ANTHR 2: Physical Anthropology
Prof. Otte
M 6:30-9:30-Cunn 102
ANTHROPOLOGY 2:
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Fall 2005
Professor: John Otte, M.A.
Phone: (209) 575-6500 ext 8207
Office Hours: by appointment only
Email: jotte@deltacollege.edu
URL: http://virtual.mjc.edu/ottej
Physical anthropology is the study of human biology within the framework of evolution. In this
course we will investigate the biological basis of human life through the study of genetics,
inheritance, and the principles of evolution. We will also be concerned with human adaptation and
variation. Physical anthropologists also study non-human primates, thus we will become acquainted
with the principal living primates and their social behavior, as well as fossil anthropoids and
hominoids. We will then critically analyze the data, methods, theories, and debates surrounding the
evolution of hominids, with special emphasis on biocultural evolution. By expanding our knowledge
of millions of years of evolution, we will develop a deeper appreciation for the nature of humankind.
This course is an introductory lower division course comparable to introductory level anthropology
courses at 4-year colleges and universities. This course satisfies Section I: Natural Sciences of your
General Education Requirements. If you plan to attend a CSU school this course satisfies area B2
(Life Science) or if you are following the IGETC program this course satisfies Area 5B (Biological
Sciences).
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. Define the nature, scope, and methods of anthropology.
2. Discuss the areas of emphasis with physical anthropology.
3. Explain and illustrate the scientific methods, evolutionary theory and evolutionary principles
including genetics.
4. Describe and evaluate relevant data from geology, including the process of fossilization.
5. Explain methods used in dating the evidence for human evolution.
6. Discuss the functional anatomy of the Order Primate and describe, compare, and contrast
traits shared by members of the Order.
7. Appraise the influence of culture on human biological evolution.
8. Identify important hominid fossil discoveries.
9. Compare and contrast the morphology of hominids.
10. Assess hominid cultural evolution.
11. Evaluate various phylogenetic interpretations of hominid biological and cultural evolution.
12. Discuss human variation—past and present.
13. Evaluate new hominid fossil discoveries reported in the mass media.
1 Delta College
ANTHR 2: Physical Anthropology
Prof. Otte
M 6:30-9:30-Cunn 102
TEXT:
Required texts for this course:
Jurmain, Robert, Lynn Kilgore, and Wenda Trevathan,
2006 Essentials of Physical Anthropology, 6th edition. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth/Thomson.
Angeloni, Elvio
2004 Annual Editions Physical Anthropology 05/06. McGraw Hill.
QUIZZES, EXAMS AND GRADING:
Quizzes and exams will cover both reading and lecture materials. Over the course of the semester,
there will be six (6) quizzes consisting of 15 multiple choice questions (Scantron 815-E). I will drop
your lowest quiz grade. Exams will contain but not limited to multiple choice, short answer, and
essay questions (Scantron 886-E mini-essay book). To learn more about how to write essays and
how I grade essay questions, please see my webpage.
Point Breakdown
Assignments
Quizzes × 5
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Total Points Possible
Total Points
150 (30 points each)
100
100
150
500
Scale for determining your final course grade:
450-500 pts
= A (excellent)
400-449
= B (good)
350-399
= C (satisfactory)
300-349
= D (less than satisfactory)
299 or less
= F (failing)
10%
20%
30%
40%
Be Mindful: Students should retain all graded and returned papers until the end of the
semester. While I rarely make mistakes, retaining your papers is proof of grades.
MAKE-UP POLICY:
1. Make-ups will be given ONLY under the following circumstances: (a) acute illness (b)
extenuating circumstances which affect your performance and presence in the classroom
(e.g., family crisis, auto accident, etc).
2. All make-ups must be requested on the day of the missed exam. This means that
you must contact me the day of the exam and arrange for a future make-up.
Failure to do so will result in denial of a make-up. You may call during my office
hours, leave a message on my voice mail, send an email or send a message with a friend.
Be mindful: If you take a make-up on one exam, you cannot earn higher than a “C” grade on
subsequent make-ups.
3. Make-ups are constructed to be more difficult than scheduled exams.
4. There will be NO make-up for quizzes.
2 Delta College
M 6:30-9:30-Cunn 102
ANTHR 2: Physical Anthropology
Prof. Otte
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
It is the student’s responsibility to attend class. You are responsible for all materials presented and
announcements made in class. It is YOUR responsibility to get lecture notes from your classmates,
not mine. Do not ask me for them! Missing class will result in missing important lecture material
which will adversely affect your quiz and exam grades.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Withdrawing from the class is your responsibility!
