Anthropology 305: Fundamentals of Anthropological Writing Fall 20XX Course Description

Anthropology 305: Fundamentals of Anthropological Writing
Fall 20XX
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Course Description
This course provides a general introduction to basic types of writing expected of anthropology
students with emphasis on the subject matter of an upper-division anthropology course in which the
student is currently enrolled.
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior classification and co-enrollment in another upper-division
anthropology course (the “companion course”).
Note: The last three writing assignments are based on the subject matter of the companion course.
These are the ones which are most heavily weighted and a student cannot complete the writing
assignments in ANTH 305 if the companion course is dropped. Therefore, if the companion course is
dropped, ANTH 305 must also be dropped.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to help students:
- Become more familiar with types of writing expected of an anthropology student
- Increase student confidence in these types of writing
- Strengthen general writing skills
- Establish a foundation for continuing development of writing skills
These goals will be pursued through classroom activities and writing assignments. A draft and final
version of each writing assignment are required. The draft will be pass-fail and the final version will
be graded. Because much of the learning in this course occurs in class, regular attendance is
expected. Only in the case of a university-excused absence should any session of the course be
missed (see Attendance Policy below).
Required Texts
Lanham, R. A. (2006) Revising Prose. 5th edition.
Additional articles will be available on the elearning website: http://elearning.tamu.edu
Grading Policies
Rough drafts are graded pass/fail. Final drafts will be graded based on content, organization, and
mechanics as covered in class. **Ten points will be subtracted for each day or partial day a final
version is late, except in the case of a university-approved absence**
Grading will be as follows:
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
59 and below F
In this course, 90% of the grade will be based on written assignments. The remaining 10% will be
based on class participation. In order to receive an A in the class, you must regularly attend and
participate in discussion. The graded assignments, their lengths, and their contributions to overall
class grade are as follows:
E-mail letter of introduction
Critique Assignment
Curriculum vitae/résumé
Letter of Intent/Application
Abstract (x2)
Annotated Bibliography
Article for the Non-Specialist
250 words
500 words
600 words
200 words each
1000 words
2000 words
P/F
5%
5%
10%
20%
20%
30%
No extra credit will be offered during this course.
Writing Assignment Information
E-mail Introduction: In many cases, the first contact made with an instructor, graduate program, or
potential employer is in the form of e-mail. The letter of introduction should be addressed to your
instructor. You should use a proper salutation and closing and briefly introduce yourself (your
background, interests, and goals as an anthropology student) and the course you are taking in tandem
with ANTH 305. Your introduction to the “companion course” should demonstrate an understanding
of the subdiscipline of anthropology into which the course fits and its relevance to your major and
ultimate goals within the discipline of anthropology. (250 words)
Critique Assignment: The critique assignment is designed to give you practice in reviewing and
critiquing the work of others, as well as your own work. Students will read and critique a short paper
using a rubric and then will choose a grade for that paper. Results will be discussed in class to reveal
subjective differences in reviewing methods. This assignment will also assist students in choosing
their “specialties” for peer review.
Curriculum Vitae or Résumé: This type of writing should not be treated as “one size fits all”.
Instead, it should be an opportunity to present yourself, your research interests, and goals. Compose a
resume or CV that reflects your “anthropological persona.” (500 words)
CV: A CV is an academic résumé. Therefore, if you choose to write a CV, it should be
directed toward applying for a graduate program.
Résumé: If you are not planning to apply to a graduate program, you should write a résumé
directed toward either a job you are planning to apply for or your “dream job.” The résumé
should still reflect your interests within anthropology and skills you have learned in college.
Letter of Application: The letter should either be a personal statement for graduate school
applications or a cover letter to accompany your résumé. The letter of application is a two-part
assignment.
Part I: Describe the job, internship, or graduate program to which the letter will be directed.
You should conduct some informal research into the available types of jobs, graduate
programs, or internships before attempting this assignment. (100 words)
Part II: Write a letter of application to the graduate program, job, or internship described in
Part I. (500 words) Optional: For additional review and comments, your draft can be emailed to the instructor the Friday before they are due for peer review.
Abstract: Write two abstracts of two different articles relevant to your companion course. The
articles may be taken from a journal or anthology and can be an article used for the final assignment.
