Turn
off all cell phones and pagers.
5. Do not leave the room during class unless
you plan to stay out for the period. Use the toilet and the drinking fountain
before or after class.
6. Do not whisper, rattle papers, or otherwise
distract your fellow students during class, especially during videos or films.
If you have seen the film previously and are bored, either try to see something
new in it, or leave.
7. Do not ask to discuss your grade or other
matters at the beginning of class unless you feel your concerns are relevant to
the entire class. In that case, please tell me you feel a public discussion is
needed. Otherwise, use my office hours or make an appointment to see me
privately.
8. Let me know if special circumstances make
it hard for you to follow any of these rules.
If you wish to read my
advice about how to study more effectively, or wish to see examples of the
kinds of questions typically found on exams for this course, take a look at:
Franke, Richard W.
1998. The Anthropology Student Guide to
Better Grades. Department of Anthropology. Third edition. [http://chss2.montclair.edu/anthropology/bettergrades.htm]
To access e-reserves
at Sprague: http://library.montclair.edu
1. Click on the electronic
reserves page at the top of the page. This takes you to: http://ereserves.montclair.edu/eres/
2. Select the course
by course number/name, by department, or by instructor
3. Click on the course
number and click “accept” on the copyright button.
4. Enter the password:
franker
5. Select the
electronic document you wish to view.