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Sometimes observing human behavior can give you all the information you need, more even than if you asked them yourself. (Photo by Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman)

ANTH Dept | Brooklyn College Library

ANTH 3135 American Urban Experience: Anthropological Perspectives (Paterline): Syllabus

The American Urban Experience: Anthropological Perspectives

Course Description

This course engages students in the diversity of American urban life and introduces various modes of analyzing socio-cultural scenes, communities, and urban institutions. In the first part of the course, we will lay the foundations for understanding urban processes and communities. We will examine the racial and ethnic diversity in cities and the ways people understand and cope with being in an environment filled with "strangers". We will develop an understanding of urban political economy and the effects of inequality and economic strain on urban life. In the second part of the course, we will focus on the effects of globalization, post-industrial decline, and post-modernism on cities. In this section, we will focus on the production and consumption of urban spaces. We will look at the ways American cities have developed and changed as well as the competing views and political contestations behind these transformations.

Flexible Core—US Experience in its Diversity Learning Outcomes:

  • Gather, interpret, and assess information from a variety of sources and points of view.
  • Evaluate evidence and arguments critically and analytically.
  • Produce well-reasoned written and oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions.
  • Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of anthropology to exploring the U.S. experience in its diversity.
  • Evaluate how indigenous populations, slavery, or immigration have shaped the development of the United States.
  • Analyze and discuss common institutions or patterns of life in contemporary U.S. society and how they influence, or are influenced by, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, belief, or other forms of social differentiation.

Discipline Specific Learning Outcomes:

  • Evaluate the use of an ethnographic approach to understand contemporary urban issues.
  • Analyze the ways urban areas have been shaped by, and shape, different forms of inequality.
  • Identify how larger political, economic, and social forces impact the lives of urban residents.
  • Analyze and discuss the processes of decision making and democracy in urban areas.

Basis for Evaluation

Assignment: Discussion Board

Students will have to complete five discussion board assignments in which they will be asked to explore and react to that week’s material. Student must write a post of their own and reply to one other student’s post. A general guide on writing posts and replies as well as the grading rubric is in the Course Information folder on Blackboard. To complete a discussion board assignment, go to the Discussion Board area, click on the title of the forum, then create a new thread.

  • Number: 5 (5 points each)
  • Total points: 25

Assignment: Quizzes

Students will have to complete 4 online quizzes in which they will be asked to answer 4-5 questions about the material from that week. The quizzes will be found in the Assignments area on Blackboard. Students will have to submit their answers in this area.

NOTE: There will be one extra weekly assignment. I will drop the lowest grade of the weekly assignments (discussion board or quiz) at the end of the semester.

  • Number: 4 (5 points each)
  • Total points: 20

Assignment: Midterm exam

The midterm exam will be a combination of short answer or essay questions. The questions will test student’s understanding of anthropological concepts and their ability to produce a well-reasoned argument using course material as evidence. Directions and questions will be given five days before the answers are due in the Exam folder in the Assignments area.

  • Total points: 25

Assignment: Project

Students will be required to conduct a research project on changes in a neighborhood of their choosing. The project will consist of three parts:  a proposal briefly describing the neighborhood and change to be studied, a neighborhood assessment that uses outside research and statistics to contextualize the neighborhood, and a final project that incorporates course themes and material into a discussion of neighborhood change. More specific directions for each part will be given in the Changes in a Neighborhood folder in the Assignments area.

NOTE: Students are highly encouraged to complete assignments on time. Late assignments will be accepted with a reduction of %5 of the grade for every 24 hours until grade reaches half credit. Email instructor as soon as possible if there is a problem completing the assignment.

  • Number: Part A (5 points), Part B (5 points), Part C (20 points)
  • Total points: 30

Grade Scale

  • A 93-100
  • A- 90-92
  • B+ 87-89
  • B 83-86
  • B- 80-82
  • C+ 77-79
  • C 73-76
  • C- 70-72
  • D 60-69
  • F Below 60

Online Etiquette and Anti-harassment

Brooklyn College strictly prohibits the use of college online resources or facilities, including Blackboard, for the purpose of harassment of any individual or for the posting of any material that is scandalous, libelous, offensive, or otherwise against the University’s policies.  Please see: Netiquette for Remote Instruction.

Reporting Discrimination

All reports of sexual misconduct or discrimination should be made to Ivana Bologna, Title IX Coordinator (718.951.5000, ext. 3689), and may also be made to Public Safety (719.951.5511), the New York City Police Department (911 or a local NYPD precinct), or Michelle Vargas, Assistant Director of Judicial Affairs, Division of Student Affairs (718.951.5352) as appropriate.

