Course Description

ANTH 2301 Introduction To Physical Anthropology - Natural Science Core

Questions addressed in an introduction and survey of physical (biological) anthropology. "What are Humans?"

ANTH 2301 provides a broad, scientific understanding of "humans" and their bio-cultural adaptation. Anthropology emphasizes the emergence of humans on Planet Earth as a combination and interaction of biological and cultural trends. This holistic perspective is a basic and powerful framework for analysis and evaluation of contemporary issues including human variation, health, disease and demographic trends. The first part of the course focuses on evolution and diversity in human populations. Basic background on genetics and micro-evolutionary processes is provided in case studies of human adaptation and biological and cultural variability in populations across the Globe. The second part of the course focuses on the big-picture or macro-evolutionary perspective: the place of humans in Nature. This includes study of the emergence of mammals and primates in the fossil record, as well as study of present day primate populations, their taxonomy, biology and behavior. The third part of the course deals with the hominid evolution, major discontinuities and the continuing story of human adaptation, the most dramatic of which has taken place in the last 10,000 years after the development of agriculture. This course transfers as 3 hours of credit to most other colleges and universities.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites.

Course Goals (includes competencies, incorporation of SCANS, etc.)

The objective of this course in physical anthropology is to prepare students to:

• Have basic skills and knowledge of the discipline of physical anthropology and its holistic, comparative and scientific approach to human culture and adaptation.
• Be able to compare the development and methodology of physical anthropology with other ways of studying the human condition.
• Be able to apply the basic terms and concepts of genetics and evolutionary theory in explaining primate and human variation.
• Be able to identify and describe major trends and discontinuities in hominid evolution and human cultural development.
• Be able to describe the relationship of theory, observation, and the evaluation of evidence to support or refute competing hypotheses and explanatory models used in science and its production of knowledge.
• Be able to evaluate contemporary human adaptation and behavior as a dynamic and complex process with multiple dimensions including biology and culture.
• Have experience and skills in Internet and library research.
• Have expanded intellectual competencies including reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and computer literacy as specified in the HCCS Core Curriculum guidelines.

CORE COMPETENCIES
Reading --Text, Supplemental Reading
Writing -- Written Exercises & Projects/Exercises
Listening - Lectures, Viewing videos, Class Exercises and Discussions
Critical Thinking -- Written project, Class exercises, Exams
Computer Literacy -- Internet Research, Completing Chapter Quizzes at Publisher Website.
Speaking -- Class Discussions, Oral presentations of Completed Projects

Instructor Information

This course will be taught by a qualified anthropology instructor. Please read the specific course syllabus for the instructor information.

Textbook Information

The REQUIRED TEXT for this course is:
The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology, 7th edition by John H. Relethford, Mayfield 2008

Text Website:
http://www.mayfieldpub.com/relethford/student_resources/index.htm

Additional and required readings will be identified by individual instructors.

Example of articles used:

John A. Moore "Science as a Way of Knowing".
Katherine Dettwyler "Bad Breath, Gangrene, and God's Angels".
Jared Diamond "Founding Fathers & Mothers".
Robert S. Root-Bernstein "Darwin's Rib".
Jonathan Marks "Black, White, Other".
Barry Bogin "The Tall and the Short of It".
Barbara Smuts "What Are Friends For?".
Matt Cartmill "The Gift of Gab".
Stephen Jay Gould "Sex, Drugs, Disasters and the Extinction of Dinosaurs".
Anne Fausto-Sterling "The Five Sexes: Why Male and Female Are Not Enough".

Lab Requirements (if any)

No lab requirements

Students with Disabilities

Students who are in need of special accommodations related to a condition or disability should contact ADA Counselor at each college to obtain the proper documentation. Special accommodations will be provided to those students who show proper documentation.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by the HCCS policy and the rules of this class. A student found guilty of the first offense will receive a grade of "F" for that particular assignment. For the second offense, the student will receive a grade of "F" for the course.

Attendance and Withdrawal Policies

Class attendance is required for the successful completion of the course. Following HCCS policy, a student with unexplained absences in excess of 6 class hours may be dropped from a class.

If you wish to withdraw, it is recommended that you submit the withdrawal form in the registration office,. If you have ceased attending classes, some instructors may drop you from the class roll at the end of the semester, and you will receive a grade of W, even if you have not filed the official withdrawal form. However, other instructors may give a grade of F instead. Please read the syllabus for your class carefully about the attendance and withdrawal policies.

If you are on the installment plan, please remember to make payments according to schedule. Otherwise, you will be dropped from the class roll.

Course Requirements and Grading Policy

Different instructors may use different projects, assignments, and activities in their classes. Instructors are encouraged to use a variety of methods to assess students' learning. There may be objective tests and other course assignments. The course assignments may include reading assignments, writing assignments, and various activities (attending guest lectures, internet assignments, class presentation, group projects, etc.) that are designed to develop students' critical thinking and problem solving skills. Please consult your instructor's course syllabus.

Instructors may use a variety of assessment methods in grading, including tests with objective (multiple-choice, true-false, filling-in-blanks, etc.) and written questions, projects, and group discussion of assigned articles, etc. A writing assignment is required in each anthropology class. The final exam is comprehensive..

The final course grade will be calculated according to the following formula %age weight given to regular tests, the final exam, lab assignments, and any other component of the program indicated by the individual instructor.

The final score resulting from the sum of the above components will be converted into letter grades according to the following scale.

A = 90 and up B = 80 - 89 C = 70 -79 D = 60 -69 F = 59 and below

Make-up policy

Different instructors may have different make-up policies.

Some instructors may allow make-up exams. Other instructors may not allow make-up tests, but give students the option to drop one test grade.

Course Content

The final exam is comprehensive.

Course Calendar with Due Dates for Assignments and Testing

Please consult with your instructor's course syllabus concerning course calendar.

Other Student Information

Anthropology Clubs and Activities are sponsored at some of the individual colleges. Check with your instructor for regular updates.

Useful Internet Links:

American Anthropology Association - "What is Anthropology?"
http://www.aaanet.org/anthbroc.htm

Palomar University Anthropology Program - "What is Anthropology?" (explore tutorials at this site.)
http://www.palomar.edu/anthropology/#What%20is%20Anthropology

Anthropology in the News - Texas A & M University
http://anthropology.tamu.edu/news.htm

AAA Code of Ethics
http://www.aaanet.org/committees/ethics/ethcode.htm

Native American Links
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/