PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
ANTH-01
SYLLABUS
SPRING 2009
INSTRUCTOR:
Marcus Arguelles
OFFICE LOCATION: IAC 264
OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER: (209) 384-6246
EMAIL: arguelles.marc@mccd.edu
LAB TECHNICIAN / ASSISTANT: Christine Grimaldi
OFFICE LOCATION: IAC 111
OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER: (209) 384-6019
EMAIL: grimaldi.c@mccd.edu
TEXT: Haviland, Human Evolution and Prehistory, Eighth Edition
WEEK OF READING ASSIGNMENT REACTION PAPER DUE
Jan. 19 Chapter 1 (Mon. lab attend alternate section)
Jan. 26 Chapter 2
Feb. 2 Chapter 3 Reaction Paper #1 Feb. 2
Feb. 9 Chapter 3
Feb. 16 Chapter 3 (Mon. lab attend alternate section)
Feb. 23 Chapter 4 Reaction Paper #2 Feb. 23
Mar. 2 Chapter 5
Mar. 9 Chapter 5
Mar. 16 Chapter 6 Reaction Paper #3 Mar. 16
Mar. 23 Chapter 6
Mar. 30 Chapter 7
Apr. 6 Chapter 8 Reaction Paper #4 Apr. 6
Apr. 13 SPRING BREAK
Apr. 20 Chapter 9
Apr. 27 Chapter 10
May 4 Chapter 13 Reaction Paper #5 May 4
May 11 Chapter 11
May 18 Chapter 12
May 25 FINALS WEEK
FINAL EXAM FOR MWF 9:00 am: TO BE ANNOUNCED
FINAL EXAM FOR MWF 10:00 am: TO BE ANNOUNCED
FINAL EXAM FOR MON 7:00 pm: TO BE ANNOUNCED
REACTION PAPERS: The first reaction paper will be your reaction to Chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It will be due on Monday, February 2nd. Subsequent papers will be due on the dates indicated above and will be on an anthropological topic of your choice. The papers should reflect your thoughts about statements in the text or your reaction to class discussions, lectures, and films. You may also express your ideas on relevant articles or programs you see outside of class. Sometimes your own experiences will provide you with material for this assignment.
Reaction papers will generally be worth a maximum of 25 points each, although I may award higher scores for exceptionally good work. Late papers will receive a reduced grade. Papers are to be typed in a 12 point font, double-spaced, and should average two pages in length.
PLEASE!!! Be sure to include the following information in the upper right hand corner of the first page:
NAME
CLASS TIME
DATE
In addition to these assignments you may be asked to write your response to a question or reaction to a short article during class. These will be graded the same as your assigned reaction papers and cannot be made up.
EXAMINATIONS: From time to time you will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of the text, films, lectures or lab through short quizzes. These may not be announced in advance and make-ups will be given only at the discretion of the instructor. You will need a basic calculator for the quizzes; cell phone calculators are not allowed. The final exam will be comprehensive and consist of two parts. Part 1 will consist of a test partially based on the quizzes given during the semester. Part 2 will be an essay based on questions given to you.
LAB: YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY CIRCULATION DESK AND COPY THE LAB EXERCISES; BRING THESE TO LAB. You will be expected to attend your scheduled lab each week. Most exercises will be worth 15 points; however, additional points will be given for exceptional work. Missed labs, or labs that fall on a holiday, must be completed by the end of the week: you may attend an alternate lab section that same week. Labs for this semester are Mon. 1:00-3:50pm, Wed. 1:00-3:50pm, Wed. 7:00-9:50pm, and Thurs. 7:00-9:50pm in IAC 110.
NOTE: Lab exercises MUST include the day and time of your scheduled lab, as well as the day and time of your scheduled lecture.
ATTENDANCE: It is your advantage to attend each class and lab since unannounced exercises cannot be made up and the final examination will be partially based on material covered in class and lab.
MAKE-UPS: Make-ups will be given only at the discretion of the instructor and must be completed within one week of the missed class or lab time. On occasion, Mr. Arguelles may ask you to contact Christine Grimaldi to arrange a make-up. No make-ups will be given during finals week.
THE USE OF CELL PHONES IS NOT ALLOWED DURING CLASS OR LAB: Phone calls and text messaging are NOT permitted. Turn off and put away your cell phones before entering the classroom. Using your phone during class or lab may result in your dismissal for the day. The use of a cell phone during an exam is viewed as cheating: see “Academic Honesty”.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This survey of physical anthropology deals with the study of man’s biological heritage and physical variability. The fossil evidence and theories of early man’s development will be covered. Students will have the opportunity to study man’s biocultural adaptability through contact with authentic stone tools made by our prehistoric ancestors. Human genetics, primatology, paleoanthropology, forensic anthropology, and current bioethical issues will be discussed. The philosophy of science and the scientific method serve as the foundation for this course. The laboratory portion of the course will include exercises in human variation, genetics, skeletal analysis, and primate behavior.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts and terminology of physical anthropology.
B. Compare and contrast the major research approaches in anthropology.
C. Critically appraise the evidence of man’s physical evolution and cultural development.
D. Evaluate and describe the historical development of physical anthropology as a scientific discipline.
E. Employ the scientific method to formulate and assess hypothesis related to anthropological questions.
F. Analyze genetic data to calculate expected genotypic and phenotypic frequencies.
G. Solve problems of forensic identification through skeletal analysis.
H. Collect and analyze data on non-human primate behavior.
I. Demonstrate and assess the problems associated with the concept of race.
GRADES: The scores on your labs, reaction papers, class exercises, and final exam will be added together to determine your grade. The top total score will be used to set the grading scale. The following increments will be used to establish the grades:
A = 90-100% of high total score
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a verified physical, medical, psychological, or learning disability or perhaps you feel you may have one of these disabilities which impacts your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact the Disabled Student Services (DSS) office. DSS staff will review your needs and determine what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. DSS is located in the Lesher Student Services Bldg. Room 234, phone 384-6155.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: “Academic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and misuse of college computers and software. Disciplinary action may include oral reprimand; a failing grade on all or part of a particular paper, project, or examination; or the assignment of an “F” grade in cases where dishonesty is more serious, premeditated, or a repeat offense. Serious or repeated offenses may result in suspension from the college.” (Merced College Catalog)
This syllabus may be modified by the instructor during the semester; all changes will be announced in class.
Instructor e-mail: arguelles.marc@mccd.edu
Lab Tech e-mail: grimaldi.c@mccd.edu
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