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Anthropology 1300
Human Evolution
Distance Learning, Summer
6 week session
Instructor: Meredith Small
Email: ms32@cornell.edu
I check email several times a day during summer session so feel free to contact
me.
You must have computer access at all times for this course. It is an online
course, which means you watch lectures, do readings, and access Discussion
Questions and Prelims online. If your are traveling or working somewhere new,
please make sure you have good wifi and that your computer is in good working
order. Have a Plan B on this in case something goes wrong.
Course Description: The evolution of humankind is explored by examining the
biological differences among current human populations, the human fossil
record, and a comparison with our closest relatives the nonhuman primates. This
course investigates the roots of human biology and behavior with an evolutionary
framework.
Each week the required lectures, readings, and external links are unlocked on
Monday at noon EST (except for week 1 which opens on Sunday at noon to
make sure the site is working for you). You will view Powerpoint lectures, which
are slides with my voice explaining concepts. You will do the required readings
and also view external links which include videos, newspaper articles, current
events, and other extras. Feel free to send links that might interest the class and
I’ll post them.
Requirements:
1) There are three exams for this course. They occur every two weeks (at the
end of weeks 2, 4 and 6) and follow the course, which is split into three
sections—human variation and evolution, the fossil record, and nonhuman
primates. The last prelim is not cumulative. Each prelim counts for 30 points of
your grade (90 points total).
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS TO PRELIMS ON THAT SATURDAY AT
NOON AND THEY ARE DUE BY MONDAY AT NOON
Please label your Prelim with the course number, your last name, and the
assignment as in SmallANT1300Prelim1
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Please send the Prelims to our TA Tina Shrestha at ts287@cornell.edu
2) You will also be required to choose ONE discussion question from the list
based on the readings from the list for each two week section and answer it in
ONE DOUBLE SPACED PAGE. Each discussion answer is worth 10 point (60
points total).
Grades for the weekly Discussion Question will be based on the following:
1. A clear and concise statement of the idea, argument, thesis or point to which
the discussion question refers. 4 points
2. Support your answer with evidence from the specific readings. 4 points
3. Writing style including organization, grammar, and clear style. 2 points.
Please note that in this type of academic or scientific writing your opinion is not
appropriate. You are answering a specific question about the work of others.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
Please send Discussion Questions to our TA Tina Shrestha at
ts287@cornell.edu.
Please label your Discussion Paper with the course number, your last name, and
the assignment as in SmallANT1300Discuss1
WE DO NOT ACCEPT LATE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS OR PRELIMS.
Your grade in the course is based on a total of 150 points.
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Readings:
You will be reading chapters online from the following books:
The Beak of the Finch, Jonathan Weiner
Mapping Human History, Steve Olson
The First Human, Ann Gibbon
Catching Fire, Richard Wrangham
Our Inner Ape, Frans de Waal
and selections from Natural History Magazine on primate behavior.
Discussion Questions and Handouts
Discussion questions and handouts are posted Blackboard
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1:
What is a human and how has our species evolved? What is unique or not
unique about humans? What is the place of humans among other primates?
Reading – Beak of the Finch
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON MONDAY AT END OF WEEK, BY NOON
Week 2:
Our Bodies, Ourselves. A look at the human skeleton, our genetic make-up, and
how we adapted to various climates across the globe.
Reading –Mapping Human History
PRELIM #1 AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY AND DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
Week 3:
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Our fossil heritage including ancient primates, the Australopithecines, and the
beginning of our genus
Reading – The First Human
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
Week 4:
What makes humans human — big brains, walking on two feet, and culture. We
also populate the world
Reading – Catching Fire
PRELIM #2 AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY AND DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
Week 5:
The anthropology of nonhuman primates and why monkeys and apes matter
when thinking about human behavior.
Reading- Selections from Natural History Magazine
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
Week 6:
Mating and social systems among primates. What do these animal have to tell
us about being human?
Reading- Our Inner Ape
PRELIM #3 AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY AND DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON MONDAY BY NOON
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It is Cornell policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have
a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, or
systemic) that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet
course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact
Student Disability Services and their instructors for a confidential discussion of
their individual need for academic accommodations. Student Disability Services
is located in 420 CCC. Staff can be reached by calling 607-254-4545.