The Catholic University of Malawi

ANT1101: Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Feb-June Semester 2023

Comfort Musongole
Phone: 0994338453
Room: CH
cmusongole@cunima.ac.mw

Objectives
This course is to introduce the discipline of Cultural Anthropology, its research methods, the
concept of culture, and general areas of study of human society. Basic anthropological terminology
is discussed and in the process, the student is presented with the wide extent of human cultural
diversity.

Course Requirements
Class participation: The class consists of a 2-hour lecture followed by a 1-hour tutorial. During the
lecture, 1 or 2 chapters of the textbook will be introduced. During the tutorial, an article and/or film
will be discussed in class. All students are expected to have read the assigned readings for that week
by then. And be prepared to participate in class discussions and exercises. Please, read critically and
make notes, making sure you understand the authors’ main points. Write down your reflections
during class discussion.

Assignments (20%): A group ethnographic assignment related to course readings and lectures will
be given during the semester. All necessary requirements have to be handed in on time! Give the
questions critical thought. Write down your thoughts, not a mere summary!

Exams (85%): The midterm (20%) and the final (60%) exams. Questions will be based on assigned
readings, topics covered in class, and videos.

Required Readings
Conrad Phillip Kottak, Cultural Anthropology: Appreciating Cultural Diversity, 16th Ed.
James Spradley & David McCurdy (eds.), Conformity and Conflict. 14th Ed.

1
Course Organization1
Weekly topics, readings a, and assignments.
Week 2 INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 1, pp. 1-13; Ch. 4, pp. 63-80
Tutorial Tutorial group set up
Week 3 CONCEPT OF CULTURE
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 2, pp. 20-38
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 1, “Ethnography and Culture” pp. 6-12
Week 4 RESEARCH METHODS
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 3, pp. 39-49
Assignment: Genealogy
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 2, “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari" pp. 13-19
Week 5 ETHNICITY & RACE
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 6, pp. 102-128
Ethnography: Fieldwork proposal
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 24, “Mixed Blood” pp. 217-225
Week 6 LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 5, pp. 81-101
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 8, “Conversation Style: Talking on the Job” pp. 61-68
Week 7 ECONOMY
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 7, pp. 129-150
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 16, “Malawi versus the World Bank” pp. 145-149
Week 8 KINSHIP
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 10, pp. 194-211
Tutorial 0Reading: C&C Ch. 20, “Uterine Families and Women’s Community” pp. 179-184
Week 9 MARRIAGE AND GENDER
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 9, pp. 174-193
Reading: C&C Ch. 19, “Polyandry: When Brothers Take a Wife” pp. 172-178
MID-TERM EXAMINATIONS
Week 11 POLITICAL SYSTEMS
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 8, pp. 151-173
Ethnography: Field notes Submission
Tutorial Reading C&C Ch. 26 “Life Without Chiefs” pp.238-245
Week 12 RELIGION
Class Reading: Kottak Ch. 12, 231-249
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 29, “Baseball Magic” pp. 266-274
Week 13 APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY
Class

Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 15, “Cocaine in Bolivia" pp. 136-144

Week 14 ETHNOGRAPHY REVIEW
Class Kamuzu Day Holiday
Tutorial Ethnography discussion
Week 15 DEVELOPMENT ANTHROPOLOGY
Class Reading: To be announced
Tutorial Reading: C&C Ch. 36, “Advice for Developers: Peace Corps Problems in Botswana” pp. 340-350
Week 16 Grace Week

1
This syllabus may be revised as the course goes on. Students are responsible for noting such changes and adhering to
them.
2