Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Anthropological Theory and Methods (Face-to-Face)

ANTH 3990-01

Course: ANTH 3990-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: History, Sociology & Anthro
CRN: 31585

Course Description

This seminar provides an overview of the major theoretical schools in cultural anthropology and archaeology and introduces students to fundamental research methods practiced within anthropology. The course employs a historical perspective, moving from the 19th through the 21st centuries. Theories from each era are matched with examples of appropriate methodologies, showing their interrelation. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ANTH 1010 and ANTH 1020 and ANTH 2030 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

REQUIRED READINGS: Some class materials will be posted on Canvas [abbreviated Canvas in the course schedule]. There are also two required books for this course. They are both widely available for rental or purchase as ebooks, or new and used paperbacks from online vendors.
  1. Erickson, Paul A. and Liam D. Murphy. 2021. A History of Anthropological Theory, Sixth Edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. [Abbreviated History in the course schedule]. ISBN: 9781442636835
  2. Erickson, Paul A. and Liam D. Murphy. 2021. Readings for a History of Anthropological Theory, Sixth Edition. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. [Abbreviated Readings in the course schedule]. ISBN: 9781487526320

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester students will have a basic knowledge of:
  • The history of Anthropological thought in the United States
  • Current theoretical trends in Anthropology
  • Ethical issues in anthropological fieldwork and research
  • Principles of research design
  • Some useful qualitative ethnographic methods
  • Techniques of analyzing data in conversation with anthropological theory
  • Skills in proposal writing, including crafting a literature review and an annotated bibliography

Course Requirements

  • 2 Presentations on Class Readings/Anthropologists 10% 10 points (5 pts./each)
  • 2 Class Debates on Anthro. theoretical controversies 10% 10 points (5 pts./each)
  • 2 Methods Assignments 10% 10 points (5 pts./each)
  • Midterm Exam 20% 20 points
  • Final Exam 20% 20 points
  • Human subjects IRB training 05% 5 points
  • Annotated Bibliography for proposed research project 05% 5 points
  • Draft of Research Proposal & Peer reviews of proposals 15% 15 points
  • Participation (class discussions and activities, attendance, etc.) 05% 5 points
Total 100 points

93+ pts= A   73-76 = C
90-92 = A-   70-72 = C-
87-89 = B+   67-69 = D+
83-88 = B   63-66 = D
80-82 = B-   60-62 = D-
77-78 = C+   0-59 = F

Course Outline

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
 Dates | Topics | Readings & Assignments
9/3   | Introductions and Course Mechanics | No Readings; Reading Pres. Guidelines & Sign up sheet passed out

PART 1: The Early History of Anthropological Theory
9/8 & 9/10    | The Early History of Anth. Theory; Marxism  The Early History of Anth. Theory; Darwinism & Social Darwinism | History: pgs. 1-29; Readings: Marx & Engels “Bourgeois and Proletarians.” History: pgs. 30-58; Readings: Tylor “The Science of Culture;” Morgan “Ethnical Periods;” & Darwin: “General Summary and Conclusion” [The Descent of Man]

9/15 & 9/17   | The Early History of Anth. Theory concluded; Freud, Durkheim, Weber, and de Saussure   Franz Boas!; film: Franz Boas: The Shackles of Tradition   | History: pgs. 59-76; Readings: Durkheim “Introduction” [The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life]; Mauss “Conclusion” [The Gift: The Form and Reason for Exchange in Archaic Societies].  History: pgs. 77-81; Readings: Boas “The Methods of Ethnology;” Coming up with a Research Question assignment passed out
 
Part 2: The Early 20th Century
9/22  &  9/24       | American Cultural Anthropology:  Franz Boas, Robert Lowie, Alfred Kroeber   American Cultural Anthropology: Zora Neal Hurston, Ruth Benedict, & Edward Sapir | History: pgs. 82-97; Readings: Lowie “Conclusion” [ Primitive Society]; Kroeber “What Anthropology is About;” Methods Assignment #1 Passed Out   History: pgs. 98-103; Readings: Benedict “The Individual and the Pattern of Culture;” Sapir “The Unconscious Patterning of Behavior in Society;” & Hurston “Intro. & Pt. 1: Folk Tales, John and the Frog, Witness of the Johnstown Flood in Heaven” [Mules and Men]; Debate 1 guidelines passed out

9/29  &  10/1    | Meet with Debate Group; Film: Margaret Mead: An Observer Observed The Mead/Freeman controversy/class debate  | Readings: Mead “Introduction” [Coming of Age in Samoa]  Canvas: “Freeman: Margaret Mead and Samoa” or “Shankman: The Trashing of Margaret Mead.” (depending upon your debate group); Class Debate #1

10/6    &   10/8    | British Social Anthropology: Radcliffe-Brown, Malinowski, Evans-Pritchard, Leach, and Gluckman; Film: Strangers Abroad, Ep. 4: Off the Verandah   Structural Anthropology: Claude Lévi-Strauss; Mary Douglas; Marshall Sahlins  | History: pgs. 104-116; Readings: Radcliffe-Brown “Social Structure;” Malinowksi “The Subject, Method, and Scope of This Inquiry” [Argonauts of the Western Pacific]; Gluckman: “Rituals of Rebellion in South-East Africa;” Debate 2 Guidelines passed out History: pg. 117-127; Readings: Levi-Strauss “Structuralism and Ecology;” Douglas: “Introduction” [Purity and Danger]; Sahlins “Introduction” [Islands of History]; Methods Assignment #1 due; Methods Assignment #2 Passed Out

