ANT 150 - Global Issues-Local Perspec

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: General

Examines a variety of ways in which global connections affect cultural groups. Introduces the concepts and historical backdrop needed to understand global processes with specific cases from anthropological research that illuminate ties between local effect and general changes. The concept of “culture” is explained from critical and historical perspectives, along with recent shifts in theorizing and applying anthropological knowledge. The uses of qualitative field research in studies of globalization are emphasized. Students conduct a small topic-focused research project to see how globalization affects local processes in Iowa.
Prerequisite OR Corequisite: ANT 105 or instructor approval
Competencies

Demonstrate an understanding of basic anthropological concepts and theories.
1. Define the basic characteristics of culture and their use in anthropological discourse.
2. Define basic concepts in cultural anthropology including emic/etic, cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, race as a biological myth and social reality, sex and gender, culture specific meaning, and cultural logic.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of key anthropologists and their theoretical contributions.
4. Define ethnography and explain basic ethnographic field study methods.
5. Explain the four fields on North American anthropology through a holistic perspective.
Examine anthropological perspectives on global change and their local effects.
1. Explain globalization and the problems in defining it.
2. Identify modes of human adaptation to local environments.
3. Explain the mobilization of local human agency to oppose the effects of globalization.
4. Analyze the local-global continuum and its relevance to ethnographic research and ethnology.
5. Outline key components of global interactions including time-space compression, wealth accumulation, and uneven development.
Examine the history of colonization as it relates to globalization.
1. Summarize the effects of colonialism and their relevance to anthropological theory.
2. Identify the legacies of colonialism and their consequences on postcolonial social issues.
3. Examine case studies to understand postcolonial realities through global and local perspectives.
4. Explain the World Systems Theory as set forth by Immanuel Wallerstein and the implications of the theory for a global social structure.
5. Analyze the social tensions embedded in Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty in contrast to everyday realities as part of a nation state.
Critically evaluate current issues in globalization as they relate to anthropological theories.
1. Discuss cross-cultural research on gender and gender stratification and how globalization processes can affect gender equality.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the intersections of global and local economic spheres.
3. Survey political strategies for managing diverse and mobile populations.
4. Explain human strategies of adaptation to the changing natural and social environments.
Formulate an understanding of the role of new technologies in addressing old and new problems as well as sources of new social issues.
1. Outline the approaches and goals of cultural anthropology in studying new technologies.
2. Explain the concept of the digital divide.
3. Analyze human interactions in cyberspace as proponents and opponents of globalization.
4. Examine concepts of cross-cultural communication and their roles in local internalization of new cultural ideas.
Design a research project on a topic that engages with the global-local continuum by using anthropological methods and perspectives.
1. Develop a research idea using anthropological perspectives.
2. Summarize key findings from a targeted literature review.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of anthropological analysis of ethnographic data.
4. Construct a coherent analysis of the research data as it speaks to human interactions with globalization.

Competencies Revised Date: 3/2/2020