Course Title: Physical Anthropology Lab

Los Angeles Valley College

Term: Fall 2016

Course Code: ANTHRO 111
Section: 1477

Course Unit Value: 1.00

Course Instructor: Amanda Keating

Course Meetings: Fridays9:00-10:00; 10:00-12:05, AHS 143

Office Hours: Fridays8:30-9:00;12:05-12:20, AHS 142

Instructor Email:

Student Learning Outcomes:

A hands-on laboratory experience in selected topics related to human evolution that

may include: molecular, Mendelian, and population genetics; modern human variation;

geological time and fossilization; comparative primate anatomy; modern primate

behavior; human fossil record; and forensic analysis.

Hands-on lab experiences related to human evolution including fossils, genetics, biological variation, primates and forensic analysis. Students will be able to: Analyze behavioral and observational data with the Scientific Method to understand human and non-human primate biology and evolution.Demonstrate and apply knowledge of skeletal anatomy to primate, hominin, and modern human evolution.

This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to engage with Physical Anthropology in a meaningful and practical way. Throughout the semester students will apply their skills and knowledge gained from lecture to in-class practice labs, and to external research. Subject matter is divided into units and each unit requires student participation in research. At the conclusion of this course, students will turn in their completed research project thereby demonstrating their holistic knowledge of the subject matter and individual academic growth.

This is a laboratory course in Physical Anthropology designed primarily for non-science majors. A half-day field trip is required.

Both the practice labs and readings are designed to help students connect lecture materials to their own lives; students are encouraged to keep their readings in hand as they are required to cite key texts in their final projects.

Students are required to have a copy of the required lab manual from LAVC.

Students are required to participate in a half-day field trip.

Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

Grading Information

This course is an opportunity to conduct unique, collaborative research. The class as a whole will choose a biological human trait to research and study in the field. The bulk of this semester’s work will revolve around this major research project – groups of students will be required to compose a lab paper and to present their research findings to class.

In addition to the major research project, students are expected to engage in class labs, debates and discussions, to complete a some anthropological readings, pass quizzes and pass a final exam. Students who do not complete all of these activities should not expect an “A” grade in the class.

Students must complete their ethnographic paper/presentation in order to pass the course; students must take the final exam in order to be eligible for an “A” grade.

An “Incomplete” grade is reserved for the rare occasion when students with excellent attendance and work completion miss only the final exam or ethnographic paper/presentation.

Any student that stops attending class is responsible for dropping or withdrawing herself or himself from class; this is not the instructor’s responsibility.

Students will be graded on a percentage of successfully completed assignments. Be sure to keep copies of all of your work until final grades are posted. All assignments must be submitted via Canvas, nothing will be accepted on paper.

A – 90-100%

B – 80-89%

C – 70-79%

D – 60-69%

F – Below 60%

An “I” or “Incomplete” grade is reserved for the rare situation where a student has submitted all coursework except their final exam or final project.

Students are expected to engage in class debates and discussions, to complete a variety of labs, produce a major project, participate in review games and pass a final exam. Students who do not complete all of these activities should not expect an “A” grade in the class.

Expectations

Students are expected to produce thoughtful work that incorporates lecture materials, class discussions, and independent research. Students will ultimately be graded on the quality of the content of their work, but work with a multitude of grammatical or spelling errors will need to be corrected in order to receive full credit. Late work may only be accepted for partial credit.

Be prepared to engage in class discussions in a respectful and thoughtful manner. Any student who fails to speak to either classmates or instructor in a respectful manner will be asked to leave class; this situation will result in a loss of points at the instructor’s discretion.

Late Work and Extra Credit

Late work and extra credit work may be accepted at the instructor’s discretion. If an extra credit opportunity is assigned for one student or if late work is accepted for one student then the opportunity will be made available for the class as a whole. However, late work and extra credit work must exceed expectations in order to receive full points. Because these opportunities will be made under special circumstances, students should prepare work that goes above and beyond the basic requirements (or else no points will be awarded).

Quality of Work

Online Participation

Students are required to participate in class via Canvas and Remind. Lack of participation will result in a loss of participation points.

Students will cell phones should text @coc103 to “81010” to participate via Remind.

Many readings and worksheets will be made available on Canvas. Students are expected to print out these readings and worksheets independently in advance of class.

Some quizzes will take place online on Canvas, please be aware of this before these quizzes are due!

For a full explanation on student conduct, please visit:

Course Objectives

Use knowledge of scientific methods and hypothesis testing to analyze scientific arguments and appraise their validity
Analyze primate and hominin anatomy and behavior from an evolutionary perspective, with an emphasis on the role of natural selection
Describe and analyze genetic data using the concepts of Mendelian and population genetics
Identify, analyze, compare, and contrast the bones of the skeletal system and patterns of behavior of living and fossil primates, including hominin species and modern humans from different parts of the world
Assess the significance of anatomical changes and their relationship to behavioral changes over the course of hominin evolutionary history

Course Schedule

The course schedule will be posted and update on Canvas throughout the course.

Accommodation / Access

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.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available! Call (818) 947-2412. Go to the Financial Aid Office in the Student Services Center, first floor. For more info:

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of Los Angeles Valley College are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health Centerat Campus Center Building Room 108. The phone number is 818-947-2918.

Also, the National Suicide Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255. All students at LAVC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cell phones. You can it call when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism

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 academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using ‘crib’ sheets, etc.) will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Dean of Student Services for further disciplinary action, following due process. For further information on plagiarism, visit:

Cheating on an exam or any other assignment is illegal and will not be tolerated. No memory aids of any kind may be used during exams. You may not use books, notes, note cards, PDAs, cell phones, text messaging, iPods, or any other memory aids during the exams. Electronic devices of any kind may not be used during class. Any student who is suspected of cheating by the Instructor will have their exam confiscated, receive an "F" grade (score of zero) for the exam, and will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. Plagiarism, an unlawful act that is defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas, concepts, or words of another as one's own, will not be tolerated in courses. Plagiarism on any exam or assignment will result in an "F" grade (score of zero) for that particular exam/assignment; the student will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action.

Special Needs Students

The Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) offers educational support services for students with a variety of disabilities. Please contact DSP&S staff in SECO 103 at (661)-362-3341 on the Valencia Campus and in QUAD 1 at Canyon Country Students at 661-476-3813 for information regarding this program. Students with verifiable disabilities who do not wish to avail themselves of DSP&S services may still be eligible for reasonable accommodation and service. Contact the Vice-President of Student Services for information at661-259-7800, Extension 3292 for information and please notify the instructor of any special accommodations you might require during this course (e.g., special exam sittings) not later than the first class session.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Any students absent for any reason for more than 10% of the class meetings may be dropped by the instructor prior to 75% of the course. After 75% of the course, the instructor, nor the student, may withdrawal from the course. See 2014-2015 College of the Canyons College Catalog, page 19 for more details.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore) or by clicking on . The phone number is 661-362-3259.

Also, the National Suicide Hotline number is 1-800-273-8255. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can it call when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.