General Information

Classroom Behaviour

Learning takes many forms. In this class, you are encouraged to actively participate. This means sharing your thoughts and ideas, as well as listening to others. In some cases, we may agree to disagree, but in this regard we must still remember to respect the opinions of others. Every class member should feel free to speak

Refrain from engaging in disruptive activities. Chatting with your friends during class is not the purpose of your attending the VIU; leave that kind of conversation for between-classes. Turn cell-phones OFF while in class.

You are responsible for being in class on time. Looking for a parking space is not an adequate reason for being late. If you need to leave early, as a courtesy, please inform me. Early departures, as well as late arrivals, are disruptions to the class. You have a timetable, plan your activities accordingly. Be respectful of your classmates.

Plagiarism

This falls within the category of Academic Misconduct, which includes cheating. Most students recognise what constitutes cheating, but often are less aware of what constitutes plagiarism. Basically, this is appropriating another’s work or ideas as one’s own. In academia, one regularly borrows ideas, even passages from a text (within reason). This is perfectly acceptable as long as you properly attribute the source. Paraphrasing still requires proper citation. If you are still unclear as to What is plagiarism?, see the online article by S.E. Van Bramer of Widener University. Franklin University Library also has a style manual to avoid plagiarism, which also includes the use of APA style. See also VIU’s Libguide: Using Information Ethically.

Citing References

Each discipline has its own reference style guide. Some of you may be familiar with the MLA Style Guide or the Chicago Manual of Style. In anthropology, references are cited within the text (author and date, and page number where appropriate) following the style guides of either the Chicago Manual of Style or the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). As of September 2015, the American Anthropological Association has adopted the Chicago Manual of Style.  The Chicago Manual of Style includes how to properly use in-text citation (author-date) and references in one’s bibliography. The complete SAA Style Guide (& Editorial Policy) can be accessed online. Internet sources also need to be properly referenced; examples are provided in both Chicago and SAA-style guides.

Ethics & Human Subjects

As noted by Serena Nanda, “anthropology is, first and foremost, about people” (1999, 158). Anthropologists have an effect on others–those who they live with and those who are collaborators. There are three main ethical principles that must guide fieldwork: acquiring informed consent, protecting informants from risk, and respecting privacy and dignity.

Students and faculty need to follow the VIU’s institutional policy regarding “Research involving Human Subjects.” Information on how to proceed is under the “The Application and Review Process,” included are links to: forms and guides, FAQs, and links.

The American Anthropological Association (AAA) has a source page on ethics; included are different associations with online ethics codes. Those of you pursuing anthropology careers should review AAA’s 2012 Statement of Ethics.  Also, have a look at the Handbook on Ethical Issues in Anthropology (AAA Special Publication #23).

Nanda, Serena. 1999. Neither Man nor Woman: The Hijras of India. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Study Skills

Evaluating Web Pages

  • Widener University’s website will help you evaluate web pages regarding authority and accuracy, and outlines criteria to consider. Web page types include advocacy, business/marketing, news, informational and personal. Examples are provided.
  • Cornell University Library offers a library guide to Evaluating Websites, listing five evaluation categories.
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a web page on Tutorials for Research, which includes one specifically on Evaluating Your Sources.

Creating a Poster Presentation

  • An Effective Poster is the creation of George Hess, Kathryn Tosney, and Leon Liegel of North Carolina State University. It covers all the details from planning to presentation. Examples and resources are included.
  • The University of Guelph Teaching Support Services provides a step-by-step guide on Effective Poster Design.  It is thorough in its coverage of topics.
  • This is an online article from the SAA Bulletin (November 1996) by Jane Eva Baxter entitled, Getting Graphic! Making an Effective Poster.  Included are tips on what makes a winning poster.
  • Check VIU’s Libguide for Presentation Design and Delivery.

General Study Skills

  • Paul Brians’ (Washington State University) website on Common Errors in English focuses on American English language usage; nevertheless, there is plenty to learn from his site. Click “go to Errors” to see the full range of paired errors. He also includes reference links.
  • Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) Student Learning Support Services has a Studyhub of resources. The three main resource categories are: Reading and Research, Writing Assignments, Using Clear Language, Studying Smarter, Postgraduate Research and Writing, and Achieving in Math and Stats. PDF-documents are downloadable.
  • Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center offers a number of online study skills workshops through its Academic Resources web page. Among the topics under Study Skills Information are time-scheduling, note-taking and in-class skills, writing papers, reading techniques, and more.  Check out the links under Online Study Skills Workshops, as well.
  • Like many study skills sites, this one from Dartmouth College covers a lot of ground on Learning Strategies to maximize one’s learning experience. Videos on a range of topics are also available.
  • This University of Minnesota’s Counseling and Consulting Services offers a number of Self-Help Materials, including Study Skills Handouts on a range of topics, such as, Exams, Note-taking, and Writing (Term Papers, Writing Strategies).
  • Study Guide and Strategies is the creation of Joe Landsberger.  It has tips in English, which also have been translated into more than a dozen different languages, including Chinese and Russian. There are guides on learning and studying, project and time management, writing and vocabulary, thinking and evaluation, reading and research, and even math and science.
  • If you are interested in improving your vocabulary, subscribe to A.Word.A.Day to receive a ‘new’ word Monday through Friday. Included are: the word’s etymology, a link to its pronunciation, and examples of its use.

Last updated 2017-12-28