Anthropology 101: Human Biological Evolution
Fall 2012
Section 1147 T/Th 8 – 9:25
Section 1150 T/Th 9:40 – 11:05
Allied Health Sciences (AHS) 143
Instructor: Rebecca Frank, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Contact: email: frankre@lavc.edu or via Etudes Private Message; phone: (818) 778-5886
Office: Allied Health and Sciences 308
Drop-In Hours: Tuesday 11:15am – 2:30pm; Wednesday 11am – 1pm, or by appointment
Class website: https://myetudes.org For login Instructions: http://lavc.edu/virtualvalley/
Course Description: This course surveys the major topics of biological anthropology. The
primary goal of this course is to understand how modern humans evolved. To accomplish this
objective, we will (1) discuss the evolutionary process of natural selection, adaptation, and the
mechanics of genetics; (2) use these concepts to assess the evolutionary forces shaping the
behavior and morphology of our closest living relatives, the monkeys and apes; (3) consider
fossil evidence that documents the evolutionary history of our own lineage, the hominins; and (4)
evaluate how these forces have shaped the morphology, behavior, and psychology of modern
humans. These processes provide the key to understanding why we are the way we are.
Course Learning Objectives
• Apply the scientific method to problem solving situations and formulate the procedural steps
necessary for a scientific investigation.
• Describe the process of evolution and speciation by employing the concepts upon which
modern evolutionary theory is based and recognize examples of each.
• Describe, apply, and distinguish the basic concepts of Mendelian genetics, cytogenetics,
molecular genetics, and population genetics.
• Compare and contrast the anatomy and behavior of humans and other living primates.
• Categorize the important hominin fossils and construct a diagram illustrating the
evolutionary history of the hominins.
• Construct a probable scenario of early hominin behavior and describe the changes in hominin
behavior that occur in the Homo genus.
• Describe the physical differences observed among all human populations, including race, and
determine the biological and cultural significance and distribution of these differences.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to analyze human behavior
and anatomy from an evolutionary perspective.
Course Reading: The text for this course is the custom LAVC version of Physical
Anthropology, 10th edition, by Stein & Rowe, 2011. This book is available from the LAVC
bookstore. You can also use the standard version of this text, which is available online. If you
use an edition other than the 10th, the page numbers listed in the course outline may not be
correct. It is your responsibility to determine the corresponding reading assignment in older
editions. This text is also available on reserve in the library.
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GRADING
Exams (4) 100 points each (one dropped)
Homework Assignments (8) 20 points each
In class Activities (12) 10 points each
Final Essay
Final Exam
Total:
300 pts
160 pts
120 pts
100 pts
50 pts
730 pts
Important Dates: The dates for each exam and the due dates for all Homework Assignments are
listed on the course outline. Late Homework Assignments will lose 2 points and will not be
accepted more than one week late. In Class Activities cannot be made-up, regardless of the
reason for your absence. I do not give make-up exams. The final essay will not be accepted late.
Handouts, Homework Assignments, Lecture Notes, and other study aids will be available on
our class website at MyEtudes.org. It is your responsibility to check regularly and ensure you
have all the materials and assignments, particularly if you miss class. Please ask me if you have
any questions or need help logging into your account.
In-class Activities and Homework Assignments are intended to make class interesting,
enhance your understanding of the material, and earn points without the pressure of taking an
exam. They are an important part of your grade. Doing them carefully and turning them in on
time will help you do well in the class.
Final Essay: The final essay asks you to synthesize concepts and data from multiple parts of the
course and use this data to support your thesis. Many of the activities and assignments will help
you think through components of the larger essay question and there are several avenues for help
on this assignment. Further details will be available later in the semester.
Exams
There will be four exams. Each exam will cover new material since the previous exam, and will
include material from lecture, the reading assignments, and handouts. Exams are not cumulative;
however you will need to apply concepts learned early in the course to new information as the
class progresses. The lowest of your 4 exam scores will be dropped from your final point tally.
There will be no make-up exams. If you miss one exam, this zero is the score that will be
dropped from your final point tally. Additional missed exams will receive a score of zero and be
counted in your final point tally. The Final Exam will be cumulative, covering the major
concepts from the entire course. Both the 4th exam and the final exam will be given during the
scheduled final exam time for your section. The final exam cannot be dropped or made-up.
Exam questions will include short answer questions and multiple-choice questions. When writing
short paragraphs, please use proper sentence structure and grammar. On exam days please bring
a #2 pencils, an 882-E scantron, and a working ink pen. I will provide paper for any written
exam questions. Anyone who uses aids during an examination or looks at another student’s
work, will as a minimum penalty, receive a zero score (see Academic Integrity below).
Final grades will be calculated using a standard grade distribution: 90% of the possible points
and above is an A, 80% and above is a B, 68% and above is a C, and 60% and above is a D.
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Keep a record of your points earned on each of the assignments to help you monitor your
standing in the class. Please ask if you have any questions. Incompletes will only be assigned in
very rare cases, only if you are currently passing the class, and only if you speak with me before
the last exam. I will post your scores in the gradebook on Etudes.
Extra Credit opportunities are listed as assignments on Etudes. Each extra credit assignment
will open when we begin working on related material in class and will close when we finish with
that topic. Each is worth 5 points. These are your only chances for extra credit and their due
dates will not be extended. It is your responsibility to pay attention to their open and close dates
and complete them if you choose. Extra-credit will not be offered on an individual basis. These
points will be added to your point total and used in calculating your final grade.
