ASSIGNED READINGS
Through a Window, by Jane Goodall
Lucy and the Origins of Humankind, by Donald Johanson
Origins Reconsidered, by Richard Leakey
The Harmless People, by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
Selected essays by various authors (details TBA)
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
• To illuminate the issues, evidence and problem-solving strategies that define the study of human evolution, so that you can interpret and evaluate future scientific discoveries and debates about our origins.
• To develop a more sophisticated understanding of the interplay between scientific evidence, theory, cultural biases, and the motives and creative visions of individual investigators--in short, to understand science as a human activity.
• To cultivate more informed thinking about the age-old questions of human nature and human destiny.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
• Quizzes, 35% There will be seven short-answer quizzes over the material presented in readings, lectures and videos since the last quiz. The intent of these quizzes is to encourage careful reading and listening, as well as keeping up with the detailed factual evidence and arguments as we go along. It’s important not to get behind.
• Phylogeny Exercise, 12% In this computer-based mid-term assignment, you will manipulate computer images to create a phylogeny, or family tree, of early hominids.
• “Discovery” essay, 28% This key assignment, due in last half of the term, will invite you to “discover" an imaginary fossil find, interpret its relation to other fossils discussed in the course, and offer informed speculations about its behavior and social life. While mastery of the “factual” information is important, this assignment is above all a test of your ability to reason creatively and convincingly from the evidence.
• “Human Nature” final essay, 15% As with the “Discovery” essay, this will be a test of your ability to apply anthropological evidence in a clear and reasoned argument—in this case, the interpretation of what human origins studies can (or can’t) tell us about our nature and destiny as a species.
• Participation,10% The course will employ an interactive lecture format, with provision for questions and discussion. Your presence and thoughtful participation in class will count for this portion of the course grade.