Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for ATH 208 Winter 2025


Course Number:
ATH 208
Course Title:
World Ethnography
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Examines classic and contemporary ethnographies from different cultural areas of the world from an anthropological perspective. Considers the impact of ethnocentrism and other forms of cultural bias on individuals or societies. Covers the process of enculturation and how it impacts the development of cultural identity in different societies. Explores anthropologists' roles in the field as advocates and activists as well as scientific observers. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should able to: 

  1. Analyze and compare classic and contemporary ethnographies selected from different cultures and regions of the world.
  2. Describe how enculturation impacts the development of cultural or personal identity.
  3. Discuss how cultural bias and ethnocentrism functions to promote cultural misunderstanding and marginalization at local, regional, national, and global levels.
  4. Discuss the roles of anthropologists as advocates and activists as well as scientific observers.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

General education philosophy statement

Philosophy Statement General Education courses in anthropology are all taught at an introductory level and encourage students to develop skills and abilities in critical thinking and cross-cultural analysis. These courses introduce students to anthropological concepts, theories and methods of inquiry, explore the cultural interconnections between individuals and social institutions, analyze cultural systems and structures of power, and use the comparative method to study the diversity of human thought and experience. This class focuses on the topic of world ethnography. Students will read, analyze and compare different ethnographic case studies from various regions of the world. These ethnographies may cover classic or contemporary cultures or topics or be written by anthropologists from different theoretical schools or time periods.

Aspirational Goals

Students will apply the knowledge gained in this class to their own lives in order to become more culturally aware and accepting.  They will also gain a better understanding of globalization, cultural  marginalization and fieldwork ethics.

Course Activities and Design

Course Activities may include any of the following:

  •  readings
  • lectures
  •  discussions,
  • ethnography exercises
  •  fieldwork experiences
  • presentations
  • guest speakers
  • film viewing

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Outcome Assessment Strategies may include any of the following:

  • exams,
  • quizzes, 
  • short papers
  •  fieldwork reports

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Course Content:


         Themes:

  • world ethnography
  • culture in the global setting
  • ethnographic diversity
  • cultural contrasts
  • impacts of cultural change
  • Concepts
  • culture
  • ethnography
  • cultural relativism
  • globalization

Issues:

  • cultural adaptation
  • cultural relativism
  • ethnocentrism
  • cultural marginalization
  • globalization
  • gender
  • environmental change
     
  • Competencies and Skills:
  • read and write at the college level