(200-250 words each)
Annotated Bibliography: The annotated bibliography will provide some references for the final
writing assignment. The bibliography should contain at least ten annotated sources. At least two must
be books and no more than two Internet sources may be used. The bibliography should include an
introduction describing the proposed research topic. (Introduction: 100 words; Annotations: 50-100
words each)
Article for the Non-specialist: This article must explain a concept drawn from the companion
course to a reading audience composed of anthropology students who are unfamiliar with the subdiscipline from which your topic is drawn. For example, if your companion course is classified as
biological anthropology, the audience would be composed of cultural or archaeology students. (2000
words).
In-Class Assignment Information
Rough Drafts: To permit classroom discussion and peer evaluation, each student should bring 5
copies of each draft to class. Students will receive feedback on drafts from classmates and the
instructor. Small groups of students will discuss group members‟ drafts in class, noting strengths and
making suggestions. Feedback from both classmates and the instructor should be used in preparing
the version to be graded.
Peer Review Groups: Peer review groups will be assigned on the first day of class. Students will
work with group members to review, critique, and revise each group member’s work. Each student
will be asked to “specialize” in one aspect of review in order to strengthen their reviewing,
critiquing, and writing skills. Students are expected to use each other as resources in the writing
process.
Attendance
Regular attendance is necessary to earn a good grade in this course. Points will be removed from
final papers for every day they are late unless a student has a valid University excused absence. The
student is responsible for notifying the instructor of the TAMU-approved excuse. Approved reasons
for absence per TAMU guidelines include:
• Participation in an activity on the Authorized Activity List
• Death or major illness in the student’s immediate family
• Illness of a dependent family member
• Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a student’s
presence
• Religious holy day (see Approved list)
• Injury or illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class (requires
confirmation from medical provider)
• Required participation in military duties
• Mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school that cannot be
rescheduled
For a detailed list of approved absences and policies, please refer to the TAMU Student Rules
(http://student-rules.tamu.edu/). The instructor is not required to provide a makeup examination due
to an unexcused absence.
Class Policies
Active participation in class activities is fundamental to success. Use of cell phones is prohibited
during class hours.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call
845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.edu
Academic Integrity
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Academic dishonesty is not tolerated at Texas A&M University.
“Misconduct in research or scholarship includes fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing,
performing, reviewing, or reporting research. It does not include honest error or honest differences in
interpretations or judgments of data.” For additional information, please refer to
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/.
Course Schedule
Please complete all readings and assignments prior to class
Week
1
Date
Topic
Introduction: The Scope and
Principles of Anthropological
Writing
Due
Peer Review Group
Assignments
2
3
Introduction: Email Introduction
Assignment
Podcast: “Email Etiquette”
Reading: Lanham Ch. 7:
Peer Review: Email Introduction
Electronic Prose
Introduction: Critique Assignment
Lecture: Résumés and Curricula
Vitae
Draft Email Introduction
Reading: Lanham “The Prose
Problem”
and “The Books‟” (elearning)
Discuss: Critique Assignment
Choose Peer Review Specialties
Examples of Anthropological
Résumés/CVs
Letter of Introduction Due
Critique Assignment Due
4
Peer Review: Résumés and CVs
Introduction to Paramedic Method
5
Lecture: Letters of Application
Reading: Lanham Ch. 1:
Action
Draft of Résumés/CV
Reading: Lanham Ch. 2:
Attention
Examples of Application
Letters
6
Peer Review: Letters of
Application
7
Lecture: Writing Abstracts
Résumé/ CV Due
Draft of Letter of Application
Reading: Lanham Ch. 3:
Voice
Letter of Application Due
8
9
Reading: Lanham Ch. 4:
Skotison!
Peer Review: Abstracts
Lecture: Annotated Bibliography
and Citations
Draft of Abstract Due
Reading: Behar, “Believing in
Anthropology as Literature”
(elearning)
AAA Style Guide
10
Peer Review: Annotated
Bibliography
Abstracts Due
Draft of Annotated
Bibliography
11
Lecture: Outlining and the Rough
Draft
Annotated Bibliography
Due
12
Peer Review: Outlines and Rough
Draft
Draft of Outline and Rough
Draft Due
13
Lecture: Integrating Sources
Reading: TBD
14
Peer Review: Final Papers
Outline and Rough Draft Due
Reading: Lanham Ch. 8: Why
Bother?
15
No Class: Redefined Friday
Final Papers due by 5pm
2nd Rough Drafts Due
Final Papers Due by 5pm