For Students with Immigration Issues

As an educator, I support the rights of undocumented students to an education. If you have any concerns in that regard, feel free to discuss them with me, and I will respect your wishes concerning confidentiality. For resources and support, please check-out Brooklyn College’s Immigrant Student Support Office, website: Immigrant Student Success Office email: isso@brooklyn.cuny.edu Instagram: @issobc or visit: Resources for Immigrant Students at CUNY (URL: https://libguides.brooklyn.cuny.edu/DACA)

Brooklyn College Counseling Services

Student Support Services

CUNY Policies

Brooklyn College's Diverse Center for Student Disability Services group smiling.
 

The Brooklyn College Center for Student Disability Services external link. is back to working in-person on campus, though you can still reach out via email and phone. Please email them at testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu for assistance.

Location: 138 Roosevelt Hall
Phone: 718.951.5538
FAX: 718.951.4442
Department Office Hours:

  • Monday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Note: Office hours during summer and winter intersession breaks varies.

Students should inform the professor if they have a disability or any other situation that may require Section 504/ADA accommodations.  The faculty and staff will attempt to work out whatever arrangements are necessary.

Please provide your professor with your course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with your professor as soon as possible to ensure accommodations are met in a timely fashion.

In order to receive academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or who suspect that they might have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell or the Assistant Director, Josephine Patterson or their general email testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) Mission:
It is the mission of the Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to all campus facilities, curricula, and activities. The program’s objective focuses on providing students with reasonable disability-related accommodations and the opportunity to maximize their academic success at Brooklyn College. The goal is to ensure an inclusive environment while maintaining and enhancing the college’s academic excellence by providing students with disabilities the opportunity to achieve their highest possible academic potential.

Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of another person’s work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College Student Handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards.

Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the “…test, examination, term paper or other assignment on which cheating occurred” (Faculty Council, May 18, 1954).

In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection (Adopted by Policy Council, May 8, 1991).

NOTE: If you have a question about how to cite correctly ask your teacher BEFORE submitting your work.

  • The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism.
  • Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both.
  • View complete text of CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation.
  • If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.
  • Please read the section entitled “Academic Regulations and Procedures” in the Brooklyn College Undergraduate Bulletin or Graduate Bulletin for a complete listing of academic regulations of the College.

Bereavement Policy:

  • Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice). Contact Email: studentaffairs@brooklyn.cuny.edu
  • Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.
  •  As an option, and in consultation with the Division of Student Affairs, students may take the Leave of Absence Bereavement after the Standard Bereavement.
  • Reference to the Student Bereavement Policies will be noted on course syllabi.
  • Students requesting a religious accommodation should contact the Division of Student Affairs as well. The chief student affairs officer, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation.

Bereavement Procedure:

  • Upon approval from the Division of Student Affairs, the student is allowed one week, commencing from the day of notification to the Division of Student Affairs, of excused absence.
  • Should the student feel that he/she needs additional days, these should be discussed with individual course instructors and/or the Division of Student Affairs.
  • The Division of Student Affairs will contact the student’s faculty and academic staff of the student’s courses.
  • Faculty and academic staff will be advised that extensions must be granted to the student for the period of one week of excused absence.
  • Further extensions may be negotiated with the student when he or she returns to campus.
  • Students are encouraged to discuss options with their instructors.

Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure:

  • Students may be allowed to withdraw from the semester in which the death occurs.
  • The Bereavement Leave of Absence is for one semester only.
  • Students who have opted to take the Bereavement Leave of Absence and have already attended classes for the semester of the leave will be allowed to re-enter the following semester without having to reapply to the college.
  • Students who wish to take the leave of absence prior to the beginning of the semester will be required to reapply for the following semester.
  • Students who are in good academic standing will be given the opportunity to successfully complete the credits for the semester in which they return.
  • Students will consult with the Division of Student Affairs, on a case-by-case basis, as to whether they should withdraw from their courses during this leave of absence or to request incompletes from the faculty member.
  •  Given that there may be a potential impact on financial aid, students who receive financial aid and who take the Bereavement Leave of Absence, upon arrangement with the Division of Student Affairs, will meet with a financial aid adviser prior to taking this option.
  • The New York State Education Law provides that no student shall be expelled or refused admission to an institution of higher education because he or she is unable to attend classes or participate in examinations or study or work requirements on any particular day or days because of religious beliefs.
  • Students who are unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of religious beliefs will be excused from any examination or study or work requirements.
  • Faculty must make good-faith efforts to provide students absent from class because of religious beliefs equivalent opportunities to make up the work missed; no additional fees may be charged for this consideration.
  • If classes, examinations, or study or work requirements occur on Friday after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, or study or work requirements will be made available on other days, where possible and practical.
  • The faculty and the administration will not allow any adverse or prejudicial effects to accrue to students availing themselves of this regulation.
  • If students have complaints about the application of this policy, they are entitled to bring action or a proceeding for enforcement of their rights in the Supreme Court of Kings County

Creative Commons LicenseUnless otherwise noted, this OER ANTH 3135 American Urban Experience: Anthropological Perspectives was created and curated by Professor Christa Paterline for Brooklyn College Fall 2021 and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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