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ANT 210 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

FALL 2012 SYLLABUS

Professor:

Dr. Albert

Office:

Social & Behavioral Sciences Building (SBS), Room 102

Phone:

910.962.7078

Email:

albertm@uncw.edu

 

Office Hours:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45 AM and by appointment

Class Website:

http://people.uncw.edu/albertm/ant210fall2012

Class Meetings:

Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 AM-12:15 PM,  SBS 104

Required Textbook:

The Human Species:  An Introduction to Biological Anthropology , 8th edition, John Relethford, McGraw Hill Publishers, ISBN: 978-0-07-353101-4, MHID 0-07-353101-4

 

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION:  ANT 210 Physical Anthropology (3) Introduction to the study of human evolution.  Consideration given to the fossil evidence for humans and putative human ancestors, early development of culture, and dynamics of cultural and biological changes in recent and living human populations.  Note:  There are no prerequisites or corequisites for this course.

DETAILED COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This 3-credit hour lecture course offers students an understanding of the human species from a biological perspective (i.e., the subfield of anthropology known as physical or biological anthropology), across geologic time and geographic space.  Topics include:   the scientific method, natural selection, evolutionary theory, genetics, taxonomy, primate classification, primate biology and behavior, paleoanthropology (i.e., fossil dating methods and analysis), primate and hominin origins, human evolution, modern human biological diversity, population variation, biological adaptation, and the effects of culture and technology on our biology.  Students will learn scientific concepts through lecture, multimedia, and required reading and apply these concepts in class discussions (e.g., oral communication) and on examinations (e.g., written communication).

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Below is a synopsis of what you will be able to do/know—and the questions you will be able to answer—after successful completion of this course if you have read the material, attended class regularly, and actively participated:

1.        Discuss the significance of biological anthropology:

·         What do biological anthropologists research?

·         How and what does biological anthropology contribute to science and humanity?

2.       Understand the theory of evolution:

·         What is natural selection? 

·         What does “evolution” mean?

·         What is the difference between macroevolution and microevolution?

3.       Comprehend basic genetics:

·         Define and explain how DNA replication and protein synthesis occur.

·         Chromosomes and recombination; what mutation is and its evolutionary significance.

·         Mendelian traits, Mendel’s Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment .

·         Learn some examples of common Mendelian traits, formulate a hypothesis about the frequencies of those traits.  Determine if an individual has dominant or recessive alleles or both, calculate allele frequencies, calculate genotypic and phenotypic ratios; explain the meaningfulness of your findings.  

·         Population genetics and the forces of evolution:  mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow.

·         Calculate allele frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg Formula.  Analyze data and determine if any forces of evolutionary change are operating on the  alleles being investigated and provide possible explanations for the meaningfulness of your findings (i.e., is natural selection operating on the genetic trait in question?).  

4.       Describe what a species is and how speciation occurs:

·         What is adaptive radiation?

·         What are some misconceptions about evolution?

·         What are some methods and approaches to the classification of species?

5.       Discuss primate taxonomy, biology and behavior, and evolution: 

·         What are the basic primate characteristics?

·         The Order Primates:  How are primates classified?  What are the suborders, infraorders, superfamilies, subfamilies, families, tribes, genera, species.

·         Primate behavioral ecology:  What are reproductive strategies?  How do primates organize themselves socially?  How do you define displays, grooming, and affiliative behaviors?

·         Who were some the earliest primates and how did they diversify and speciate into the extant primates?

·         Analyze skeletal and behavioral data to classify primates:   explain what taxonomic levels you would choose and why.

6.       Describe the fossil evidence for the evolution of hominins, the origin of the genus Homo, characteristics of archaic humans and the rise of modern humanity:

·         Who were the early hominins and what were some of their skeletal features?

·         What are some key features of the genus Homo?  What are some examples of tool use and culture?

·         How did archaic humans live and how and when did modern humans evolve?

·         Evaluate fossil hominin skeletal and dental data and determine their genus and species classification.

