ANTH 270: INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY Spring Quarter 2017 4 credit hours (satisfies an SC requirement) Course Time & Location (Lecture): Monday & Wednesday 3:30-­‐4:50 pm, 101 Living-­‐Learning Center South (LLCS) Instructor: Dr. Nelson Ting Office Hours: Monday 1:00-­‐3:00 pm & by appointment (in 302B Condon Hall) Office Phone: 346-­‐5509 E-­‐mail: [email protected] Graduate Teaching Fellow (GTF): Mr. Noah Simons Office Hours: Wednesday 1:00-­‐3:00 pm Office: 366D Condon Hall E-­‐mail: [email protected] COURSE DESCRIPTION Examines the biological aspects of the human species from comparative, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. Explores theoretical and methodological issues in biological anthropology. COURSE CONTENT This course provides a comprehensive introduction to biological (or physical) anthropology, in which we will explore the evolution of the human species and the nature of human variation. Principles of evolutionary theory and genetics will first be presented to provide a framework for the study of human evolutionary biology. Information about our closest relatives, the non-­‐human primates, will then be covered in order to provide a comparative framework from which to understand our own species. The fossil evidence for human evolution will then be considered to demonstrate some of the ways in which humans have changed through time, particularly since the divergence from our very closest African ape relatives. Finally, the influence of environmental stressors (e.g., climate, nutrition, and disease) on modern human biological variation will be discussed. The course is designed to be both an introduction to biological anthropology for anthropology majors and an introduction to the field for non-­‐majors. As one of the four subfields of anthropology (along with archaeology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology), biological anthropology is a critical component in the education of all students in the discipline. After successfully completing this course, students will be prepared to enter upper-­‐
level courses in biological anthropology. LEARNING OBJECTIVES After successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the following key issues in biological anthropology: • The basic principles of evolutionary biology and human genetics • Differences and similarities between humans and non-­‐human primates, and between primates and other mammals • The major trends in hominin evolution, including the fossil and molecular evidence for the origin of modern humans • The influence of genetic, ecological, and sociocultural factors on biological variation in contemporary human populations COURSE FORMAT The course consists of lectures and required laboratory sections. The required laboratory sections are a critical part of the course and are designed to develop practical skills of observing, measuring, and interpreting data collected by biological anthropologists. CANVAS A Canvas site will be maintained for this class, which will be your main source for course information, documents, grades, and announcements. Make sure that you regularly check your Canvas-­‐linked e-­‐mail account. ACCOMMODATIONS Appropriate accommodations will be provided for students with documented disabilities. Please make arrangements to meet with me or your GTF to discuss these accommodations. REQUIRED READINGS • Jurmain R, Kilgore L, Trevathan W, Ciochon RL, Bartelink E, 2017. Introduction to Physical Anthropology (15th edition), Wadsworth Publishing. (Available at the Duckstore in various formats) EXPECTATIONS AND GRADING Regular attendance at lectures and laboratory sections, as well as participation in laboratory activities, is required. Course readings are required and are essential to passing exams, completing lab assignments, and participating in lab section activities. Your grade in the course will reflect performance on: a quiz; in-­‐class midterm and final exams; discussion section attendance; a lab practical; and a short write-­‐up of 6 laboratory exercises. Quiz (Week 3 Lab) 10% Midterm Exam (Wednesday, 5/3) 25% Final Exam (2:45 pm, Monday, 6/12) 30% Lab Practical (Week 9 Lab) 10% 6 Lab Write-­‐Ups 25% The midterm and final exams will cover lectures, readings, videos, and lab section materials. Exams will include multiple choice, matching, and short answer (2-­‐3 sentences) sections. The final exam will emphasize material from the second half of the course. Exams and assignments must be taken/turned in at the scheduled time—under no circumstances will make-­‐up exams or assignment extensions be given without a documented excuse (e.g., signed note from your doctor). If you will not be able to take an exam or turn in an assignment, you must notify me in advance (preferably by e-­‐mail). Material on the exams may be different than that presented in the textbook, and may only be covered during class lecture and lab sections. Therefore, you are advised to arrange to obtain course notes if you miss a class. If you have questions after you have gone over the notes, please contact your GTF or me. Grades will be assigned as follows: A = 90-­‐100%, B = 80-­‐89%, C = 70-­‐79%, D = 60-­‐69%, F < 60% (with minus and plus grades assigned at appropriate cutoffs). The grading system used in this course is as follows: A – Outstanding performance relative to that required to meet course requirements; demonstrates a mastery of course content at the highest level. B – Performance that is significantly above that required to meet course requirements; demonstrates a mastery of course content at a high level. C – Performance that meets the course requirements in every respect; demonstrates an adequate understanding of course content. D – Performance that is at the minimal level necessary to pass the course but does not fully meet the course requirements; demonstrates a marginal understanding of course content. F – Performance in the course, for whatever reason, is unacceptable and does not meet the course requirements; demonstrates an inadequate understanding of the course content. CLASS SCHEDULE Week Dates Topics Required Reading 1 4/3 Course Overview & Introduction to Anthropology, Science and the Scientific Method Evolution -­‐ History of an Idea Lab: Introduction to the Scientific Method & Evolutionary Biology (Write-­‐up of this lab is due by the end of Week 2 lab) Chapter 1 Chapter 2 4/5 2 4/10 4/12 Genetics and Inheritance The Modern Evolutionary Synthesis Lab: Genetics & Rules of Inheritance (Write-­‐up of this lab is due by the end of Week 3 lab) 3 4/17 Systematics, Evolution, and Society Introduction to the Primates QUIZ: COVERS EVERYTHING FROM 4/3 through 4/17 4/19 4/20 4 5 4/24 4/26 5/1 5/3 Primate Taxonomy and Classification Primate Behavioral Ecology
Lab: Primate Adaptation and Classification (Write-­‐up of this lab is due by end of lab section) Video: Life in the Trees Midterm Exam No Lab – Midterm week Chapter 3 Chapter 4 (pg. 81-­‐98) Chapter 4 (pg. 98-­‐110) Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Week Dates 6 5/8 5/10 7 5/15 5/17 8 5/22 5/24 9 10 5/29 5/31 6/5 6/7 11 6/12 Topics Paleoanthropology & The Fossil Record What Makes Us Human?; Bipedalism—Its Evolution & Anatomical Changes; Why did Bipedalism Evolve? Lab: Video: Becoming Human—Part 1 (First Steps) Homework Assignment: Introduction to the Human Skeleton (Due by end of your Week 7 lab) The Earliest Hominins; Australopithecus & Paranthropus Origin & Evolution of the Genus Homo Lab: Ape/Human Differences & Early Hominins (Lab assignment is due by the end of your Week 8 lab) Required Reading Chpt 8 (optional) Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 The Neandertals Origin of Modern Humans; The Human Revolution; Upper Paleolithic Culture; Lab: Homo, Neandertals, & Modern Humans (Write-­‐up of this lab is due by the end of Week 9 lab) Chapter 12 Chapter 13 No Class – Memorial Day Holiday Human migrations Lab: LAB PRACTICAL ON HUMAN SKELETON / FOSSIL RECORD Chapter 13 Race, and Ancestry Human Adaptation, The Human Footprint Lab: Contemporary Human Variation Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 17 Final Exam (Monday, 2:45 – 4:45 pm in LLCS 101) The final exam will emphasize material from the second half of the course (Weeks 6-­‐10).