Anthropology 1
Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Understanding of chimp behavior today helps us to understand the ways in which our early ancestors may have behaved because I think any behaviors shared by the modern chimps and modern humans was probably in the common ancestor of humans and chimps and if it was present in the common ancestor, therefore it was present in the early humans. Jane Goodall
|
NOTE: Unfortunately, I get a lot of junk email and if I don't recognize the sender's name , I delete the message without opening it. Therefore, if you send me an email be sure to put in the subject box ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: your name (last name), the class name, AND the section number (e.g., Jones, Phys. Anthro., Sec. 99999).
Cautionary Note Regarding Cell Phones
/ Beepers
If you carry a cell phone or beeper, PLEASE keep the ringer/buzzer
"off" while you are in class. If your beeper or cell
phone is heard while lecture is going on, points will be deducted
(10 points per occurrence) from your final class score and I'll
confiscate your phone for the week!
General Course
Information
This course deals with the historical and comparative bio-anthropology
of humans, looking at humans as members of the animal kingdom,
focusing on the attributes shared with our primate relatives,
and the origins of uniquely human attributes. Using the approaches
of physical anthropology and archaeology, we will trace human
physical and cultural development from its earliest beginning,
more than five million years ago, to about 15,000 years ago, just
before the beginnings of plant and animal domestication and the
rise of complex societies. In particular, physical anthropology
seeks to answer the following questions:
On a more personal note, my goal in teaching this class is to provide you with the intellectual tools and information that will help you appreciate how a knowledge of yourself as a biological organism with a deep evolutionary past is relevant to your own life, whether as a student at Cabrillo today, as a future parent, dotcom CEO, or as a consumer.
WARNING! ANTHR1 fulfills the Natural Science requirements for graduation. Its level of difficulty (in terms of time and energy) is equivalent to other natural science lecture courses (e.g. Chemistry, Zoology or Physics). Like all disciplines, physical anthropology has its own special language, or vocabulary. To succeed in the class you will need to become fairly fluent in the language. To that end, you will need to learn the majority of words listed in the GLOSSARY of the required text (Jurmain et. al. - Introduction to Physical Anthropology). And from time to time, I will introduce additional vocabulary. Although I will define any new terms, you should also look them up in a medical dictionary and/or anthropology dictionary (both are available in the Cabrillo Library's Reference section) or try a search on the Internet.
THE GOOD NEWS! You can pass this class with a minimum of work. By attending class, listening, completing all library, homework, reading and video assignments, doing a decent zoo report, and getting at least a "C" grade on the quizzes / exams you should pass. However, some students consistently complain that this class is far too much work, while other students seem to take this workload in stride as almost half the class consistently receives A's and B's.
ANTHR1, INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY: BIOLOGICAL, fulfills the requirments for the following General Education programs:
Course Organization
The course is divided into three parts. We begin with a survey
of the principles of evolution and biological inheritance, so that we can understand
how human evolution has come about. In the second part of the course we will
take a look at the anatomy and behavior of our nearest relatives, the primates
(especially the chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas), and in so doing we may
find clues to our own behavioral origins. In the third part we will examine
the human fossil and archaeological record, which is made up of the physical
remains of our ancestors and the traces of their behavior. We will look at the
earliest hominids (the australopithecines) as well as trace the evolution of
the genus Homo, with particular emphasis on the origin(s) of modern Homo sapiens.
Course Requirements
/ General Information
You are expected to attend all lectures,
although I will allow two EXCUSED absences over the course of
the semester. They must be for verifiable medical and/or legal
reasons. More than two absences and I reserve the right to reduce
your semester grade one complete level. (NOTE: absences on the
day of exams are not excused).
It is a good idea to take notes because material may be presented in class that is not covered in the textbook and handouts. Should you miss a class, please do NOT come and ask me at the next class meeting if you missed anything important. Rather, contact a class member and ask for copies of her/his notes.
I strongly advise all students taking any of the Biological Anthropology class offerings to ALSO ENROLL in one of the Biological Anthropology Lab (ANTHR1L) sections. The lab sessions permit you to gain hands-on experience with the skeletal material of living primates and replicas of the major fossil materials. In addition, they provide opportunities for carrying out a number of exercises which help clarify readings and lecture topics associated with the lecture classes. You also get the chance to see some nifty videos and interact with a number of guest lecturers.