Part 3: The Later 20th Century
10/13   &   10/15      | Meet with your Captain Cook Class Debate group (Obeyesekere vs. Sahlins)    The Captain Cook Class Debate (Obeyesekere vs. Sahlins) |        Canvas: Sahlins excerpt from “How Natives Think;” Obeyesekere excerpt from “The Apotheosis of Captain Cook” (depending upon your debate group); Midterm Review Sheet passed out  ·       Class Debate #2

10/20  & 10/22    |        FALL BREAK – No Class  ·       In Class, blue-book Midterm Exam | Catch up on readings  Midterm Exam

10/27   &  10/29   | Human Subjects Ethics; Do online IRB Human Subjects Training [CITI Registration & Training].       Cultural Neo-Evolutionism; The New Archaeology  | ·       Complete online IRB Human Subjects Training; Download your completion report and certificate and submit to CANVAS by 11/3  ·       History: pgs. 128-135; Readings: White “Energy and Tools;” Binford “Archaeology as Anthropology”

11/3    &   11/5 | ·       Cultural Materialism; Nature vs. Nurture; Sociobiology      ·       Symbolic & Interpretive Anthropology | ·       History: pgs. 136-145; Readings: Washburn “The New Physical Anthropology;” Harris “The Epistemology of Cultural Materialism;” Research Question Due; Annotated Bibliography assignment passed out  ·       History: pgs. 146-152; Readings: Turner “Symbols in Ndembu Ritual;” Geertz “Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture”

11/10  & 11/12   | ·       Post Processual Archaeology   ·       Anthropology & Feminism   | ·       History: pgs.153-158; Canvas: Hodder “Post-processual Archaeology”  ·       History: pgs. 158-164; Readings: Slocum “Woman the Gatherer: Male Bias in Anthropology;” Di Leonardo “The Female World of Cards and Holidays: Women, Families, and the Work of Kinship”

11/17    &     11/19   | ·       Political Economy; Postcolonialism; Linguistic Anthropology       ·       Postmodernity   | ·       History: pgs. 165-182; Readings: Wolf “Introduction” [Europe and the People with History]; Said “Knowing the Oriental;” Hymes “Introduction: Toward Ethnographies of Communication;” Annotated Bibliography Due; Research Proposal Assignment Passed out  ·       History: pgs. 183-198; Readings: Foucault: “The Subject and Power;” Bourdieu “Structures, Habitus, and Practices”

Thanksgiving Break  | Relax and work on your research proposals 

Part IV: The Early 21st Century
12/1    &   12/3 | Globalization; Culture, Gender, and Sexualities     Public Anthropology | History: pgs. 199-208; Readings:  Appadurai “Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy;” Walks ““We’re Here and We’re Queer!” An Introduction to Studies in Queer Anthropology” History: pgs. 209-220; Readings: Lamphere: “David Maybury-Lewis and Cultural Survival: Providing a Model for Public Anthropology;” Meet with Dr. Dean to discuss research proposals (individual appts. throughout the week)

12/8      &    12/10 | Collaborative Anthropology; Anthropologies of the Digital Age       Where are we Going? A Canon in Question; The Anthropocene | ·       History: pgs. 221-242; Readings: Boskovic and Eriksen “Introduction” [Other People’s Anthropologies];Todd “An Indigenous Feminist’s Take on the Ontological Turn: “Ontology” Is Just Another Word for Colonialism;” Horst and Miller: “From Kinship to Link-up: Cell Phones and Social Networking in Jamaica”  ·       History: pgs. 243-end; Readings: Hodder “Introduction: Contemporary Theoretical Debate in Archaeology’ [Archaeological Theory Today]; Marks “Introduction” [Is Science Racist?: Debating Race]; Tsing “Earth Stalked by Man;” Final Review Sheet Passed Out; Submit Draft of Research Proposal to Dr. Dean by Friday, 12/11

12/16 | Final Exam, Wed., 3-4:50pm | ·       Study for Final Exam

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Unless you have a valid and verifiable excuse, I do not offer make up exams. While you may submit late assignments, I will deduct one point per day late. I will not accept any late work after the last day of classes unless you have arranged to receive an incomplete.

Attendance Policy

You are allowed two freebie, no excuse needed absences over the course of the semester. After that, any unexcused absences, or consistent patterns of tardiness will negatively impact your participation grade in the course.

Course Etiquette

·       Please refrain from using your cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic/digital media in class unless you demonstrably need said device for learning purposes (i.e. taking notes, sharing an oral presentation for the class with classmates). They are a distraction for me, for your classmates, and for yourselves. I have found a remarkable correlation over the years: those students with headphones on and those students who text (and those who do both simultaneously) tend to perform more poorly than those that do not.
·       When emailing me please indicate which class you are in and what your name is (i.e. ANTH 3200, Jane Smith).  
·       Feel free to ask questions and to express your opinions and thoughts in class, but please do so in a respectful and polite manner. 
·       If you need to arrive late or leave early for some reason, please let me know beforehand if possible and try not to disrupt your fellow students when exiting or entering the room.  

Course Policy on the use of AI

The use of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:
·       Helping you find information on your topic (it is your responsibility to cross check and verify that information!).
·       Checking grammar and style.
The use of generative AI tools is NOT permitted in this course for the following activities:
·       Coming up with research questions (this is an important part of learning to be a researcher).
·       Impersonating yourself in classroom contexts.
·       Completing individual or group work. 
·       Composing a draft of a writing assignment.
·       Writing entire sentences, paragraphs, or papers to complete class assignments.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). If using AI tools, it must be properly documented and cited to stay within university policies on academic honesty. Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will receive a zero in the assignment. If you are in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.