To do well in this class:
This is a science course and many people find it challenging. You must put in the time and effort
to learn the material. You will probably need to spend an additional 5 to 7 hours a week reading
and reviewing your notes. Here are some additional tips for doing well:
• Do all the assigned reading ahead of class each day
• Come to class with questions about the reading or from previous lectures
• Print out the lecture slides before class
• Take good notes during lectures
• Ask questions during lecture if you don’t understand
• Come to class on time, pay attention, and stay for the full lecture. Lecture material expands
on ideas from the reading, so you need to attend class.
• Review your notes after each lecture, and repeatedly in the weeks before an exam. Only
studying the night before an exam will not be enough.
• Complete Homework Assignments carefully and on time. Ask questions early so you can
finish them correctly.
• Make friends with classmates, share notes from missed lectures, and study together before
exams.
• Check the Etudes website often for announcements, assignments, web links, and handouts.
Class Conduct: While I do not expect everyone to ask questions or otherwise speak every class
meeting, I do expect that you will pay attention. Active engagement improves knowledge
retention, so come to class and pay attention! Please keep your comments and questions relevant
to the course material. You must listen to and treat the opinions of others respectfully, even if
you do not agree. Disruptive or insulting comments or behavior will not be tolerated.
Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability requiring classroom accommodations,
and have not contacted SSD, do so in a timely manner. SSD is located in the Student Services
Annex, Room 175 or call SSD at (818) 947-2681 or TTD (818) 947-2680 to meet with a SSD
counselor. If SSD has already sent the memo to instructor confirming accommodations required
by student for this class, please meet with me to discuss arrangements.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly
acknowledging their source. When you incorporate those words and ideas into your own work,
you must give credit where credit is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered
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academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on
assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using ‘crib’ sheets, cutting and pasting text from
websites or copying text from written sources, paying someone to write a paper for you) will (1)
receive a zero on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services
for further disciplinary action, following due process. For further information on plagiarism go to
the Writing Center website: www.lavc.edu/WCweb/plagiarism.html and the college website:
www.lavc.edu/catalog/policies.pdf
Financial Aid is available! Call (818) 947-2412. Go to the Financial Aid Office in the Student
Services Center. For more info: http://www.lavc.edu/financialaid/index.htmlindex.html
Attendance Policy prior to census date: Any enrolled student who does not attend the first day
of class will be dropped unless they contact me before the second meeting. Any student who
attends the first class meeting but misses a subsequent meeting during the first two weeks of the
semester will be dropped unless they contact me before the next meeting. If you miss Thursday
of 2nd week and want to remain in the class you must contact me by 5pm that day or you will be
dropped. Students will be allowed to add the class following a first-come-first-served wait list as
spots open. Please note that it is ultimately YOUR responsibility to drop any course that you are
not attending. If you stop participating in this class and do not officially drop the class through
the Admissions and Records Office, you will receive an ‘F’ for your final grade.
Important Administrative Dates
Labor Day Holiday
Last day to add
Last day to drop classes without a fee/with refund
Last day to drop classes without a “w”
Veteran’s Day Holiday
Last day to drop classes with a “w”
Thanksgiving Holiday
Final exams week
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Monday September 3rd
Friday September 7th
Sunday September 9th
Sunday September 9th
Monday November 12th
Sunday November 18th
November 22nd – 25th
December 10th – 16th
What Happens When?
The course outline is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class and posted on
Etudes. Students are responsible for staying up to date on the schedule and with all material
covered during lectures. The Course Map tool in Etudes can be helpful in tracking assignments.
Week
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Date
Aug 28
Aug 30
Sep 4
Sep 6
Sep 11
Sep 13
Sep 18
Sep 20
Sep 25
Sep 27
Oct 2
Oct 4
Oct 9
Oct 11
Oct 16
Oct 18
Oct 23
Oct 25
Oct 30
Nov 1
Nov 6
Nov 8
Nov 13
Nov 15
Nov 20
Nov 22
Nov 27
Nov 29
Dec 4
Dec 6
Topic
Introduction and Scientific method
Origins of Evolutionary Theory
Evolution by natural selection
Molecular Genetics & Cytogenetics
Mendelian Genetics & Inheritance
Population Genetics, Macroevolution,
Limits on Evolution
Human Genetics
Exam 1
Systematics & Taxonomy
Primate Characteristics
Comparative Anatomy
Primate Ecology
Primate Social Behavior
Cooperation & Human Comparisons
Exam 2
The Fossil Record & Dating Methods
Early Primate Evolution
Hominin origins & adaptations
Early Hominins & genus Homo
Evolution of the human life pattern
Exam 3
Homo erectus
Late genus Homo
Homo sapiens
Origin and spread of modern humans
Thanksgiving Holiday
Modern Human Variation
Understanding Race
Modern human mating behavior
Final Class Wrap-Up
Final Exam & Exam #4:
Assignment
Ch 1
Was Darwin Wrong? – Nat Geo
Ch 5 pages 86-95 & 106-107
Ch 2
Ch 2
Ch 4, Ch 5 pg 100 - 106
Ch 3
Ch 6
Ch 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch 5 pages 96-99, Ch 9
Ch 10
Ch 11
Ch 12 to pg 279
Review Ch 8, Ch 12 pg 279-283
Ch 13
Review Ch 10
Ch 14
Instant Expert: Human Origins NS
Ch 15
Biggest Questions in HE - NS
Ch 17
RACE website; Final Essay Due
Ev Psych Video Clips
Section 1147: Thursday Dec 13th 8 – 10 am
Section 1150: Tuesday Dec 11th 9:30 – 11:30 am
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