ANTH 67A: CULTURES OF THE WORLD: ECUADOR
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Summer 2023 |
| Units: | 4 |
| Hours: | 4 lecture per week (48 total per quarter) |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
| Transferable: | CSU |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will practice cultural relativism as it applies to the people of Ecuador.
- Students will learn how to critically analyze and interpret historic and prehistoric data from Ecuador.
- Students will apply anthropological principles for solving human problems on the local, regional and world scales.
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
- Acquire theoretical and practical insight into topic
- Assess complexities and patterns of culture area covered
- Examine topics using anthropological methodologies
- Achieve enhanced and mature analytical abilities
- Improve research and/or information gathering assessment ability
- Synthesize data acquired in the field
- Critically analyze data
- Develop and implement a research design
Course Content
- Background reading on the culture area using current textbooks and relevant reading on the historical and anthropological background of the culture
- Description of research designs by anthropologists working in the culture area
- Assessments of fieldwork using current methods and theories pertinent to the culture area
- Student implementation of field methods to study the culture area using methodologies currently used by scholars working in the region
- Individual and group analysis work pertaining to the culture area via weekly reporting
- Weekly discussions of research papers in the field
- Preparation of final report and oral presentation on the culture area
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
Method(s) of Evaluation
Oral presentations on the culture area
Cooperative group assignments designed to initiate fieldwork
Final field notes and summary report
Final exam
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture and classroom discussion on major topics
Field research component
Cultural contact component, which includes intercultural experience, interaction, and assessment of methods. Examples for the country of Ecuador:
1. A barley harvest
2. Traditional healing with a shaman
3. Learning the indigenous dance and music
Brief write-up and analysis demonstrating original work and critical thinking
Group presentations of major projects followed by in-class discussion and evaluation
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Fagan, Brian, and Nadia Durrani. Ancient Lives: An Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory, 7th ed.. 2020.
Maddicks, Russell. Ecuador - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture. 2014.
de la Torre, Carlos, and Steve Striffler. The Ecuador Reader: History, Culture, Politics. 2009.
Crowder, Nicholas. Culture Shock! Ecuador. 2007.
D'Altroy, Terrance. The Incas. 2003.
Although some texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal texts in this area of study and are the best available.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
Examples of assignments include:
- Cultural survey and critical analysis of data for presentation
- Final essay critiquing the research experience
- Readings from required textbooks covering the region both past and present