7.       Discuss and understand various aspects of modern human biological variation: 

·         What is “race” and why is not a biological reality?

·         How and why do human populations vary genetically around the world?

·         How have agriculture and civilization affected humans biologically?

·         Analyze data on different environmental stressors affecting humans physiologically and explain how different human populations would likely adapt culturally and or biologically.

·         What impact does modern life have on our biology with regard to technology, infectious disease, and secular changes in human growth?

CLASS MEETINGS:  Lectures are accompanied by Power Point presentations and or videos and DVDs and are only available on the scheduled day in class—please do not ask me for copies of notes, presentations, or to borrow multimedia.  In most cases, missed material may be researched on the Internet through the recommended websites at the end of each chapter in your textbook.  Students are responsible for attending class regularly and taking notes.  It is strongly recommended that you get to know someone in class to study with or get notes from if you miss a class.

 

ASSESSMENT:  Each of five tests is worth 100 points and counts 20% toward the final course grade.

 

·         Grading Scale:

A

94-100

B

84-86

C

74-76

D

64-66

A-

90-93

B-

80-83

C-

70-73

D-

60-63

B+

87-89

C+

77-79

D+

67-69

F

59 and below

 

·         Tests:  Each of the five tests comprises multiple choice, matching, and short answer/essay questions and is worth 100 points (500 points total for five tests).  The fifth test is the final exam and it is non-cumulative.  Bonus questions worth a total of four points are included as extra credit on each test.  Tests are graded on a curve if the highest grade is below 94—the highest grade excluding the bonus sets the curve.  For example, if the highest grade earned without any bonus points is a 92, then two points will be added to everyone’s score.  Four additional points may be earned from the bonus questions for a total of six points added to a raw score in this example.

 

·         Make ups:  There are no make ups for missed tests.  In the event you have an emergency situation or a severe medical condition, please contact me.

 

·         Extra credit:  Bonus questions worth up to four points each are provided on each of five tests as an opportunity to earn extra credit—up to 20 points extra may be earned over the course of the semester.  Additionally, tests are graded on a curve, which is another opportunity for “extra” points to be earned.  Finally, attendance and participation may result in a boost to your overall course points if you have a borderline grade at the end of the semester (please see below).  There are no outside assignments for extra credit. 

·         Attendance and Participation:  Attendance is taken each day class meets.  There is no penalty for missing class—you will not lose any points.  Attendance counts as extra credit for participation in that you earn a grade for the number of times you attend class out of the total times class meets.  Attendance must be at least 90%, which translates to .5 points added to your total course points.   If at the end of the semester, you have a borderline grade, the .5 boost will get you to the next highest grade. 

For example, suppose when adding up the course points earned for each of your five test scores (i.e., multiply each test score by .20 since each test counts 20% toward your overall course grade, then add them up )your grade is a 93.3 or A-.  And, suppose your 90% minimum attendance earned you the .5 bonus—your grade then becomes a 93.8 (93.3 + .5), which can be rounded up to a 94 or A.  If your attendance was less than 90%, your grade is still what you earned—a 93.3 or A-.  Your grade is not lowered because there is no penalty for missing class.  You can only benefit by attending class.  Even if you do not have a borderline grade at the end of the semester, good attendance will help you learn and assimilate the course material so you can do well on the tests.

 

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:  Students are expected to respect and follow the guidelines of the Academic Honor Code (Section I, UNCW Code of Student Life).  Please be informed of this campus-wide policy:  http://uncw.edu/odos/honorcode  Academic dishonesty such as cheating or plagiarizing will not be tolerated and violations will result in disciplinary action (Section I, Code of Student Life).

