COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES: This course provides an introduction to the current scientific consensus about human biological and cultural evolution with an emphasis on the interaction of social behavior and biological change. The course begins with a review of the scientific method and the nature of anthropology, then presents evolutionary theory and the underlying genetic principles with an emphasis on how these play out in the sociocultural context of humans in different social settings. This section finishes with a brief description of the evolutionary record of life on earth. The second section of the course explores human variation from the perspective of biocultural adaptation and ongoing evolution in living populations. We address the inadequacies and inconsistencies of the concept of race as a means of understanding human biological and behavioral variability. The third section of the course covers the diversity and social behavior of the non-human primates as part of the larger evolutionary context in which modern human anatomy and behavior must be understood. Finally, the fossil and archaeological record of human beings is considered to complete the introduction to the anatomical and behavioral evolution of humans. The objective of the course is to give the student an appreciation for the place of humans in nature from a biocultural and evolutionary perspective, and to provide the background necessary to critically evaluate statements about human biology and human behavior.
GRADING POLICY: The course grade will be based on performance on exams plus attendance/participation plus web assignments. The class grade will be earned as follows:
Item |
Percent of Grade |
Exam 1 |
33⅓% |
Exam 2 |
33⅓% |
Participation |
33⅓% |
Exams: There will be two exams of equal weight or value. Each exam will consist of a mix of objective questions (multiple guess) and short answer/essay questions based on the reading material from the assigned texts, material presented in class, and our lab exercises. Frequently material covered in class will not be duplicated in the book and vice versa. It is essential to study both the readings and the class notes to do well on the exams.
Participation: Participation is equivalent to one exam. It consists of two parts: attendance and exercises.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken each class. Attendance is worth 2 points for each class, for a maximum score of 50 (four absences allowed). You will receive credit for attendance only if you are present from the beginning of class (that means in your seat at 9:30, not 9:31 or 9:32) to the time the class is dismissed. No partial attendance credit will be awarded so you will receive either 2 or 0 points for each class meeting.
Exercises: Each student will be required to do the exercises in the workbook before our lab class days, and be prepared to come in and discuss this work. Scores for this part of the class will be awarded as follows: turn in completed assignment at the start of class = 3 points (fewer points awarded for incomplete work, down to 0), and 2 points for participating in the discussion of the exercises, for a total of 50 points (5 points each for 10 lab classes = 50 points).
MAKE-UP EXAMS: A student may be excused from taking an exam when scheduled in class IF AND ONLY IF: 1) the student has a WRITTEN excuse from a doctor, minister, coach, or other similar authority, AND 2) the student lets me know PRIOR TO THE EXAM that he/she will be absent. If a student misses a test without making prior arrangements, the student will be assigned a grade of 0 (F) for that exam. A student may take the second exam ONLY during the final exam period scheduled for our class. Any request for an excused absence from the second exam will have to be approved by the Director of Student Services for Arts and Sciences--in other words, plan to be here on the morning of December 11! If a student is approved for missing the second exam by the college, the make up will take place on the scheduled date for make-ups of final exams.
PHONE NUMBER: If a student needs to contact me for any reason about class matters, the Anthropology Department phone number is 348-5947. I can also be reached by e-mail at: jbindon@tenhoor.as.ua.edu.
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment—if you need to see me, tell me after class, or e-mail me and we’ll find a time that is convenient for both of us. You’re also welcome to drop into my office anytime you see me there. I promise not to bite and the worst I could do would be to ask you to come back if I’m too busy.
STATEMENT ON DISABILITY: If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 354-5175 or visit Osband Hall to register for services.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information, misrepresentations, and abetting of any of the above. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct occurs. Students should refer to the Student Affairs Handbook, which can be obtained in the Office of Student Life and Services in the Ferguson Center.