11/21/2024 6:44:17 AM	ANTHRO 1 Course Outline as of Spring 2022	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ANTHRO 1	Title:  BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Full Title:  Biological Anthropology
Last Reviewed:4/25/2022

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

The study of human evolution and humans as organisms, with an emphasis on a biocultural approach. This is an introductory, broad survey course that covers the history and modern synthesis of evolutionary theory; studies primate behavior and comparative anatomy; examines dating techniques and the fossil record; and critically assesses past and future human/environmental relationships including issues concerning future adaptation.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

The study of human evolution and humans as organisms, with an emphasis on a biocultural approach. This is an introductory, broad survey course that covers the history and modern synthesis of evolutionary theory; studies primate behavior and comparative anatomy; examines dating techniques and the fossil record; and critically assesses past and future human/environmental relationships including issues concerning future adaptation.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	C H	Natural Sciences Global Perspective and Environmental Literacy
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B2	Life Science		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5B	Biological Sciences		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: ANTH 110	Introduction to Biological Anthropology	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ANTH1

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.   Discuss the fundamental concepts of evolutionary theory, including the various mechanisms of evolution, including natural selection, genetic mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and emerging studies of epi-genetic influences.

2.   Apply anthropological vocabulary and concepts to evaluate alternate phylogenies of ancient primates within a framework of evolutionary theory.  

3.   Analyze contemporary issues of primate evolution and survival; human health and medicine; human impacts on environments and future primate adaptation.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

1.  Demonstrate knowledge of the terms, concepts and research methodologies used in the study of human evolution and diversity.

2.  Discuss the developmental history of evolutionary theory, including the ability to convey basic knowledge of the principles of human genetics at the cellular and molecular level of DNA structure and replication.   

3.  Identify the major forces of evolution.

4.  Compare different classification systems, and describe humankind within the contemporary primate order (e.g., classic taxonomy, cladistics, phylogeny).

5.  Describe the adaptive relationships of primates with their environmental world (e.g., anatomy, social behavior, subsistence, culture), including the ability to discuss the issues surrounding the survival of non-human primates today.

6.  Demonstrate a basic knowledge of fossil specimens relied upon to construct the various phylogenies offered for primate ancestry, with particular emphasis on the debates of hominin ancestry.   

7.  Recognize and discuss the environmental relationships (climate, geography, and other environmental determinants) of biological and adaptive mechanisms in ancestral populations that gave rise to archaic and modern human diversity.

8.  Assess the ways in which cultural aspects of the human species intersect with biological evolutionary processes that may impact our potential evolutionary trajectories.

9.  Evaluate the ways in which humans have impacted the natural environment and how that impact now challenges the future survival of humankind.

Topics and Scope

I.      Introduction to Anthropology as a scientific discipline and to the methods of scientific inquiry

II.     The development of modern evolutionary theory

III.    Natural Selection and other forces of evolution such as mutation, genetic drift, gene flow as mechanisms that may give rise to speciation

IV.   The structure of DNA as heritable material, including principles of replication and reproduction at the cellular and molecular levels

V.    Modern populations, human diversity

VI.   Bioethics and genetic innovation

VII.   Primate taxonomy and skeletal anatomy

VIII.  The social behavior of non-human primates and the environmental challenges they face today

IX.    Geologic time scales and chronometric dating techniques to assess deep time.

X.    Early primate evolution:  The first primates

XI.   Early hominid forms in Africa and the origins of culture(s) as an environmental adaptive mechanism

XII.  Names, dates, cranial capacities, and morphological and genetic changes in the human fossil records over time

XIII.  Evolution and expansion of Homo erectus from Africa into Asia and Europe

         A.  The continuing evolution of Lower Paleolithic culture as an adaptation to expanding environments.

         B.  Impact of hominids on early megafauna

XIV. Evolution and expansion of Homo sapiens in Africa, Asia, and Europe

         A.  The Neanderthals and other archaic forms

         B.  Middle Paleolithic cultures maximizing global environmental niches

XV.  Origin and expansion of anatomically modern Homo sapiens through Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas

         A.  Upper Paleolithic cultures maximizing global environmental niches

         B.  Impact of hominids on contemporary environments

XVI. The relationship among human biology, culture, and the spread of disease

XVII. Summary of global environmental impact of the human species and challenges for the survival of human beings in the twenty-first century

Assignments:

1.  For homework, students will read and study assignments in textbooks for each class meeting, approximately 10-30 pages per week.

2.  Students will write one or more papers, ranging from 750 - 1500 words each, on assigned topics, including book and article response papers, and critical-thought essays.

3.  Students will complete 2-4 exams during the semester, which can include multiple choice questions, true/false, completion, map identification, and short answer and essay questions.

4.  Optional assignments may include assigned map tests, other types of homework, attendance, and in-class participation.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 30 - 40%
Written homework, book responses, and reaction papers
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 55 - 70%
Multiple choice, true/false, completion, short answer, map tests
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 5%
Attendance and in-class participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Core Concepts in Biological Anthropology.  Fuentes, Agustin:  McGraw Hill, Boston:  2007 (Classic)

Our Origins:  Discovering Physical Anthropology.  Larsen, Clark.  W.W. Norton & Company:  2015

Transformations: Readings in Evolution, Hominins, and the Environment, Sixth Edition.   Smith, Dianne and Slovak, Nicole (Ed).  Hayden-McNeil Publishing Inc., Plymouth:  2008 (Classic)

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