Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Course Number:

ATH 101

Transcript Title:

Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Created:

May 18, 2022

Updated:

Jun 29, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

No

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Major

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Explain the scientific basis of physical anthropology in terms of biochemistry, genetics, evolutionary adaptation, and molecular biology.

• Identify and define basic concepts in physical anthropology.
• Identify how scientific method is applied to the study of humans.
• Discuss the biological background for physical anthropology.
• Identify the structure of DNA, protein synthesis, and the significance of mutations in evolution.
• Identify chromosomal structure, cell division, and aberration in creating variation and evolution.
• Explore Mendel's laws of inheritance.
• Discuss how physical anthropologists use scientific evidence to explain evolutionary processes.

Outcome #2: Analyze the fossil record in light of current information on genetics, evolutionary processes, molecular evidence of evolution, and the anatomy and behavior of living primates.

• Provide current examples from biochemistry, genetics, adaptation, and molecular biology.
• Discuss the fossil record of humanity.
• Discuss the evidence for human evolution.
• Explore questions and controversies involving the interpretation of fossil hominids and artifacts.
• Explore current data on genetics and evolutionary processes in the molecular evidence of evolution.
• Discuss key examples from the fossil record to illustrate changes in primate and hominin development.

Outcome #3: Compare primate anatomy, behavior, gender roles, social organization, reproduction and ecology, as well as noting diversity, classification and geographic distribution of various species.

• Identify and define the anatomy and behavior of living primates.
• Explore the diversity of the order primates: prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans.
• Identify anatomical and locomotor adaptations of primates including humans.
• Differentiate Homo habilis and Homo erectus: developing culture-based lifeways.
• Distinguish the different kinds of primates into various classifications, including humans.

Outcome #4: Examine the evidence for emergent hominin cultural behavior over time, recognizing ancient variations as formative antecedents to modern human expressions.

• Identify animal adaptations and diversity in geological time.
• Explore features shared with other primates, other mammals, and other vertebrate animals.
• Identify important stages in the evolution of Homo sapiens.
• Define ancient cultural sources for modern human society.
• Discuss the emergence and transformation of human culture over time.
• Discuss the importance of the environment in human evolutionary success.
• Identify the earliest cultural behavior: living spaces and tool technologies.
• Investigate cultural behaviors of the Paleolithic peoples: evidence and interpretations.
• Explore ancient cultural sources for modern human society: cognition and language.
• Explore examples of ancient cultural behavior, including artifacts and abstract thought.

Outcome #5: Identify how human diversity is a bio-cultural response to environmental and biological factors.

• Explore differences between culturally and biologically determined behaviors.
• Articulate an understanding of evolutionary theory as it applies to medicine.
• Identify past and present impact of the environment on human populations.
• Explore possible future outcomes for our species based on present trends in environmental change.
• Connect modern human diversity with prehistoric responses to environment factors.

Suggested Texts and Materials

• Angeloni, E. (2018). Annual Editions Physical Anthropology, 23rd ed. McGraw-Hill. (supplemental)
• Boulanger, C.L. (2013). Biocultural Evolution. Waveland Press Inc.
• Boyd, R. and Silk, J. (2018). How Humans Evolved. 8th Ed. Norton and Company Inc.
• Hall, R., Beals, K., Neumann, H., Neumann, G., & Madden, G. (2008). Introduction to Human Osteology. Grand Valley State University. (OER, supplemental)
• Jurmain, R., Kilgore, L., Trevathan, W. (2017). Essentials in Physical Anthropology, 10th ed. Thomson Wadsworth.
• Shook, B., Nelson, K., Aguilera, K., & Braff, L. (2019). Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology. American Anthropological Association. (OER)
• Welker, B. (2017). The History of Our Tribe: Hominini. SUNY Geneseo. (OER)