I. ASCRC General Education Form
Group
Group XI Natural Science (non laboratory)
Dept/Program
Anthropology
Course #
Course Title
Prerequisite
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
None
Credits
210
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Ashley McKeown
9/8/08
2145; ashley.mckeown
@umontana.edu
Program Chair
John Douglas
Dean
Gerald Fetz, CAS
III. Description and purpose of the course: General Education courses must be introductory
and foundational. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Instructor
Phone / Email
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the major subfields of physical
anthropology. Students will become familiar with human genetics and processes of evolution,
biology and behavior of non-human primates, human evolution, and modern human adaptation
and variation. This course will also prepare students to take more advanced courses in physical
anthropology.
IV. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
This course explores the field of physical
Courses explore a discipline in the natural sciences and demonstrate how anthropology, which is primarily concerned
with understanding the human condition
the scientific method is used within the from a biocultural perspective within an
discipline to draw scientific conclusions. evolutionary framework. As the various
topics are discussed, the evolutionary
explanations are presented as the result of
the application of scientific inquiry.
The scientific method as it is applied in
1. Courses address the concept of analytic uncertainty and the rigorous physical anthropology is explicitly
discussed. The ways in which physical
process required to take an idea to a anthropologists construct hypotheses and test
hypothesis and then to a validated them, even for events, processes, etc. that we
know from the archaeological record, are
scientific theory. presented. The concept of analytical
uncertainty is addressed in presentations of
contrasting models for aspects of human
evolution and adaptation. The process of
theory building is inherent to this discussion.
Not a lab course.
2. Lab courses engage students in inquiry‐based learning activities where they formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment to test the hypothesis, and collect, interpret, and present the data to support their conclusions. V. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
The course introduces students to the
1. understand the general principles general principles of physical
associated with the discipline(s) anthropology and presents specific
studied; applications of those principles to
understanding biocultural aspects of
human and non-human primates within
an evolutionary framework.
This course presents the methods and
2. understand the methodology and activities scientists to use to study the
activities scientists use to gather, biocultural aspects of humans and nonvalidate and interpret data related to human primates within an evolutionary
natural processes; framework.
These activities are explicitly addressed in
3. detect patterns, draw conclusions, develop conjectures and hypotheses, Lecture 2 and integrated into the
explanations of human heredity, human
and test them by appropriate means evolution, human adaptation and the
and experiments; biology of non-human primates.
This is explicitly addressed in Lecture 2
4. understand how scientific laws and theories are verified by quantitative and is integrated into the lectures on
human heredity, human evolution,
measurement, scientific observation, human adaptation and the biology of
and logical/critical reasoning; and non-human primates.
Competing models for explaining aspects
5. understand the means by which analytic uncertainty is quantified and of human evolution and variation as well
as non-human primate biology are
expressed in the natural sciences. presented and the analytic uncertainty
associated with the evidence for the
various models is discussed.
VII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form. ⇓ The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
ANTHROPOLOGY 210
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
FALL 2008
MEETING TIMES AND PLACE MWF 11:10 am ­ 12:00 pm, Social Science Bldg 352 PROFESSOR Dr. Ashley McKeown Office: 225 Social Science Bldg
Office Hours: MWF 10:00 - 11:00 am and by appointment
Office Phone: 243-2145
Email: ashley.mckeown@umontana.edu
TEACHING ASSISTANT Lisa Smith Phone: 243‐5865 (leave message) Office: 254a Social Sciences Bldg
Email: lisa.smith@umontana.edu
Office Hours: Tues 9-12:30, Wed 1:00-2:30
COURSE TEXT
Required:
Biological Anthropology (2006) by C. Stanford, J. Allen, and S. Anton.
Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Either the Custom Edition for The University of Montana OR the 1st edition will work. Only
one of these is needed.
COURSE GOALS AND PURPOSE This course is designed to provide an introduction to the major subfields of physical
anthropology. Students will become familiar with human genetics and processes of evolution,
biology and behavior of non-human primates, human evolution, and modern human adaptation
and variation. This course will also prepare students to take more advanced courses in physical
anthropology.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will
• be familiar with the major subfields of physical anthropology
• understand the scientific method and how it is applied in physical anthropology
• understand the theoretical foundations of physical anthropology
• understand the principles of human genetics and the process and mechanisms of
evolution
• be familiar with the biology and behavior of non-human primates
• be familiar with human evolution and modern human adaptation and variation
• be prepared for more advanced courses in physical anthropology
COURSE STRUCTURE AND GRADING
During the course of the semester there will be three (3) multiple choice exams (100 points
each) and four (4) assignments (25 points each) for an overall total of 400 points. Each of the
three exams constitutes 25% of your final grade and the assignments provide the remaining
25%. The exam and assignment schedule is provided on the next page.
Exam Schedule
Exam 1 - Friday, Sept 26
Exam 2 - Monday, Nov 3
Exam 3 - Friday, Dec 12 (8-10 am, Final Exam Period)
Assignment Schedule
Assignment
1
2
3
4
Handed Out
Sept 12
Sept 22
Oct 29
Nov 21
Due
Sept 19
Oct 3
Nov 7
Dec 5
EXTRA CREDIT
At least one extra credit opportunity will be available during the semester.
