ANTHROPOLOGY- Northwest College HCC ANTH 2301 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY CRN53387 - Fall 2011 3-Credit Lecture Second Start 9/24/2011-12/18/2011 48 hours /12 weeks Monday / Wednesday 9:00-11:00 a.m. Spring Branch Campus Rm.702 Instructor Ann Bragdon, Ph. D. Anthropology/ Sociology Faculty - Northwest College Phone Voicemail: (713)718-5642 Email: ann.bragdon@hccs.edu Campus address Spring Branch Campus, Northwest College - HCC 1010West Sam Houston Parkway North Houston, Texas 77043 Learning Web for Anthropology <http://learning.nwc.hccs.edu/courses/anth/> Course Description ANTH2301 Physical Anthropology provides an overview of human origins and bio-cultural adaptations. Also introduces methods and theory in the excavation and interpretation of material remains of past cultures. (ACGM) ANTH2301 Physical Anthropology explores the relationship between culture and biology through the methods, theory and research of biological anthropology. Students learn about basic mechanisms of genetic change in populations and the relationships between humans and the other primates. The appearance of humans and their bipedal ancestors approximately six million years ago and their culture history through the Paleolithic age are examined in detail. Students learn about biological variation and adaptation in human populations, responses to the environment, race, and other issues and their applications. Core Curriculum Course. (HCC Course Catalog) Prerequisites a) Reading: Placement in co-requisite GUST 0342; b) Writing: Placement into ENGL 0310/0349 Transfer Information Physical Anthropology (ANTH2301) is a fully accredited university course with transferable credit. As an elective in the Houston Community College academic Degree Core, it transfers as a Natural Science Course. While there is no specific course prerequisite, this course is a sophomore (2000) level course and assumes commensurate reading and writing skills. Basic biology and/or other science background is helpful in successful performance in this course. Course Goal To provide students with reliable knowledge about human cultural and biological evolution and variation with an anthropological approach and understanding of how that knowledge was gained. Student Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: 1. Compare the scientific processes utilized in the 4 major subfields of anthropology. 2. Describe biological variation and the process of speciation with reference to the mechanisms of evolution as they relate to Primates and Anatomically Modern Humans. 3. Identify the major biological and cultural discontinuities of the Cenozoic Era related to primate evolution, human origins and cultural complexity. 4. Evaluate biological race theory and identify its consequences in society and its inconsistencies as explanation for human variation. 5. Illustrate how anthropological methods and theory can be applied to everyday life. 1
Learning objectives At the conclusion of this introduction to Physical Anthropology, students will: - Have basic skills and knowledge of the discipline of physical anthropology and its holistic, comparative and scientific approach to human biology, culture and adaptation. - Be able to apply basic terms and concepts of genetics and evolutionary theory in explaining primate and human variation. - 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 identify and describe major trends and discontinuities in hominin evolution and human cultural development. - Be able to evaluate contemporary human adaptation and behavior as a dynamic and complex process with multiple dimensions including biology and culture. - Be a knowledgeable and critical consumer of science news reported in popular media and science and other texts and journals. - Have experience and skills in use of the computer and Internet and library research. - Have expanded your intellectual competencies including reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and computer literacy. Houston Community College Mission Statement The Houston Community College is an open-admission, public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificates, academic preparation, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC will provide affordable and accessible education, university transfer and general education, workforce development, customized training, continuing education, adult literacy and developmental programs, personal enrichment opportunities, comprehensive student support services, and an environment conducive to learning. HCC Core Curriculum All students seeking an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree are required to complete the core curriculum or a state-approved field of study curriculum. (See guidelines, HCC 2011 College Catalogue.) Evaluation for CORE Competencies Reading - Text, research for assignments, quizzes, exams. Writing - Essays on exams, weekly discussion responses, writing assignments. Listening - Film assignment; lecture on the Internet, and observation at zoo. Critical Thinking - Quizzes, exams, written assignments, discussions, problem-solving in exams/ assignments, science news updates. Computer Literacy - Internet competence in performing essential tasks of course. Speaking - In class assignment. Required Textbook The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology, 8/e 2010 John H. Relethford ISBN:978-0-07-353101-4 <www.mhhe.com/relethford8> Be sure you have the 8 th edition! Earlier editions are not updated/ chapter sequence differs. Bookstore Information Textbooks may be purchased at any HCC bookstore including Spring Branch/ Katy / Stafford / West Loop / Central campuses. Call ahead to ensure that your text is in stock. Textbook rentals are an alternative to purchase inquire at the bookstore. 2
