Anthropology 270 Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Professor: Dr. Frances White

Email: fwhite@oregon.uoregon.edu

Office: Condon Hall, Room 352

Telephone: Office: 346-5278

Department Office: 346-5102

Course Overview: This course examines the biological aspects of the human species from comparative and evolutionary perspectives. It is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to biological, or physical, anthropology. In brief, biological anthropology is the study of human biology within the framework of evolution. As one of the four sub-disciplines of anthropology, biological anthropology is a critical component in the education of all students in anthropology. In this course, we will investigate human biology through the study of genetics, inheritance, population biology, and the principles of evolution. Since the comparative method is central to biological anthropology and other sciences, we will review the evolution, ecology, and behavior of the living non-human primates. We will also evaluate the evolution of human adaptability and investigate the various ways in which the human species has adapted -- and is continuing to adapt -- to habitats around the world. Finally, we shall examine the fossil record of the evolution of the human lineage, starting in the Miocene and concluding with the emergence of anatomically modern human beings. After participating in this course, students will have an appreciation of key theoretical and methodological issues in this anthropological sub-discipline, and will be prepared to enter upper-level courses in biological anthropology.

Specific Goals of the Course:

· To understand principles of evolution and genetics

· To learn how and why modern humans exhibit population variation

· To see how Homo sapiens fits in the Class Mammalia

· To explore how humans are similar to, and different from, other primate species

· To investigate the evolution of humans through fossil and molecular evidence

· To be able to critically examine key methodological and theoretical issues in the origin of anatomically modern Homo sapiens

· To understand how humans adapt to their environments

· To examine human growth, development, and disease

Course Perspective: This course is a required, core course for all undergraduate majors in anthropology and comprises both lecture and laboratory components. The laboratory sections are a critical part of the course and are designed to develop the important practical skills of observing, measuring, recording, and interpreting bioanthropological data.

Required Texts:

(1) John Relethford. The Human Species: an introduction to Biological Anthropology, fifth edition

(2) Lab manual

Videos: We will watch a set of videos as an integral part of this class. You will be expected to take notes and retain information from videos as much as from lectures. Exam questions will cover material presented in videos. Where possible, copies of videos will be put on reserve for you to review.

Class Blackboard Site: Important information will be posted on the Blackboard site. Please check the site regularly during the term to stay in touch with any changes. To keep the amount of paper we have to use as low as possible, we will avoid giving out handouts an instead post material shown as overheads, etc., on the class site for you to review. The site will also include class schedule and syllabus, reading assignments, and whenever possible lecture outlines as well as any updates or changes made during the term. It will also include additional resources such as web sites and additional readings for those interested. Results from exams will be posted on the Blackboard site as soon as they become available.

Grading: Your grade will be based on: 2 Lecture Exams; Laboratory Attendance, Laboratory Exercises and assignments and 1 Final Exam.

EXAMS. During this semester there will be a total of two in-class examinations and one cumulative Final. The two in-class Midterm exams will take place during regularly scheduled class times and will be based on assigned reading, lecture materials, and videos shown in lectures. These 2 Midterms exams will not be cumulative. The first Midterm accounts for a small percentage of the grade to give you the opportunity to learn my question style. The Final will be cumulative and will thus cover material presented throughout the quarter. The exams will be multiple-choice questions. Laboratory exercises can include quizzes, short answer, and fill in the blanks questions.

LABORATORY SECTION AND QUIZZES. In addition to meeting two times a week for Lecture, you are required to meet once a week in a Laboratory Section. Participation and attendance is required in Discussion Sections. These sections serve several functions:

(1) In these laboratory sections you will be introduced to more ‘hands-on’ aspects of biological anthropology. For example, it is in your discussion section that you will actually observe the fossils that we talk about in lecture.

(2) These sections will also be the time when you can ask questions about the readings and lecture and review key concepts introduced in Lecture.

(3) Finally, it is in your Laboratory section that you will complete laboratory exercises that will contribute a large part to your final grade.

Your Final Class Grade will be calculated using the following percentages:

Lecture Midterm Exam 1: 10% of Final Grade

Lecture Midterm Exam 2: 25% of Final Grade

Laboratory Exercises / Quizzes: 25% of Final Grade

Laboratory Participation/Attendance: 5% of Final Grade

Final Exam: 35% of Final Grade

COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE:

Week		Subjects covered	Readings from THE HUMAN SPECIES
Week 1	Lecture 1	Introduction to class What is Anthropology? Science and Evolution	Chapter 1
	Lecture 2	Human Genetics	Chapter 2
Week 2	Lecture 3	Evolutionary Forces	Chapter 3
	Lecture 4	The Origin and Evolution of Species	Chapter 4
Week 3	Lecture 5	Midterm 1
	Lecture 6	Video 1: Ape Man; The Human Puzzle
Week 4	Lecture 7	Human Biological Variation	Chapter 5, 6
	Lecture 8	Human Adaptation	Chapter 7
Week 5	Lecture 9	Primates in Nature	Chapter 8
	Lecture 10	Biology and Behavior of Primates	Chapter 9
Week 6	Lecture 11	Video: Ape Man; Giant Strides
	Lecture 12	The Human Species	Chapter 10
Week 7	Lecture 13	Midterm 2
	Lecture 14	Primate Origins and Evolution	Chapter 11
Week 8	Lecture 15	Video: Ape Man; All in the Mind
	Lecture 16	Hominid Origins	Chapter 12
Week 9	Lecture 17	Genus Homo	Chapter 13
	Lecture 18	Modern Humans	Chapter 14
Week 10	Lecture 19	Video: Ape Man; Science and Fiction
	Lecture 20	Human Biology and Culture Change Course evaluations	Chapter 15