Respect
Making this class interesting depends on your constructive participation
and respect for one another. This includes arriving on time, not
getting ready to go until the class is over, and listening to
each other. It means joining into discussions, responding to each
other rather than only to me. If you participate thoughtfully
everyone can gain from this class. Roll
will be taken so please
come to class on time. Arriving late is not only disruptive, but
it is also rude.
RESPECT ALSO MEANS
** TURNING OFF CELL PHONES and BEEPERS DURING CLASS **
AND
**Refraining from listening to your IPod**
Evaluation of Student Competency
Your semester grade is based upon the total number of points you accumulate
through exams (300 points possible) and a semester project (100 points possible).
In addition, there will be an opportunity for everyone to earn extra credit
points. To receive a grade of A one must accumulate at least 360 points; for
a B, 320 points; for a C, 280 points; and for a D, 240 points.
Extra credit opportunites include the following:
Also, please know the difference between how the word "theory" is used in popular culture and how it is used in science. Popularly, theory means a mere conjecture, or guess. In science, however, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
Contacting the Instructor: Email is the most reliable way to contact me. If you would like to speak with me in person you should see me during office hours (see above). If you need to talk to me outside office hours call my voice mail (477-5211). Follow the instructions and leave a message with a phone number where I can reach you. I check that voice mail each day Monday through Thursday before 11 a.m. So if you call on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you most likely will get my response on Monday after 11 am. Plan your calls accordingly. I will return your call once. If you are not present or there is no voice mail you will have to call me again.
Attendance: I have this "thing" about punctuality. Arriving late disrupts the class in session and is disrespectful to the other students and me. Therefore, you are expected to be in class on time. Regular attendance and punctuality are important for both your success and that of the class as a whole. As much of the course material will be presented in lecture, attendance is critical. I take attendance (Students are responsible for documenting their presence by signing the attendance sheet) to encourage your exposure to the material available only in class and to encourage your participation and support in class discussions. Whether or not you attend class, you are responsible for material presented in class, what assignments were made, etc., and you will take responsibility for making up missed work. NOTE: I will not reteach class during office hours. You should arrange with someone in the class to share his/her notes with you if you will not be in class. It is not my job to take notes for you.
Making this class interesting depends on your constructive participation and respect for one another. This includes arriving on time, not getting ready to go until the class is over, and listening to each other. It means joining into discussions, responding to each other rather than only to me. If you participate thoughtfully everyone can gain from this class.
Videos and Handouts: You will also be responsible for the information contained in the various videotapes and handouts in this course. Many of the videos belong to the instructor or other faculty members, and are NOT available for viewing in the library if you miss them the first time around. I do not loan out ANY videos. The various films and videos included as part of this course are a vital component of the material under study. They are not included as time fillers or for the purpose of entertainment. You are encouraged to take notes during or after each film, and there will be questions about them on the exams.
Food policy: You are welcome to bring something to drink and/or eat into the classroom, but please, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!
Class Structure: Classroom standards and student conduct for this class follow the Student Code of Conduct outlined in the Cabrillo College Catalog. Should you find it necessary to withdraw from or drop the class, it is your responsibility to fill out the necessary paperwork and submit it to Admissions and Records. See class schedule for withdraw and drop dates.
Student Feedback: Feel free to make suggestions or to offer constructive criticisms during the class. I'm always open to possibilities so long as core learning goals are being met.
Students with Disabilities: Accommodations for this class are made to comply with the American Disabilities Act. So that appropriate arrangements may be made, I would like to hear from anyone who has a disability, including 'invisible' disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disorders, and psychological disabilities, which may require some modification of seating, testing, or other class requirements. Please see me during office hours, or after class, or contact me by email and explain your needs and appropriate accommodations. Please bring a verification of your disability from the Disabled Student Services offices and a counselor or specialist's recommendations for accommodating your needs.
Complaint Procedures: Any student complaints or concerns about this course should first be brought to the attention of the instructor. I will make every effort to resolve the matter to our mutual satisfaction. Should that not happen, the matter may be taken to Nancy Brown, Dean, Human Arts and Sciences Division.
I'm glad you have chosen my class this semester, and I hope it will help you in your quest for academic excellence.
Last Updated: 29 September 2008