You can expect your final grade to be assigned using the following scale:
A = 92% and up, A- = 90-91%, B+ = 88-89%, B = 82-87%, B- =80-81%, C+ = 78-79%, C =
72-77%, C- = 70-71%, D = 60-69%, F = 59% or less.
BLACKBOARD MATERIALS
This class also has a Blackboard presence where you can access the syllabus, announcements,
handouts, assignments and copies of the powerpoint presentations used in class. You can access
the Blackboard materials by going to http://umonline.umt.edu/ and following the directions you
find there.
CLASSROOM POLICIES Missing an exam - If you know in advance that you will miss an exam, please let me know before the
exam so that we can schedule an opportunity for you to take the exam early. If you miss an exam with a
valid and documented excused absence, you will need to contact me within 48 hours of the exam to
schedule a make-up. Otherwise you will need to take a comprehensive makeup exam scheduled for
Friday, November 30. No other make up opportunities will be offered.
Late assignments are unacceptable unless you have a valid and documented excuse that results in your
unavoidable absence. However, assignments will be accepted prior to the due date. If you know you will
be absent when an assignment is due, make arrangements to turn it in early. Any assignment received
after the due date or never received will be given no credit (0 points).
DO come to class. I try to integrate material and examples not present in the text into class lectures and
you will find that a lot of my test material comes from my lectures.
DO ask questions. While this is a large lecture class, I encourage you to ask questions and to share what
you know with the class. We all learn in an atmosphere of shared information and when we think
critically!
DON’T engage in disruptive behaviors during class, such as coming in late, leaving early, talking,
reading the newspaper, etc. These behaviors are disruptive (not to mention rude) even in a class this
size and will not be tolerated. Please be respectful of your fellow students.
DON’T cheat, plagiarize or in any other way participate in academic dishonesty. I take such
transgressions seriously (exams or assignments) and will deal with them in a serious manner. Cheating,
plagiarism, providing unauthorized help to other students, and other acts of academic dishonesty will
not be tolerated. For further details on what constitutes academic dishonesty and the disciplinary
sanctions for such infractions, please see the Student Conduct Code found at
http://life.umt.edu/VPSA/name/StudentConductCode.
ANTHROPOLOGY 210 - FALL 2008
SYLLABUS AND READINGS
WEEK
1
Aug 25-29
LECTURE
1
4
Sept 15-19
5
Sept 22-26
READINGS
2
Introduction to physical anthropology; The
scientific method in physical anthropology
Ch 1
3
History of evolutionary thought
No class, Monday Sept 1 - Labor Day
Ch 2
4
History of evolutionary thought
Ch 2
5
6
DNA, genes & chromosomes
Functions of DNA
Ch 3: 41-50, 57-71
Ch 3: 51-57
7
Mendelian genetics & complex traits
Ch 4: 73-83, 88-98
8
Population genetics & detecting evolutionary
Change (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium)
Forces of evolution: mutation & gene flow
Ch 6: 128-130,
Ch 5: 121-122, App C
Ch 4: 83-88, Ch 5: 104
10
Forces of evolution: genetic drift & natural
selection
Ch 5: 100-109
11
12
Natural selection in humans
Species & speciation
Ch 6: 137-152
Ch 5: 109-121
13
Film
2
Sept 1-5
3
Sept 8-12
TOPICS COVERED
Introduction to course
9
Fri, Sept 26 EXAM 1
6
Sept 29Oct 3
7
Oct 6-10
8
Oct 13-17
WEEK
9
Oct 20-24
10
Oct 27-31
11
Nov 3-7
12
Nov 10-14
13
Nov 17-21
14
Nov 24-28
15
Dec 1-5
14
Modern human adaptation: heat and cold
stress
Ch 6: 153-157
15
Modern human adaptation: high altitude
Ch 6: 157-161
16
17
Modern human adaptation: solar radiation &
skin color
Human variation: history of the race concept
Ch 17: 493-496 (1st ed)
BB (UM custom ed)
Ch 6: 127-135
18
Human variation: does race exist?
Ch 6: 135-136
19
20
Film: The difference between us
Primate osteology
App B
21
Primate taxonomy & evol. trends
Ch 7:164-175
22
Film: Life in the Trees
LECTURE
23
Prosimians
TOPICS COVERED
READINGS
Ch 7: 174-184
24
New World monkeys
Ch 7:184-186, 196-207
25
Old World Monkeys
26
Asian Apes
Ch 7: 186-187
Ch 8: 208-221
Ch 7: 187-190
27
African Apes
Ch 7: 190-196
Ch 8: 221-231
28
Film: Monkey in the Mirror
Mon, Nov 3 EXAM 2
29
Intro to paleoanthropology
Ch 9
30
31
Hominid origins
Early hominids
Ch 11
Ch 12: 321-335
32
The australopithecines
Ch 12: 335-351
33
34
Early Homo
Homo erectus
Ch 13: 353-361
Ch 13: 361-382
35
Archaic Homo sapiens
Ch 14: 384-395
36
37
Neandertals
Modern human origins
Ch 14: 395-416
Ch 15
38
No class Wed, Nov 26 & Fri, Nov 28 –
Thanksgiving Holidays
Film - Modern human origins
39
16
40
Finals
Week
Bioarchaeology & forensic anthropology
App A
Film - forensic anthropology
Exam 3, Final Exam Period
Friday, Dec 12, 8-10 am
*Please note: As an instructor of a general education course, you will be expected to provide
sample assessment items and corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.