This course examines cultural diversity around the world by presenting anthropological case studies on a variety of societies.  In order to do this effectively, the first couple of weeks will focus on what exactly anthropologists study and why. In this introductory section of the course, students will be introduced to terms, theories, and understandings that anthropologists use to analyze and study cultures.  After this conceptual foundation is presented, students will then read case studies from a variety of cultures around the world. Each case study provides information on various elements of cultures, thereby demonstrating the holistic approach the field of anthropology is known for by incorporating many different perspectives to understand the connections between the numerous components of cultures such as economies, ecologies, social formations, religions, kinship patterns, gender relations, global movements of people, political organizations, and many others.

By being briefly introduced to the various cultures and their particularities within the case studies and videos, students will come to appreciate the range of diversity found in cultures around the globe. Students will also gain an appreciation for the fundamental connections within elements of cultures that help to shape the behaviors, expressions and understandings of peoples within societies. At the same time, exposure to several other ways of life practiced around the world should also evoke a curiosity as to how other cultures are similar and different from your own. 

During the final week of class, I will be visiting the island.  During my stay we will be working primarily on two things.  First, using the case studies as a model format to collectively construct an account of your culture.  Each chapter of our text is set up in a similar fashion and introduces us to the elements of cultures that anthropologists have traditionally been concerned with.  This final project will thus allow the class to reflect on aspects of their own culture and present them to me.  Furthermore, the course will include a final group project that will allow students to focus on the educational dimensions of their own culture, specifically through the lens of an anthropological perspective.