Instructional Methods This lecture course meets 2 times weekly. Preparation and active participation in class are essential to success. Class meetings include a combination of lectures, class exercises, discussion, viewing and analysis of films. Class participation and work is evaluated for credit. * Web-Enhanced Course This class is web-enhanced meaning there is a course website in EagleOnline. You are required to check the web site regularly the course syllabus, notices and handouts and assignments, etc. There is also email communication for students and instructor. Access the course website at https://hccs1.mrooms3.net/login/index.php. Sign in with your EagleOnline login user ID. Your HCC User ID is sometimes referred to as the W number. All HCC students have a unique User ID. The default student password is distance. Students will be prompted to change their password after their first login. The course specific site is: ANTH 2301 Cultural Anthropology CRN55249. Visit the Distance Education Technical Support website if you need additional assistance with your login. Evaluation & Grades Activities Workbook - 34 pts. Attendance, graded class exercises (Internet and film), article and 4 unit assignments, class discussion. Students must have a 2 or 3-hole binder to maintain all handouts, assignments and notes from lecture, reading and film with your individualized notes about each topic. The notebook is the personal and organized basis for student study and learning. Handouts are provided at the beginning of each unit with due dates for specific assignments. Exams - 66 pts. (4 unit exams & final exam). Objective questions (multiple choice, matching, true/ false) term identification, and essay are elements of these exams. The final is cumulative. Evaluation Grades Activities Workbook 34% 90 or more = A Exam 1-12% 80-89 = B Exam 2-12% 70-79 = C Exam 3-12% 60-69 = D Exam 4-12% Below 60 = F Final Exam-18% HCC POLICIES You may access Student Services Policies on this website: http://hccs.edu/student-rights ADA Disability Policy Please inform me asap about any accommodation you will require for this course. Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office. For questions, please contact Donna Price at 713.718.5165 or the Disability Counselor at your college. To visit the ADA Web site, please visit www.hccs.edu then click Future students, scroll down the page and click on the words Disability Information. Northwest ADA Counselor Mahnaz Kolaini 713.718.5422 Academic Honesty: Disciplinary provisions established in HCC guidelines will be followed with regard to scholastic honesty. Refer to the HCC Student Handbook for detailed rules and regulations. Failure to abide by the institutional code of honesty, referred to as scholastic dishonesty, includes, but is not limited to, cheating (talking, passing notes, sharing answers) on tests, plagiarism, and collusion. Scholastic dishonesty will result in an "0" for the assignment on first offense. The second offense will result in an F for the course. 3
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy Beginning Fall 2007, the State of Texas imposes penalties on students who withdraw/drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. Students are encouraged to review the HCC 6 Drop Policy. To help you avoid having to withdraw from any class, contact your professor regarding your academic performance. You may also want to contact your counselor to learn about helpful HCC resources (e.g. online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc.). How To Drop If a student decides to withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, the student can withdraw online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student Center. HCC and/or professors may withdraw students for excessive absences without notification. Students should check HCC s Academic Calendar by Term for withdrawal dates and deadlines. Classes of other duration (flex-entry, 8-weeks, etc.) may have different final withdrawal deadlines. Please contact the HCC Registrar s Office at 713.718.8500 to determine mini-term class withdrawal deadlines. For this 2 nd Start Class: Last day for administrative withdrawal is Friday 11/11/11 by 12 noon. EGLS 3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term. POLICIES for this COURSE Attendance: Attendance = being present in class for the full class period. Arrive for class on time! There is an attendance penalty for habitual tardiness. In cases of borderline grades, attendance in class is particularly important. Students are expected to attend and will be evaluated for class participation. According to HCC policy, in a 3-credit course, students may be dropped after 6 hours (4 classes) of absence. It is essential that students be responsible for their enrollment status and dropping the class if they do not plan to complete the course. In any case, points will be deducted from the final numeric grade for each class absence of students. Make-up Work: All assignments are due and exams are to be taken on the posted dates. Missed class exercises cannot be made up. Make-up exams may be given at the discretion