Evaluation & Assignments – ANTH 326 – Anthropology

PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE (20%):
Attendance is required; after the first two weeks, a sign-in sheet will be circulated. If you sign-in and depart, this will be noted. There will be in-class discussions. If you are absent, you cannot participate. (See VIU Calendar, General Regulations – Attendance.)

Active participation is contributing to all class activities. I am interested in the quality of comments and/or questions raised during discussion. Be an informed participant, i.e., read the assigned chapters and/or articles!

For those who are less confident about speaking in class, you can still participate through VIULearn. Each student is expected to contribute to the various discussion topics, either by posting a relevant article, or commenting on one submitted by a classmate. The latter should be substantive, i.e., an informed opinion, not one that states agreement. In some cases, everyone will be asked to respond to a discussion post.

Submitting your TCPS certificate matters, please do so in a timely manner. It shows your commitment to this class. Your TCPS is due: February 17.

To receive full credit for participation (quality counts!), you must 1) attend class, 2) participate fully in class activities (discussion, etc.), 3) submit your TCPS certificate, and 4) post to VIULearn.

NOTE: Submissions to VIULearn will be accepted up to Tuesday, April 19, 11:30pm.

OPINION PIECE (5%):
You are encouraged to learn outside the classroom by taking advantage of on- and off-campus events. During the semester, I will post other possibilities as I become aware of them. If there is an event that you wish to attend that I have not listed, please check with me.

Attend an event and submit an opinion piece (no more than 250-300 words) through VIULearn.

opin-ion \ ə-’pin-yə n \ n. 1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary 11th Edition)

As the above definition implies, I am interested in your response to the event. Your commentary is NOT to be a summary. Be reflective, support your opinion.

NOTE: This is the only assignment that can be considered ‘optional’; there is no penalty if you do not complete this other than missing 5% of your mark.

Last day to post: Tuesday, April 19, 11:30pm

REFLECTIVE NOTES (25%)
As the course progresses, there will be several in-class exercises. In no more than 100 words, you are to reflect on what you have learned; in other words, this is thoughtful commentary, descriptive narrative should be minimal. Identify and date the particular class activity. Submit FIVE reflections through VIULearn.

Last date to submit notes: Tuesday, March 29

FINAL ESSAY (30%)

Guelke employs photovoice in her study, The Living Inca Town (2021, 13-16). In this final project, you practice both aspects of this method, that is, taking photographs to reflect a particular topic, discuss it in class (April 5) to receive commentary/feedback from your classmates, then incorporate the latter into your submission.

Topics to consider are 1. tourism in Nanaimo, 2. being a student at VIU, and 3. racism. If you are wondering about the latter, I have included it because CREATE is co-hosting the Anti-Racism Arts Festival again. As well, some of you are aware that I am working with Nanaimo Museum on this very topic.

I will have more information on photovoice on VIULearn.

Take 2-6 photos for the class aspect of this project. From these, determine which are best at conveying the particular point(s) you wish to highlight, including class response. Your paper should synthesize what you have learned; it is more than the photos. I am interested in hearing your opinion; therefore, you need to take a position regarding the selected topic, and then, support it. Incorporate information from your class readings, and lectures/discussion, where appropriate.

Referencing is to follow the Chicago Manual of Style (Author-Date). All citations are to be fully referenced. (Paraphrasing also requires citation of source.) To not do so will be considered plagiarism (which comes with an academic penalty). Wikipedia is NOT an appropriate reference source!

Papers should be no more than 5 pages in length, excluding photographs, endnotes and/or bibliography. Your paper is to be submitted typed, double-spaced, 11-12pt font size. Margins should be 2.5cm.

Students interested in completing this assignment through another medium, I am open to accepting a 10-15-minute audio or video podcast. A bibliography will be submitted separately. If this speaks to you, please talk to me about this option well in advance of the due date.

Your “paper” will be evaluated according to the following: 1) your understanding of the chosen theme(s) or issue(s); 2) balanced presentation of the book and film; 3) critical thinking; and 4) spelling, grammar, and presentation.

DUE: Thursday, April 14

NOTE:

Assignments are due in class or through VIULearn (follow instructions). If there are exceptional and/or extenuating circumstances, such as illness or a death in the family, please notify me as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made. (See VIU Calendar, General Regulations.) In such cases, outstanding work (exam or assignments) typically must be submitted before the start of the final exam period. If in doubt, talk to me!
Read “On Writing” to ensure that you understand my expectations of a writing assignment.
If you need help with your writing, please seek assistance from the Writing Centre, The Library, Nanaimo Campus, Fourth Floor, Room 474 Contact the Writing Centre at local 2115, or make an appointment online. As well, refer to the numerous “how to” handouts available online.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught plagiarizing will automatically receive an F as their final grade. VIU Student Academic Code of Conduct (policy 96.01)

All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.
–James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (8 Dec 1894-1961)

Last update 2022-01-11