Writing Course Review Form (1/12)
I. General Education Review – Writing Course
Dept/Program
Course # (i.e. ENEX
Anthropology
ANTY 310
Subject
200)
Course Title
Human Variation
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office.
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Instructor
Randall Skelton
Phone / Email
X4245
randall.skelton@umon
tana.edu
Program Chair
Gilbert Quintero
Dean
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Reason for new course, change or deletion
Change
X
Remove
Addition of a writing course designation
IV Overview of the Course Purpose/ Description: Provide an introduction to the subject
matter and course content.
The goal of this course is to examine biological explanations for how variation arises among
humans, as well as how studies of human variation influence society both past and present. We will
consider genetic, phenotypic, sex, and behavioral differences among humans, as well as the theory,
methods, and ethics involved in scientific studies of humans. Through the course students will be
expected to explain human variation from a biological perspective, understand, interpret and react
to current and future human biological studies, research and explain in writing a specific topic of
interest, and intelligently discuss multiple topics and readings related to human variation studies.
V Learning Outcomes: Explain how each of the following learning outcomes will be achieved.
Both the essay assignment and short written
Student learning outcomes :
participation assignments are meant to foster
Use writing to learn and synthesize new
student involvement with lecture material,
concepts
enabling them to better understand and retain
information.
The short written participation assignments are
Formulate and express written opinions and
designed for students to answer an open-ended
ideas that are developed, logical, and
question pertaining to a class topic (such as
organized
“how would you define ‘race’”), allowing
students to formulate a logical response, and
incorporate their own opinion with what has
been covered in lecture. The longer essay
assignment and associated outline are both
designed to enable students to write a clear,
logical, and well supported argument on a topic
of their choice relating to the class.
Compose written documents that are
appropriate for a given audience, purpose and
context
Revise written work based on constructive
comments from the instructor
Find, evaluate, and use information
effectively and ethically (see
http://www.lib.umt.edu/informationliteracy/)
Begin to use discipline-specific writing
conventions
Demonstrate appropriate English language
usage
VI. Writing Course Requirements
Enrollment is capped at 25 students.
If not, list maximum course enrollment. Explain
how outcomes will be adequately met for this
number of students. Justify the request for
variance.
The essay assignment is designed to be written
with their classmates as their intended audience.
Through this focused audience students are
asked to explain material that will allow their
classmates to best understand the research they
carry out. This aids in their perception of how to
write for a specific audience, namely their peers.
The detailed outline (which should average 2-3
pages) is reviewed by the instructor for content
and clarity, and allowed to be resubmitted based
on feedback.
The research paper for the course must be
supported by at least ten sources that the student
must find outside of class readings. The students
are instructed on locations where they might find
sources, and how to effectively utilize them to
make an argument and avoid plagiarism.
Citation formatting and utilizing scientific
writing conventions are both aspects of the
research paper assignment.
Papers and assignments are all graded with an
eye to English language usage, and all students
are encouraged to follow established guidelines.
Enrollment is approximately 40 students. The
instructor has aid from a preceptor to help in
handling students and basic questions on
material, which has worked in the past. This
number of students can be adequately taught
with coursework spread out throughout the
semester, with the aid of a grader/preceptor to
ensure students are given the help they
require.
What instructional methods will be used to teach
A handout that encompasses what is expected
students to write for specific audiences, purposes,
for written work, especially the research
and genres?
paper, is distributed to students. Additionally,
several lectures are spent discussing topics,
means to address them, and what can be done
to ensure individual students perform well on
their written work. I also meet individually
with as many students as are interested to
discuss their writing, what can be improved,
and other feedback I can provide.
Which written assignments will include revision in Yes, the outline may be resubmitted based on
response to instructor’s feedback?
feedback.
VII. Writing Assignments: Please describe course assignments. Students should be required to
individually compose at least 16 pages of writing for assessment. At least 50% of the course grade
should be based on students’ performance on writing assignments. Clear expression, quality, and
accuracy of content are considered an integral part of the grade on any writing assignment.
Formal Graded Assignments
Research paper: (8-10pgs)—15% of
grade
Outline: (2-3 pgs)—5% of grade
Participation: (6pgs)—10% of grade
Problem set: (3-5pgs)—10% of grade
Midterm exam (essay format for
approximately half)—(~2pgs) 25% of
grade
Informal Ungraded Assignments
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. 
