INSTRUCTOR DESCRIPTION READINGS EVALUAITON GOALS SCHEDULE

ANTH 496D  (LISTENING TO) INDIAN AMERICA Winter 2009 TR 1400-1350 HSS 110B

DESCRIPTION

READINGS

All readings for this class will be posted on WOU online or designated in time for students to obtain books via Summit or purchase. No books ordered through the bookstore.

EVALUATION

1. SEMINAR PAPERS: 50%
In a seminar each member of the class bears responsibility for contributing to the learning of every other member.  Preparation and attendance are essential.  BRING TO EACH CLASS your seminar paper for the assigned reading.  This should be 1-2+ pages in length and include both a brief overview of each author's main points and a clear and compelling statement of the issues you wish to explore in discussion of each.  This may be a question, a connection to another reading, an alternate interpretation, a parallel to current events, or...just about anything beyond simply agreeing with the author. An excellent strategy is to choose a quotation for discussion.

NOTE: You will frequently read your seminar paper to the class, or read each others.  Personal experiences and beliefs are entirely appropriate but please do not include confidential information.

Resolve to share your thoughts and respond to others' ideas at each meeting.  Listening to colleagues is important, but this is NOT a course for lurkers.  Seminar papers are collected each time.  Please do not ask to submit early or late; you must be present and share your ideas in order to submit a seminar paper..

There are 18 meetings with assigned readings during the 10 weeks of the course.  You are may take 2 "personal days" off -- either missing class altogether or omitting the seminar paper.

2. RESEARCH PAPER: 40% (20% process, 20% product)
The research paper will be an original study (8-12 pages), conducted during winter term 2007 for this class, of a topic you propose and discuss with me; more detailed instructions on content and format are provided separately.  To earn credit for process, comply with deadlines in the schedule by submitting each requested product on time, typed, and edited.

3. PRESENTATION: 10%
Each seminar member will present results of their individual research project during the final exam period.  You MUST attend others' presentations to receive credit for your own.

Note that there are no "examinations."  Instead, performance in this class is evaluated each time we meet.

Grades are assigned according using the following scale: A = 93-100, A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; < 60 = F.

Academic Culture Notes:

• You are responsible for a grade if your name remains on the Registrar's role past the last drop date, at the end of week 6.
  
• The "Incomplete" grade is reserved for the rare case in which the student was making satisfactory progress when documented circumstances beyond the student's control caused a significant but discrete portion of the course to remain unfinished at the end of dead week.
  
• I place a high value on academic honesty and expect my students to do the same. Please ensure you understand the definition of academic dishonesty in the Code of Student Responsibility. I refer apparent cases of academic dishonesty to the Coordinator of Campus Judicial Affairs for ajudication. If you have any questions or concerns about how you have quoted, paraphrased or cited sources, seek my assistance before you submit your work.
  
• Please make wise use of email. Use the subject line to identify the course and yourself:"ANTH 216 Last Name". Do not send written assignments by email; submit them in hard copy. Avoid sending email messages (to anyone) when angry or upset.
• Requests for special accomodations are best made in person during office hours.
  
• Cell phones? Please turn them off at the beginning of class.
  

GOALS

• Differences and similarities among Native North American cultures.
• Cultural change in North America since 1492 from Native and newcomer perspectives.
• Technological changes--adoption, adaptation, and innovation--and environmental changes following the arrival of immigrant populations in North America.
• Social changes--acculturation, assimilation, resistance, and revitalization--as responses to contact and colonization.
• Ideological changes--political, religious, and artistic influences of various North American peoples on each other.
• Teachings from current Native leaders for the 21st century world.