of the instructor - and with penalty (10%), but only to students with excused and documented absences. In any case, students may not request more than one make-up exam. Notify the instructor in advance if you anticipate a problem. Classroom Protocol: Students will discuss protocol fdoc. Each student IS important and brings unique contributions to class discussion and learning. Make it a personal goal to "contribute actively" in class. *Laptops are permitted ONLY for taking notes or doing assigned Internet work in class! *Electronic devices are prohibited during class and exams! Turn-off & put away cell phones! "No texting"! *Courtesy means: attention to class activity, speakers! Leaving class during lecture or film, dozing, reading homework or textbooks for other classes is rude and notable! *Arrive ON TIME! Habitual tardiness is disruptive to class and will be noted on attendance record. 4
SCHEDULE 2 nd Start Physical Anthropology (ANTH2301) - Fall 2011 Week Date Unit I. Fundamentals - Anthropology, Evolutionary Science, Genetics [Print out your Syllabus and Chapter Resources for Study from the Course Website/ Organize Notebook.] 1 September 26 th Biological Anthropology Reading: Text Chapter 1. Class Work: Film Study "Origin of Species". Internet exercise: PBS Website - Due Monday, 10/3/11. Big Picture: Species & Timelines (cosmic, geology, culture, language) Reading: Text Chapter 4 & pp. 218-225; Table 8.1-p. 220;Table 9.1- p.228. 2 October 3 rd Cell Biology & Human Genetics Reading: Text Chapter 2 Film Study Activities Workbook: Genetics on the Web - Due Wednesday, 10/12/11. 3 October 10 th Evolutionary Forces Reading: Text Chapter 3. Class Work: Genetic Drift Simulation Exercise Exam #1. Monday, 10/17/11 Fieldtrip "Primate World" Optional / Extra-credit Opportunity: Lecture-Tour Houston Zoo October 14 th Friday - 9a.m. - 12 noon Unit II. Humans Place in Nature: The Primate Order 4 October 17 th Introduction to Primate Taxonomy: Reading: Text Chapters 5 & 6; pp. 102-110. Film Studies: "Jane Goodall & the Wild Chimpanzees"; "Kelly's Baby". Activities Workbook: Primate Exercise - due Wednesday, 10/26/11) 5 October 24 th Living Primates: Adaptations, Behavior & Evolution; The Human Species as Primate Reading: Text Chapter 9. And Ch. 8 -pp.218-225 [How do we know when? - Methods of knowing the past] Film Study: "Children of Eve" (excerpts) & "Koko" (excerpts). The Human Species. Reading: Text Chapter 7 Film Study: " A Conversation with Koko". Exam #2. Monday, 10/31/11. Unit III. Paleoanthropology & Human Origins 6 October 31 st Hominin Origins [Bipedalism hypotheses? - where/when/why.] Reading: Text - Chapter 10; Review - pp. 203-225. Film Study: "Search for the First Human" (excerpts); The Story of Lucy" (excerpts). Activities Workbook: Film Responses & Comparing Hominins -due 11/16/11. 5
7 November 7 th Genus Homo [Big Brains & Stone Tools] & Archaic Humans Reading: Text - Chapters 11 & 12. Film Study: In Search of Human Origins: The Creative Revolution& /or Becoming Human. 8 November 14 th Anatomically Modern Humans Reading: Text Chapter 13. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/spencer_wells_is_building_a_family_tree_for_all_humanity.html Exam #3. Monday, 11/21/11 Last day for administrative withdrawal by 12 noon - Friday 11/11/11. Unit IV. Understanding Human Biological Variation 9 November 21 st The Study of Human Variation (Problems with Race Taxonomies) Reading: Text Chapter 14 Film Study: "Race: The Power of an Illusion" Activities Workbook: Film Response & AAA - "due Wednesday, 11/30/11 [Thanksgiving Holiday November 24 th ] 10 November 28 th Recent Microevolution of Human Populations: Natural Selection & Human Adaptation Reading: Text Chapters 15 & 16. Exam #4. Monday, 12/5/11 Culture, Biology & the Anthropological Perspective: Conclusions 11 December 5 th The Biological Impact of Agriculture and Civilization: Demography, Diet & Disease Reading: Text Chapter 17 Film Study: "Guns, Germs & Steel" OR "Trade Secrets". 12 December 12 th Final Exam: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Monday, December 12 th, 2011 Note: Instructor reserves the right to revise syllabus as needed! STUDYING FOR SUCCESS! SURVIVAL STRATEGIES - "ADAPTATION": *Do come to class. Take notes - lecture, discussion, films. *Use chapter study sheets and know vocabulary terms. *Earn extra exam points by doing the "optional" Internet quizzes for each chapter as assigned in class. *Ask questions! -> other students are probably wondering about "it" too! *Read the news for new discoveries/ research. Bring articles to class for discussion. *Visit the Houston Zoo for extra points on your project. *Enjoy learning! Preparing for Exams (Study Methods.) * Do the assigned readings on time. You will be better able to follow the lectures. * Before each exam, review the assigned readings from the Relethford text and the study sheets. Be sure you can answer questions. You will find it useful to write out your answers. * Review your lecture notes. (Focus first on the most general information and make sure you understand it before reviewing information that is more detailed.) If you find it useful, prepare a list of what you consider the most basic points and show it to me for comments and suggestions. * Go back through the supplementary readings & handouts making sure you can know the main point(s). *Make a list of everything you have questions about and come to see me or e-mail me for clarification. 6