For assistance on syllabus preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
The syllabus must include the following:
1. Writing outcomes
2. Information literacy expectations
3. Detailed requirements for all writing assignments or append writing assignment instructions
Paste syllabus here.
Anthropology 310: Human Variation
_____ Semester 201_
Instructor:
Dr. Meradeth Snow
Meradeth.snow@umontana.edu
Office Hours: 2-5pm in 219 Social Sciences & by appointment.
Class Information:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:10am-12:30pm in 344 SS
Class Preceptor:
TBA
Textbook & Readings:
Molnar, SJ. 2006. Human Variation: Races, Types and Ethnic Groups, 6th Edition.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN# 0-13-192765-5.
Supplemental readings will be posted on the course Moodle site. These will provide
material for discussion in class or discussion section.
The Purpose of Anthropology 310:
The goal of this course is to examine biological explanations for how variation arises
among humans, as well as how studies of human variation influence society both past and
present. We will consider genetic, phenotypic, sex, and behavioral differences among
humans, as well as the theory, methods, and ethics involved in scientific studies of
humans. Through the course students will be expected to explain human variation from a
biological perspective, understand, interpret and react to current and future human
biological studies, research and explain in writing a specific topic of interest, and
intelligently discuss multiple topics and readings related to human variation studies.
Grades:
Exams:
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Exam: 30%
Research Paper:
Outline: 5%
In-class presentation: 5%
Research Paper: 15%
Problem Set: 10%
Participation: 10%
Examinations:
The midterm exam will be primarily made up of term identifications, short answer, and
short essay questions. The final exam will be entirely composed of multiple choice
questions. The midterm exam will test your knowledge and understanding of material
covered from the start of class through Week 7. The final exam will test your knowledge
and understanding of material covered during weeks 8-15, including the presentations of
student papers. Although the final is not technically cumulative, you may find terms and
examples from the first half of the class helpful on the final exam as many concepts are
cumulative.
Research Paper:
Your research paper will be written on a topic of your choice—something of interest to
you within the realm of human biological variation, including all topics covered in this
course. You are encouraged to talk to your instructor about your topic to ensure that it is
suitable. You should have your specific topic chosen by the midterm, and a significant
amount of research completed before you turn in your outline.
Outline: The goal of the outline is to ensure that your research is on schedule for you to
complete your paper to the best of your ability. Additionally, it allows your instructor the
chance to ensure your topic is adequate and direct you to any major points you may be
missing in your research. The outline will be a two-three page, typed document outlining
your paper. Each paragraph you plan to write in your should have a line on the outline
that specifies the main topic of that paragraph; in others words, in reading your outline
your instructor should have a concrete view of your paper and research topics when
finished. You will be allowed to re-submit your revised outline based on your professor’s
comments and advice.
Presentation: It is important that you leave college with the ability to synthesize and
present research you have accumulated. For this reason, a brief, five-minute presentation
will be required of each student at the end of the quarter, covering the topic you chose for
your paper. These presentations will also be possible subject matter for the final exam
and attendance is highly recommended.
Paper: The research paper should be approximately eight to ten pages (no longer than 12
pages, double spaced, 12 point Times font, 1” margins—it is obvious if you stray from
these guidelines) and include literature citations, both in-text and as a Works Cited. It
should consist primarily of new information not presented in class. Sources used to write
your paper should include journal articles and books but no websites other than online
journals. You will be graded on the level of scholarship reflected by the paper, its
relevance to the course, clarity and thought put into the paper, support provided, writing
style, and mechanics. The research paper will be due on the last day of class (May 9th).
Problem Set:
The problem set assigned to you will be distributed via Moodle and will cover
information presented during the first half of the course. You will be asked to apply
formulas and reason out problems applicable to human variation studies. A practice
problem set will be distributed prior to this for you to complete and which will be solved
during week 5. You will be graded on your work, how well it is labeled, your
explanations, and the answers you obtain. This problem set may take quite a bit of time—
do not wait until the last minute to begin!
Participation:
The participation portion of the class will be based on your contribution to classroom
discussions that will take place throughout the semester. These will be primarily
composed of answering written questions, which will then be discussed as a group. Your
attendance and thoughtful and respectful analysis of the assigned readings for the
classroom discussion will be counted toward your grade. Several weeks will also have
small assignments that will accompany the reading—these will be announced widely in
class.