Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
50557:General Education Course Ⅲ (P) 2025 Spring Fri2 College　Of　Policy　Science SAUCEDO DANIEL 2

Campus

OIC

Class Venue

AS462

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

This course is designed to provide basic concepts, theories and methods in Cultural Anthropology from an applied perspective in Policy Science. Cultural Anthropology, understood as a field that studies human cultures and societies, is very useful for obtaining a broad perspective and an in-depth understanding of social groups, therefore, its methodology can help better achieve the goals of social and policy studies projects.

Students who take this course:
1. Will get to know key concepts and terminology on the field of Cultural Anthropology.
2. Will be able to analyze study cases introduced in class using methods from Cultural Anthropology.
3. Will learn skills and learn methods to avoid an ethnocentric perspective when analyzing study cases.

The course is composed of lectures, discussions, individual and group presentations. Students are required to actively participate in each one of these activities.

Student Attainment Objectives

By taking this course, students will be able to
- Distinguish between different methods of Cultural Anthropology and their application.
- Explain complex cultural and social relationships that influence our modern world through the analysis of study cases.
- Select, apply and justify specific methods of Cultural Anthropology to study cases reviewed in class from a Policy Science perspective.
- Recognize key concepts and terminology of Cultural Anthropology.
- Develop an acceptance and appreciation of people and cultures from different backgrounds.
- Acquire a broad-cultural perspective for interpreting modern societies.

Recommended Preparatory Course

Since this is an introductory course, no particular preparation is required. However, students are required to participate in discussions and presentations, therefore it is recommended to have high communication skills in English.

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Introduction and course outline.

Explanation of the class
【+R-Jugyo】Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on manaba+R.

2

What is Cultural Anthropology?The concept of Culture

The Scope of Anthropology and the Subfields of Anthropology
The Concept of Culture, Characteristics of Culture, Symbolic Classifications, Cultural Relativism

3

Anthropological theory and Applied Anthropology

The Growth of Anthropological Theory, Pure Anthropology vs. Applied Anthropology

4

Methods in Cultural Anthropology

Data-gathering, fieldwork, ethnography

5

Language and Communication

The Nature and Structure of Language, Sociolinguistics

6

Humans and their environment

Human Adaptation, Domestication and Food Production

7

Economics

Exchange, Reciprocity, Introduction to Economic Systems

8

Marriage, Family, Kingship and Descent

Kindred, Lineage, Family and Marriage

9

Sex and Gender

Human sexuality, Gender Roles, Gender Ideology

10

Social Stratification

Social Inequality, Race and Ethnicity

11

Political Organization and Social Control

Types of Political Organization, Imperialism, Colonialism and Power

12

Supernatural Beliefs

Religion, Myths, Religious Organization

13

The Anthropology of Art

What is Art, Commodification, Representation, Aesthetics

14

Culture Change and Globalization

Diffusion, Acculturation, Cultural Change and Development, Globalization and World Cultures

Class Format

The class will be conducted face-to-face.
【Classes in person ：14 times, Web Classes ：0 times】

Recommendations for Private Study

This course will include field-work activities (original observations, interviews, etc.), as well as group presentations. Students should accomplish these activities outside the classroom.

Beyond the reading material introduced in class, there will be a list of reference material that students can use to widen the information given by the instructor. It is highly recommended that students try to read at least one of these materials for class activities.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

- Class participation (Discussion): 20%
- Personal assignments: 40%
- Group presentation: 40%

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective (11th ed) Ferraro, Gary and Andreatta, Susan Cengage Learning 978-1337109642 A general overview on Cultural Anthropology
Culture Counts: A Concise Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (4th Edition) Nanda, Serena and Warms, Richard L. Cengage Advantage Books 978-1337109680 Good for a general overview on Cultural Anthropology.
Social and cultural anthropology : the key concepts Rapport, Niggel Routledge 9780415834513 Basic concepts on Cultural Anthropology
Ethnographies of Archaeological Practice: Cultural Encounters, Material Transformations Edgeworth, Matt Altamira Press 978-0759108448 A good example on ethnographic research
Sharing Our Worlds: An Introduction to Cultural and Social Anthropology (2nd Edition) Hendry, Joy New York University Press 0814737110 A clear introduction for Cultural Anthropology

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students,Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/