Anthropology 168W

Introduction to Biological Anthropology

COURSE OUTLINE

Michael A. Little
Science 1, Rm. 102
MWF 8:30-9:30 AM, S2-144
MW 2:00-3:00 PM & by appt
mlittle@binghamton.edu

Required Reading:

(R) Relethford, J.H. 2002. The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology, 5th Edition. Mayfield, Mountain View, California.

(P) Park, M.A. 2002. Biological Anthropology: An Introductory Reader, 3rd edition. Mayfield, Mountain View, California.

Course Objectives and Requirements:

The principal objectives of the course are to develop an understanding of (1) evolutionary theory and evolutionary process in past and present human populations, (2) the biobehavioral variations found in our species today, and (3) patterns of adaptation to the environment as a principal source of the variation found in human populations throughout the world. The key concepts/perspectives with which we will deal during the semester are: Evolution, Selection, Adaptation, Population, Ecology and the Environment, Variation and Variability, Culture, Society, and Biobehavior.

The course grade will be based on (1) two examinations, and (2) a comprehensive final examination (30% + 30% + 40%). Materials for examinations will be drawn from your assigned readings, lectures, discussions, and films/videos. Classes will be lecture format, but in-class questions and discussions are encouraged. This can liven up a dull class, so do not hesitate to ask questions or to challenge any point raised in the class. This class is an open forum to discuss anything that bears even remotely on human evolution.

Notes on Learning and Examination Preparation:

There is more information in the text by John Relethford than any other source, so this should be your primary resource. Relethford teaches at the SUNY College at Oneonta and is a highly respected scientist in the field of biological anthropology, and I may be able to pusuade him to come into Binghamton to give you a lecture. His special areas of expertise are population genetics and demography. Lectures will amplify, interpret, and clarify this information base, as well as enlarging the scope of the text and updating information. If you fall behind in your reading, the lectures will have less significance and may be confusing. My lectures are based on the assumption that the reading assignments have been read, or at least, "looked over," before the lecture. Please read all assignments before class meetings! If this practice is followed, then a few hours review before an examination should be adequate for high marks. Make frequent reference to the Glossary and Appendices, also. Most of the important terms that you should know are in the Glossary. Relethford has set up a web page for the text and has linked it with all sorts of information relevant to the course. Feel free to access this web page. The web address is:

http://www.oneonta.edu/~anthro/anth130/index.html

It can be accessed also through the Binghamton University web page via the library, anthropology, biological anthropology pathway.

The Introductory Reader book edited by Michael Park is a collection of articles from popular and semi-popular magazines (Discover, Natural History, Scientific American, etc.) and other sources which were written for a non-specialist audience. These readings will be integrated with regular course materials (lectures and text) and should be read when assigned. You may wish to take notes on the articles to assist in their incorporation with the text materials.

There will be a few films/videos shown in class from time to time. These films provide somewhat more graphic illustrations than lectures, and they are an integral part of your course materials. Whenever possible we will have some discussion associated with each film/video, and you are expected to incorporate this information into your course notes. Please remember, if you miss a film, there will be no opportunity to retrieve the information (other than notes from your classmates).

Topical Outline:

Evolution: Macroevolution; Process; Dating; Taxonomy; Species; Phylogeny.

FIRST EXAMINATION

Primates & Early Hominids -
Australopithecines; Homo habilis.