 

SEAHAWK RESPECT COMPACT:  Framed and hanging on the wall in each of the classrooms, the Seahawk Respect Compact is a reminder of the importance of our environment in fostering effective learning.  Please become familiar with this campus-wide message:  http://www.uncw.edu/diversity/src.html

DISABILITY SERVICES:  If you have a learning disability, or believe you may have a learning disability, you are encouraged to contact Disability Services (910.962.3746) in De Paolo Hall. If alternate testing accommodations are desired, the appropriate paperwork must be completed so that arrangements can be made prior to testing. For more information on this topic, please refer to the UNCW Code of Student Life, POLICY B, Disability Accommodations. 

COURSE SCHEDULE:    The schedule of class meetings, lecture topics, laboratory sessions, required textbook readings, and test days are listed on the next page. 


 

ANT 210 Physical Anthropology:  Course Schedule

T=Tuesday, R=Thursday

Week

Dates

Topics

Readings due

1

R 8-23

Course Introduction:  Subfields of Anthropology, Biological (Physical) Anthropology, and the Scientific Method

Chapter 1, pp. 3-14

2

T 8-28

R 8-30

UNIT I:  NATURAL SELECTION AND GENETICS

The Rise of Evolutionary Theory, and Natural Selection

Molecular Genetics

 

Chapter 1, pp. 14-29

Chapter 2, pp. 32-40

3

T 9-4
R 9-6

Mendelian Genetics

Population Genetics

Chapter 2, pp. 40-57

Chapter 3, pp. 65-89

4

T 9-11
R 9-13

TEST 1

UNIT II:  SPECIATION, TAXONOMY, PRIMATE BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

Species and Species Change, Rates and Patterns of Evolution

Review Chapters 1-3

 

Chapter 4, pp. 91-109

5

T 9-18
R 9-20

Primate Characteristics and Taxonomy

Primate Diversity

Chapter 5, pp. 113-143

Chapter 6, pp. 145-165

6

T 9-25
R 9-27

Primate Behavior and The Human Species

TEST 2

Chapter 7, pp. 177-200

Review Chapters 4-7

7

T 10-2

 

R 10-4

UNIT III:  PALEOANTHROPOLOGY—PRIMATE ORIGINS, ANTHROPOIDS, HOMINOIDS, AND HOMININS

Paleoanthropology

Early Primates

 

 

Chapter 8, pp. 203-225

Chapter 9, pp. 227-245

8

T 10-9
R 10-11

FALL BREAK:  CLASS DOES NOT MEET

Human Beginnings


Chapter 10, pp. 247-281

9

T 10-16
R 10-18

The First Hominins

Hominins Evolving

 

 

10

T 10-23

R 10-25

TEST 3

UNIT IV:  HUMAN ORIGINS

The Genus Homo:  Homo habilis, Homo erectus

Review Chapters 8-10

 

Chapter 11, pp. 283-303

11

T 10-30

R 11-1

Archaic Humans:  Homo heidelbergensis, Homo(sapiens) neandertalensis

Neandertals

Chapter 12, pp. 305-327

12

T 11-6

R 11-8

The Emergence of Anatomically Modern Humans
Modern Humans

Chapter 13, pp. 329-354

13

T 11-13
R 11-15

TEST 4

UNIT V:  HUMAN BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY—VARIATION, ADAPTATION, AND MODERN LIFE

Human Biological Variation:  “Race”, Population Affinity, Genetics

Review Chapters 11-13

 

 

Chapter 14, pp. 357-379

14

T 11-20

R 11-22

Biological Changes in Modern Human Populations

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY:  CLASS DOES NOT MEET

Chapter 15, pp. 381-405

 

15

T 11-27

 

R 11-29

Human Biological Adaptation:  Coping with Thermal, Altitude, Nutritional, and Pathogen Stresses

Human Biological Adaptation (continued)

Chapter 16, pp. 407-429

16

T 12-4

R 12-6

Biological Effects of Technology and Culture in Modern Life (Last day of class)

READING DAY

Chapter 17, pp. 431-458

Review Chapters 14-17

FINAL EXAM (TEST 5, non-cumulative):  Tuesday, December 11, 11:30 AM-2:30 PM. 
This is the only day/time you may take this test.