Anthropology 1354 (01), Expressive Culture Dr. Miguel Díaz-Barriga Spring 2016 miguel.diazbarriga@utrgv.edu, X2377 SBS, 101, MW, 10:50-12:05 SBS 335, M, 12:00-1:30, W, 9-10:30. Textbook and/or Resource Material Américo Paredes, With His Pistol in His Hand, University of Texas-Austin, 1959 Cortez, Constance, Carmen Lomas Garza, University of Minnesota, 2010. Course Description and Prerequisites The examination of language of human expressive culture in a multicultural perspective. The course reviews such topics as human tradition, folkways, folk literature and poetry, folk drama, indigenous literature, architecture, and religious expressions. The objective of this course is to expand the student s knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values articulated in the language of expressive behavior. Prerequisites: None Learning Objectives/Outcomes for the Course 1. To understand how differing notions of culture impact the ways in which we view cultural expression and everyday life. 2. To appreciate the rich forms of cultural analysis and complex theories available for understanding culture. 3. To understand how artists and writers have engaged citizenship, including social and personal responsibility. 4. To acknowledge the centrality of ethnography to cultural analysis and the intersections between theory and method. 5. To better understand of South Texas culture and history. 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic anthropological concepts and anthropological perspective. 7. Understand basic procedures of anthropological research and be able to analyze anthropological data. 8. To understand a variety of disciplinary approaches to expressive culture. 9. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities. 10. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and cultural context. 11. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts. 12. To improve communication skills including powerpoint presentations and writing ability, including the use of the Chicago Manual of Style for formatting and references. Core Curriculum Requirements ANTH 1354, Expressive Culture, is in the Language, Philosophy & Culture category. Objectives are: critical thinking, communication, social responsibility, personal responsibility. SR is defined: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in
regional, national, and global communities. PR is defined: to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. Grading Policies Class Participation and Attendance (10%): note that the professor will take attendance. Three examinations (20% each for a total of 60%): Each examination will be a combination of T/ F, Multiple Choice, and short essays. Students should plan on bringing a blue book and scantron to each examination. The professor will conduct an examination preparation before each examination so that students will be able to prepare productively. Corrido Project (10%): Students present a corridor to the class. You should start looking for a corrido at the beginning of the class. This project is fun! All students are expected to make a short presentation to the class based on three powerpoint slides though we may not be able to get through the entire class. The first slide should have the corrido. On the second a) how this corrido fits into the classic corrido structure, b) why you chose this corrido (reasons can range from I listen to corridos all the time and like this one to I have never heard of a corrido so I asked friends for suggestions). On the third slide you should have a paragraph describing the historical events that the corrido describes. You might have to do a little research on this but remember we only need one paragraph! Essay (20%): A 1,000 word essay that explores the application of a theory of expressive culture to a particular case. For example, the essay could examine the applicability of Rosaldo's and Geertz s understanding of culture for understanding art. Students should focus on class readings to draw examples or make comparisons. No outside reading or research is necessary for this paper. The essay should be typed and double spaced. In the introduction and conclusion the student should state his or her view about the authors covered and/or the possible need for new forms of cultural analysis. This paper is a thought piece. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: Attendance and punctuality is expected of all students, as quality class participation will comprise a significant portion of each student s grade. The instructor will call roll. Students are expected to contribute relevant commentaries and observations throughout the course; for this reason it is especially vital that students attend class. Readings from blackboard, videos shown in class, and all lecture materials will constitute sources of information for which the student is responsible. Important: the instructor will not supply class notes or slides outside of lectures, so take notes diligently. LATE WORK: Late work is only accepted with prior approval of the professor. Work that is handed in late will have one letter grade deducted. Work that goes beyond the approved late deadline will have two letter grades deducted. Work that is more than two weeks past the approved second deadline will not be accepted. Calendar of Activities January 20 First Day of Class February 17 Exam 1 February 24 Corrido Projects Due March 14-18 Spring Break March 23 Exam 2 April 13 Drop/Withdrawal Deadline May 4 Exam 3 May 5 Study Day May 6 Final Papers Due
UTRGV Policy Statements STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu. MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account (http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted through email with further instructions. Online evaluations will be available Nov. 18 Dec. 9, 2015. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE: In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. COURSE DROPS: According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class should be aware of
the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time. January 20 M. Class Overview January 25-27 M. Film: With His Pistol In His Hand* W. With His Pistol in His Hand: 1-125 February 1-3 M. Film: Justice For My People* W. Culture-Rosaldo II (Blackboard) February 8-10 M. El Veterano Reading (Blackboard) W. Dorsey and Diaz-Barriga, Border Wall (Blackboard) February 15-17 M. Constance Cortez, Carmen Lomas Garza, University of Minnesota Press, 2010, 1-59. W. Exam 1 Corridos, Veterans, and Cultural Change February 22-24 M. Constance Cortez, Carmen Lomas Garza, University of Minnesota Press, 2010, 59-97 W. Corrido Projects Due Gloria Anzaldua, Borderlands/La Frontera (Blackboard) February 29-March 2 M. Tomas Ybarra Frausto, Rasquachismo A Chicano Sensibility (Blackboard) LACMA, What Makes Modern Art Modern? (Blackboard) W. Feb 26 What is Culture? Clifford Geertz (Blackboard) March 7-9 Oct 19 : Film: The Merchants of Cool Oct 21: Dorsey, Pachangas. March 14-16 Spring Break March 21-23 M. Art and Poetry Presentation W. Exam 2: Art, Culture, and Ethnography
March 28-30 M. What is Culture? Commodities and Culture, Marx (Blackboard) W. Film: Sleep Dealer April 4-6 M. What is Culture? Commodities and Culture (Marx) W. What is Culture? Discourse and Discipline, Foucault (Blackboard) April 11-13 M. What is Culture? Disccourse and Discipline, Foucault (Blackboard) W. Modernist Architecture (Blackboard) April 18-20 M: Film: The Thin Blue Line W: Film: Harlan County USA April 25-27 M. Documentary Filmmaking (Blackboard) W. First Draft of Paper Due, Discussion Groups May 2-4 M. Exam Preparation W. Exam 3: Culture, Poverty, and Modernity. Final Paper Due: May 6 by 5 PM. Papers should be left in the Sociology and Anthropology Department Office.