INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Physical
Anthropology is the branch of Anthropology (the holistic study of humanity)
that explores the biological aspects of the human form. As such, Physical Anthropology is a
biological science. Physical Anthropology is also a social science and
investigates human biology in the context of human culture and behavior. This course serves as an introduction to the
field of Physical Anthropology, and students will scientifically examine human
adaptations, human variability, and the evolution of humans and their nearest
relatives, living and extinct. The
topics to which students will be exposed include human evolution, genetics,
human diversity and adaptability, primatology (the
study of behavior of non-human primates), and paleoanthropology
(the study of primate and human fossils).
In conjunction with the lecture portion of the course students attend the weekly two-hour laboratory session. In the lab students gain hands-on experience investigating genetics, human variability, primatology, osteology, human and primate paleontology, and forensic anthropology. The lab assignments complement material covered in lectures, providing students with an opportunity for understanding the subject matter, concepts, and principles through observation, demonstration, and problem solving.
This course satisfies the General Education lab science course and is offered every semester. An approximate schedule of topics is listed below.
|
Week |
Topics |
|
1 |
Introduction What is Anthropology? |
|
|
The Four Fields of Anthropology Video Clip from Maasai
Women |
|
2 |
The Development of Evolutionary Theory Video Clip of Evolution: |
|
|
The Blind Watchmaker: Natural Selection Video: Evolution: What About God? |
|
3 |
The Biological Basis of Life |
|
|
Principles of Inheritance Video: Genetics |
|
4 |
The Modern Evolutionary Synthesis Population Genetics and the Causes of Evolution Video Clip of Evolution: |
|
|
Bio-Cultural Evolution and Human Polymorphisms |
|
5 |
Human Diversity and Race Video: Evolution and Human Equality |
|
|
Human Adaptability Video Clip of Evolution: |
|
6 |
Human Growth - Part I |
|
|
Human Growth - Part II Video Clip of Evolution: Why Sex? |
|
7 |
Lecture Exam
I |
|
|
Biological Classification and Taxonomy Video: The Missing
Link |
|
8 |
Evolutionary Record Video clip of Evolution: Extinction! |
|
|
Primatology:
Introduction Video: Jane Goodall's Wild
Chimpanzees |
|
9 |
The Living Primates |
|
|
Primate Behavior |
|
10 |
Primate Models for Human Evolution Video: Monkey in the Mirror |
|
|
Primate Evolution |
|
11 |
Paleoanthropology |
|
|
Lecture Exam
II |
|
12 |
Earliest Hominids - Part I |
|
|
Earliest Hominids - Part II |
|
13 |
Video: The Story of Lucy |
|
|
Homo Erectus |
|
14 |
Neanderthals and Archaic Homo Sapiens Video: Neandertal on Trial |
|
|
Modern Homo Sapiens Video: Evolution: The Mind's Big Bang |
|
15 |
Lessons from the Past, Lessons for the Future |
|
16 |
Final Exam |
|
|