RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE

Anthropology/Geography Department

ANTHROPOLOGY 204: ART, SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Dr. Epple                                                                                              Office Hours: M-Th by appointment

Office: Gaige Hall 116E                                                                    

Phone: 456-8487 or 8005               E-mail: gepple@ric.edu or stripeydbass@comcast.net 

The course investigates the creation, interpretation and evaluation of the arts as expressions of socio-cultural acts.  Emphasis is on the study of art and artist in socio-cultural context, cen­tering on anthro­pological studies of non-Western traditions.  Art forms to be consider­ed may include the visual arts, music, dance and dramatic performance.

The study and treatment of the arts of traditional societies ("primi­tive art") historically has been an important part of the anthropo­lo­gical endeavor.  Late nineteenth and early twentieth century ethno­graphic studies considered art a part of material culture and, as such, tended to treat art separately from the total cultural milieu.  Later studies emphasized the aesthetic approach to traditional art and sought to establish universal linkages between "primitive" and Western art.  Recently, the study of the arts of traditional societies has developed a more comprehensive and analytical approach to the understanding of art and the artist in full socio-cul­tural context and has become a widely recognized field of speciali­zation within the discipline of anthropology.

BOOKS:         R. Anderson: Calliope's Sisters.  Prentice-Hall. 1990.

AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS:  A variety of audio-visual materials will be used in this class; films, videotapes and slides will be shown in class on a regular basis.  This material will not be available outside of class; therefore, it is imperative that you make every effort to be at all classes.  Some classes may involve off-campus field trips; you will need to arrange your schedule to participate in these activities or be prepared to do them at an alternative time (if available).

TESTS, PAPERS, AND GRADING:  The following will be used in the deter­mination of your grade for the course; approximate weight in cal­cu­lation of your final grade is indicated.

Mid-term .............................................           15%

Final Exam ...........................................         15%

                        Journal ................................................           30%

                        In-Class Presentations ………………...     40%

Note:  MAKE-UP EXAMS will be given only when reasons for absence have been documented to the instructor.  You must submit to the instructor a WRITTEN REQUEST to take a make-up exam.

E-MAIL:          All students must provide the instructor with an email address.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

(a)  Missed exams:  A written request to make up a missed exam must be submitted to the instructor as soon after the scheduled exam as possible.  The make-up test must be taken as soon after the scheduled exam as possible.  If no written request is submitted, or if the instructor does not approve a make-up, the missed exam may be taken at the same test period as the exam during final exam week.  Failure to make up an exam will result in a grade of "0" for the missed exam.

(b) Journal:  Each student will be expected to keep a "journal" for the semester in addition to a class notebook.  The journal will count for 25% of the final grade.  Requirements for the keeping of the journal will be discussed in class and distributed in writing.

(c) In-Class Presentations: Short in-class presentations will be scheduled for small groups based on information acquired through journal activities or other research.  The presentations will relate to the assigned readings and/or cultures being examined in the course.  Each group will be responsible for researching, organizing and presenting information and analyses which further the class’s understanding of the issues and cases under consideration.

(d) Plagiarism is a serious offense.  Please refer to Student Handbook and style manuals for definitions, consequences and information on how to properly cite sources and construct footnotes.

(e) Rhode Island College is committed to making reasonable efforts to assist individuals with documented disabilities.  If you are seeking reasonable classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, you are required to register with the Student Life Office.  The S.L.O. is located in Rm. 127 in Craig-Lee Hall.  Phone is 456-8061.  To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper S.L.O. forms and meet with me at the beginning of the semester.

(e) General Advising:  Please feel free to discuss any problems you may have with the course at any time.  Better safe than sorry.