The last day to withdrawal from class without a “W” on your transcript is Thursday, February 10th
and the last day to withdrawal from class with a “W” on your transcript is Thursday, April 28th.
Failure to withdraw by the above dates will result in an “F” grade on your records.
***Please note that I do not drop students. This is your responsibility!***
ACADEMIC CONDUCT:
While engaged in this course you are expected to abide by the rules of academic conduct. For details
on acceptable behavior, see your course catalog. Specifically, plagiarism, cheating, or other types of
academic misconduct are totally unacceptable! Copying the work of others is a particular problem,
and I will be very strict. If I suspect that you are copying material from ANYWHERE, you will
receive a ZERO on that assignment until the issue is resolved (some possible resolutions include
confirmation of the validity of your source, a rewrite of the assignment, or a permanent zero [which
may result in an “F” in the course]). Remember, I have read all of the material you are reading, and
can easily check web sites for suspicious writing. These will be dealt with according to the fullest
extent of the rules of this institution.
CELL PHONES AND PAGERS:
Now for my pet peeve. Active cell phones and pagers will not be tolerated during class so
please turn them off! If your cell phone or beeper goes off during class, you will be properly
chastised. If you leave class to answer a phone call or to make a phone call, do NOT come back.
Cell phones may not be on the desk, in your hand or in any way visible while class is in session—
including during testing. They are distracting to me and the other students when they ring in the
middle of a lecture.
3 Delta College
M 6:30-9:30-Cunn 102
ANTHR 2: Physical Anthropology
Prof. Otte
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR GRADES:
It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades. If you care about your grades, then YOU keep
track of them. Do not ask me for your grades because I will refer you to this chart.
Assignment
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
Quiz 6
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Total
Total points Possible
30
30
30
30
30
30
100
100
150
500
Be sure to drop your lowest quiz grade!
Your total points
Note: The schedules and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.
COURSE TOPIC OUTLINE:
Week
Lecture Topic
Date
Unit 1: Introduction to Anthropology
Week 1
Introduction
M 8/15
The Nature of Anthropology
Week 2
History of Evolutionary Thought
M 8/22
***Quiz 1***
Unit 2: Evolutionary Theory, Genetics and Human Variation
Week 3
Charles Darwin and Natural Selection
M 8/29
The Biological Basis of Life: DNA
Cell Division
Week 4
***Labor Day*** No Class
M 9/05
Week 5
Mendelian Genetics
M 9/12
Forces of Evolution
Week 6
***Exam 1***
M 9/19
Unit 3: Modern Primates and Primate Behavior
Week 7
Characteristics of Primates
M 9/26
Adaptations
Primate Survey
Week 8
Primate Behavior
M 10/03
***Quiz 3***
Unit 4: Reconstructing and Dating the Past
Week 9
Geologic Time
M 10/10
Dating Methods
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M 6:30-9:30-Cunn 102
ANTHR 2: Physical Anthropology
Prof. Otte
Unit 5: Primate Evolution and the Origins of Bipedalism
Week 10
Principles of Classification
M 10/17
Mammalian Evolution and Early Primate Evolution
***Quiz 4***
Week 11
Miocene Fossil Hominoids
M 10/24
Bipedal Adaptation
Week 12
***Exam 2***
M 10/31
Unit 6: Basal Hominids, Australopithecines and Early Homo
Week 13
Australopithecines
M 11/07
Homo habilis
Unit 7: The Rise of Homo erectus and Modern Human Origins
Week 14
Historical Overview and Geographical Distribution
M 11/14
Morphology
Cultural Remains
***Quiz 5***
Unit 8: Homo neanderthalensis
Week 15
Neanderthal morphology and Middle Paleolithic Culture
M 11/21
Neanderthals on trial
Unit 9: Homo sapiens sapiens and The Great Diaspora
Week 16
Origins and Dispersal and Technology and Art
M 11/28
***Quiz 6***
Week 17
Homo florensis
M 12/05
Finals Week
***Monday, December 12th ***
Please note: the final exam must be taken in order to receive a grade for the course.
You will receive separate handouts for each of the above units. These will include learning
objectives for the unit, reading assignments, list of study terms and study questions. Exam question
will be based on these study units.
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