Anthropology Syllabus




Language and Culture
Anthropology 14 Syllabus
Prof. K. Brison Spring term 1996

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Course Description:

NOTE: This is a required course for anthropology majors.

This course examines the complex relationship between culture and language. Lectures and readings will use case materials drawn from North America, Oceania, and Europe to explore various theories about how language is shaped by, and in turn shapes, culture and social relations. We will start by looking at the influence of linguistic categories on the way we view the world around us. We will look at color terminology, racial and ethnic categories, pronoun use, and differences in vocabulary used to talk about men and women. Next, we will turn to cultural differences in communicative behavior. We will examine theories that suggest that males and females, and members of various ethnic groups, use language differently in everyday social interaction. These differences in communicative strategies lead to systematic miscommunication and perpetuate stereotypes. Finally, we will explore the ways that language reflects and supports social class, and the patterning of language use in multilingual nations.

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Course Requirements:

  1. Two midterm exams, in class 40%
  2. Final exam 25%
  3. Two 5-6 page (double spaced) papers, based on observation of language use 30%
  4. Homework assignments and class participation 5%
The success of the class will depend on active participation by everyone. Participation will have a beneficial influence on your grade. It is important to attend class and to keep up with the readings. Homework assignments will be distributed in class every two or three weeks. We will discuss homework assignments in class so you should be sure to have completed each assignment by the beginning of the class in which it is due.

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Books for Purchase:

  1. Metaphors We Live By, George Lakoff and Mark Johnson.
  2. Veiled Sentiments, Lila Abu-Lughod.
  3. Portraits of the Whiteman, Keith Basso.
  4. Talking From Nine to Five, Deborah Tannen.
  5. Language and Social Identity, John Gumperz (ed.). (Note: We will only be reading 5 of the papers in this book; if you do not want to purchase the book you can read these articles on reserve at Schaffer Library).
In addition, several xeroxed readings have been placed on reserve at Schaffer library.

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Topics:

  1. Week 1
  2. Week 2
  3. Week 3
  4. Week 4
  5. Week 5
  6. Week 6
  7. Week 7
  8. Week 8
  9. Week 9
  10. Week 10
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