ANTHROPOLOGY 230

Globalization and the Human Condition

Fall 2007

Required Readings :

1. Developing World 04/05 edited by Robert J. Griffiths .  2004. ISU Bookstore.
2. Culture and Global Change edited by T. Skeleton and T. Allen.  1999. On E-Reserve at the Library.
3. Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System by John H. Bodley. 2000. On Reserve at the Library.
4. Globalization: The Reader by John Beynon and David Dunkerley. 2000. On E-Reserve at the Library.
5. The Third World : Definitions and Perspectives on Development by Srinivas Melkote and Allen Merriam. On E-Reserve at the Library.
6. Can Biotechnology End Hunger? by K. Leisinger and M. Altieri.  On E-Reserve at the Library.
7. The Five Mysteries of Capital by H. De Soto .  On E-Reserve at the Library.
8. The Many Faces of the Future by S. Huntington and the Clash of Ignorance by E. Said.  On E-Reserve at the Library.

Recommended Readings :

1. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts by H. J. De Blij and P. O. Muller. On Reserve at the library (NOT on e-reserve!).

Course Evaluation: (460 points)

Examinations:  Three multiple-choice exams will be given (300 points). 

• Exam 1 (100 points) will be given on September 25 to cover lectures, reading and films assigned from August 23 through September 20. 
• Exam 2 (100 points) will be given on October 25 to cover lectures and readings assigned from September 27 through October 23. 
• Final Exam (100 points) will be given December 13 to cover lectures and readings assigned from October 30 through December 6. 

Mapping Out Your Global Products Exercise: (60 points) You may not have a passport to travel overseas, but most of what you eat, wear, use, and listen to/dance to does have the right to cross borders. This exercise involves the documentation and mapping of one day in your life. Pick any day and do the following:

1. Identify on the map given a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 30 items that you wear, consume, and/or use in one day. You must include a variety of items from the following categories: food, clothing, electronics, entertainment, transportation, and so on.  Use a color code or draw lines to link items with places of origin.
2. What percentage of these items is made in the USA and what percentage is not?
3. Break your list of items by continent.
4. Based on your list, what types of product trends do you see? (1-2 paragraphs)
5. How do these trends fit into our discussion of globalization and what do these trends tell you about the directions of globalization? (1-2 paragraphs)
6. In what ways do these trends affect how and where you live? (1-2 paragraphs)
7. Hand in your report on September 20.

Internet Search Exercise:  (40 points) This exercise involves the use of the Internet.  Locate a web site that is concerned with the subject matter of this course.  It can be a government site ( U.S.A. or another country), a United Nations organization, or a non-governmental agency with concern for Third World issues. Prepare a 1-2 page summary of the mission and activities of the organization.  Include the web site address and a brief summary of the content of the Webpage. Hand in your project on October 25.

Outreach Project: (40 points) During the semester, you must attend a campus event that is relevant to the topics covered in this class.  These may be lectures, films, cultural nights, or any other activity where you can learn more about another culture appropriate to the subject matter of this course.  Possible outreach events will be announced in class.  You are to submit reports based on the experience at the first class meeting following the event.  A form sheet will be provided to use to organize your outreach report.  Please type your responses.  Hand in your report on November 15.

Attendance:  (20 points) Class attendance is REQUIRED.  Lectures and readings include the primary materials on which you will be tested; so there is no good way to make up missed classes.  While frequent absences will lead to a lowered grade, total lack of attendance will result in a failing grade.

Academic Integrity: Without exception, all students are expected to know, understand, and conform to the Iowa State University Policy on Academic Integrity.  Zero tolerance applies to all violations.

NOTE:   Questions regarding class material, assignments, or general conduct of the course are best raised during office hours.  I strongly invite students to meet with me individually or in small groups throughout the semester.