1
Anthropology 1300
Human Evolution
Distance Learning, Summer
6 week session
Instructor: Meredith Small
Email:
I check email several times a day during summer session so feel free to contact me.
You must have computer access at all times for this course. It is an online course, which means you do the work and exams online. If your are traveling or working somewhere new, please make sure you have good wifi and that your computer is in good working order.
Course Description: The evolution of humankind is explored through the studies of the biological differences among current human populations, the humanfossil record, and a comparison with our closest relatives the nonhuman primates. This course investigates the roots of human biology and behavior with an evolutionary framework.
Each week I will unlock the required lectures, readings, and external links On Sunday at 9 a.m.. You will view lectures in Powerpoint which are slides with my voice explaining concepts. You will do the required readings and also view external links which are videos, newspaper articles, current events, and other extras. Feel free to send links that might interest the class and I’ll post them.
Requirements:
1) There are three exams for this course. They occur every two weeks and follow the course, which is split into three sections—human variation and evolution, the fossil record, and nonhuman primates. The last prelim is not cumulative. Each prelim counts for 30 points of your grade (90 points total).
PRELIMS WILL ARRIVE BY EMAIL ON FRIDAY AND ARE ALSO DUE BY SUNDAY AT NOON
2) You will also be required to choose ONE discussion question based on the readings from the list for each week and answer it in ONE DOUBLE SPACED PAGE.Each discussion answer is worth 10 point (60 points total).
Grades for the weekly Discussion Question will be based on the following :
1. A clear and concise statement of the idea, argument, thesis or point to which the discussion question refers. 4 points
2. Support your answer with evidence from the specific readings. 4 points
3. Writing style including organization, grammar, and clear style. 2 points.
Please note that in this type of academic or scientific writing your opinion is not appropriate. You are answering a specific question about the work of others.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ARE DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
Your grade in the course is based on a total of 150 points.
Readings:
You will be reading chapters online from the following books:
The Beak of the Finch, Jonathan Weiner
Mapping Human History, Steve Olson
The First Human, Ann Gibbon
Catching Fire, Richard Wrangham
Our Inner Ape, Frans de Waal
and selections from Natural History magazine on primate behavior.
Discussion Questions and Handouts
Discussion questions and handouts areposted Blackboard
Weekly Schedule:
Week 1:
What is a human and how has our species evolved? What is unique or not unique about humans? What is the place of humans among other primates?
Reading – Beak of the Finch
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON SUNDAY AT END OF WEEK, BY NOON
Week 2:
Our Bodies, Ourselves. A look at the human skeleton, our genetic make-up, and how we adapted to various climates across the globe.
Reading–Mapping Human History
PRELIM #1 EMAILED ON FRIDAY AND DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
Week 3:
Our fossil heritage including ancient primates, the Australopithecines, and the beginning of our genus
Reading –TheFirst Human
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
Week 4:
What makes humans human — big brains, walking on two feet, and culture. We also populate the world
Reading – Catching Fire
PRELIM #2 EMAILED ON FRIDAY AND DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
Week 5:
The anthropology of nonhuman primates and why monkeys and apes matter when thinking about human behavior.
Reading-Selections from Natural History Magazine
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
Week 6:
Mating and social systems among primates. What do these animal have to tell us about being human?
Reading- Our Inner Ape
PRELIM #3 EMAILED ON FRIDAY AND DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
DISCUSSION QUESTION DUE ON SUNDAY BY NOON
It is Cornell policy to provide reasonable accommodations to students who have a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, or systemic) that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services and their instructors for a confidential discussion of their individual need for academic accommodations. Student Disability Services is located in 420 CCC. Staff can be reached by calling 607-254-4545.