3/10/2026 4:11:35 PM	ANTH C1001 Course Outline as of Fall 2027	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ANTH C1001	Title:  INTRO BIOLOGICAL ANTHRO
Full Title:  Biological Anthropology
Last Reviewed:3/9/2026

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:  ANTH 1

Catalog Description:

In this course, students examine human origins, evolution, and variation with a focus on the adaptations of humans and other primates. Biological evolution and scientific methods are foundations for the course.

 

Additionally, this course critically assesses the impact that the intersection of human culture and the forces of evolutionary change have on human evolution.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A), or eligibility for EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10), or equivalent; or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students examine human origins, evolution, and variation with a focus on the adaptations of humans and other primates. Biological evolution and scientific methods are foundations for the course.

 

Additionally, this course critically assesses the impact that the intersection of human culture and the forces of evolutionary change have on human evolution.

 

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A), or eligibility for EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10), or equivalent; or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 2025	Inactive:
Area:	C H L5	Natural Sciences Global Perspective and Environmental Literacy Physical and Biological Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B2	Life Science		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5B	Biological Sciences		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: ANTH 110	Introduction to Biological Anthropology	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ANTHC1001

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 the scientific method and evolutionary theory, including the various mechanisms of evolutionary change, genetic inheritance, and human cell biology.

2. Apply anthropological vocabulary and concepts to evaluate contemporary primate biology and behavior.

3. Identify key biological and behavioral adaptations among fossil hominin species in human evolution.

4. Describe human variation through time and across space in biocultural terms.

 

Objectives:

Statewide Required Objectives/Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to interpret data to arrive at reasoned conclusions.

2. Identify the principles of human inheritance, molecular biology, genetics, and evolutionary processes from the perspective of biological anthropology.

3. Identify the biological and cultural factors responsible for human variation.

4. Identify and compare primate and hominin species in terms of their osteological, morphological, and/or behavioral adaptations.

 

Expanded and Additional Local Objectives/Outcomes:

 

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

1. Convey basic knowledge of human genetics and the functions of DNA.

2. Identify the major forces of evolution.

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

4. Describe primate anatomy, social behavior, and culture in adaptative terms.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of primate evolution, with particular emphasis on hominin evolution, including the identification of important hominin species and adaptations.

6. Demonstrate that race is not a valid biological concept and explain human variation in clinal terms.

7. Assess the ways in which the intersection of human and biological evolutionary processes impacts human evolution and the natural environment.

Topics and Scope

Statewide Required Topics:

1. The nature of scientific inquiry and the scientific method

2. The anthropological perspective

3. Development of biological evolutionary thought

4. Molecular, Mendelian, and population genetics

5. Mechanisms/forces of evolution

6. Comparative primate taxonomy, anatomy, and behavioral ecology

7. The fossil record, geologic time, and dating methods

8. The fossil, archaeological, and genetic evidence of human evolution

9. Biocultural adaptations and modern human variation

10. Understanding ancestry, racism, and the invalidity of biological race in humans

 

Expanded and Additional Local Topics:

I. Epigenetics

II. Bioethics and Genetics

III. Human Skeletal Anatomy

IV. aDNA

V. Bioarchaeology

VI. Early Primate Evolution: The First Primates

VII. The Relationship Among Human Biology, Culture, and the Spread of Disease

VIII. Summary of Global Environmental Impact of the Human Species and Challenges for the Survival of Human Beings in the Twenty-first Century

Assignments:

1. Reading assignments (approximately 10-30 pages per week) from textbook

2. Writing Assignment(s) (for a total of 1250-1500 words), which may include:

    a. Reaction papers

     b. Research topics

    c. Summary and response papers

    d. Critical-thought essays

3. Exams (2-4) which may include:

    a. Multiple choice questions

    b. True/false

    c. Map identification

    d. Short answers

    e. Essay questions

4. Quizzes

5. Additional assignments as determined by instructor may include:

    a. Map quizzes

    b. Other types of homework

    c. Attendance

    d. In-class participation

    e. Book responses

 

 

Statewide Required Methods of Evaluation:

 

Examples of potential methods of evaluation used to observe or measure students' achievement of course outcomes and objectives could include, but are not limited to: assignments, quizzes, exams, projects, and academic writing. Methods of evaluation are at the discretion of local faculty.

Expanded and Additional Local Methods of Evaluation: See table below.

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 assignments
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%
Exams, quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Additional assignments (if assigned)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Statewide Representative Textbooks: Textbook choice is the discretion of faculty.

 

Shook, B., Braff, L., Nelson, K., & Aguilera, K. (Eds.). (2023). Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology. 2nd ed.: LibreTexts / American Anthropological Association. CC BY NC (OER).

Boyd, R., & Silk, J. (2023). How Humans Evolved. 10th ed.: Norton.

Fuentes, A. (2019). Biological Anthropology: Concepts and Connections. 3rd ed.: McGrawHill.

Larsen, Clark S. (2025). Essentials of Biological Anthropology. 6th ed.: Norton.

 

Additional Local Representative Textbook:

 

Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology. 6th Edition. Larsen, Clark. W.W. Norton & Company. 2025. (classic).

Print PDF