Biological Anthropology

Anthropology 351 Fall 2010

MW 2:30-3:45; 131 Brackett Hall

Dr. Katherine Weisensee 11 or by appointment

Office: 139 Brackett Hall
Phone: 656-4210
Email: kweisen@clemson.edu
Office hours: MW 1-2:30, TTH 10-

COURSE OVERVIEW:
This course provides an introduction to biological anthropology,
including: genetics and evolutionary theory, biology and behavior of
non-human primates, human evolution, and modern human variation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

 Apply evolutionary theory to evaluate changes in human
populations, from cellular through species levels.
 Construct primate taxonomies and infer relationships among extinct
and extant non-human primates.
 Interpret hominid fossil record in order to assess the evolution of
humans over the past 6 million years.
 Apply physical anthropology methodology to modern human
populations, including forensic and bioarchaeological applications.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Essentials of Physical Anthropology: Discovering Our Origins. 2010. CS
Larsen. W.W. Norton & Company.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

To be successful in this class, you are expected to have readings
completed for the date assigned and be prepared to discuss them in
class. Grading will be based on the following breakdown:

In-class Labs: = 40 pts.

Writing Assignments = 60 pts.
Exam 1: = 100 pts.
Exam 2: = 100 pts.
Exam 3: = 100 pts.
Total: = 420 pts.

400-360 pts. = A; 359-320 pts. = B; 358-280 pts. = C; 279-240 pts. =

D; <240 = F

We will engage in frequent in-class lab activities and discussions and it

will be necessary for you to arrive having read and thought about the
readings. No makeup in-class assignments will be given—if you
are late or absent for class you will receive 0 points.

The three exams will cover material from lectures, readings, videos,
and class discussions. The three exams will each cover one-third of the
course. The first two will be during the course of the semester and the
third will be given during the final exam period. None of the exams are
cumulative. The exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer
questions and will be worth 100 points each.

Makeup exams will be given only in the case of a documented medical

emergency or with prior notice if you must attend a university-
sponsored event (proper documentation still required). Email me as
soon as possible before the exam if you must miss an exam. You will
take the exam as soon as possible at a time convenient for both of us.

In accordance with university policy, your grades are available to you

at any time. Any grade challenges must be presented in writing with
detailed justifications within three days of receiving the grade.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:
This is a college-level course and an attentive, responsive class will
create a positive class atmosphere. Please be respectful of me and
students around you. This includes: not using your laptop for anything
other than taking notes, reading anything not assigned for the course,
sleeping, disrupting class verbally or physically, text messaging, and
rude conduct towards other class members or the professor. Please
arrive on time and stay for the entire class period. Please turn all cell
phones off.

If you find yourself falling behind in school for personal or academic

reasons, please see me rather than simply stop attending class. If I
know there is a problem, I can direct you to the proper resources.
Students who wish to drop this class must follow appropriate university
procedures to do so. Please do not simply stop attending.

This course presents the commonly-held anthropological perspectives

on topics within Anthropology, not the professor’s personal opinions.
Feel free to consult the textbook at any time for verification. However,
please note that anthropological ideas may differ considerably from
your pre-existing opinions about the world and our place in it.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Regular attendance is necessary for academic success in this course;
therefore students are expected to attend all classes and take detailed
notes. Your grade requires that you not only attend class but also
actively participate in discussions and activities. A student who misses
too many classes may be administratively withdrawn. If you miss a
lecture, you must get notes from a classmate. Please do not ask me
or the TA for notes. Be on time for exams or it may affect your
grade.

Please wait at least fifteen minutes should the TA or I to be late for

class.

If class should be cancelled for any reason (e.g., inclement weather),

readings/assignments/exams for BOTH the missed day(s) AND the
current day
will be due on the day that classes resume. Please note that classes
will be
cancelled only with official university announcements.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities who need accommodations should make an
appointment with Arlene Stewart, Director of Student Disability
Services, to discuss specific needs within the first month of classes.
Students should present a Faculty Accommodation Letter from Student
Disabilities Services when they meet with instructors. Student
Disability Services is located in G-20 Redfern. Please be aware that
accommodations are not retroactive and new Faculty Accommodation
Letters must be presented each semester.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM:

The Undergraduate Announcements state:

“As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited

Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of this institution as a ‘high seminary
of learning.’ Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to
trustfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn
the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize that
academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson degree.
Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any
form.”

All work turned in on tests and papers must be your own. Academic
dishonesty in any form is not tolerated, and violators will be punished
with the maximum penalties. Any material taken word-for-word from
any source must be put in quotes and the source information must be
provided completely. Work from other students, the internet, or any
paper-writing service may not be used under any circumstances.
Plagiarism is stealing. When in doubt, provide citation information.
 SCHEDULE
Date Topic Reading
Aug 18 Introduction / Syllabus Ch. 1
Aug 23 Evolution: Constructing a Fundamental Scientific Theory Ch. 2
Aug 25 Evolution: Constructing a Fundamental Scientific Theory Ch. 2
Aug 30 Genetics: Reproducing Life and Producing Variation Ch. 3
Sept 1 Genes and Their Evolution: Population Genetics Ch. 4
Sept 6 Genes and Their Evolution: Population Genetics –Lab Lab
Sept 8 Biology in the Present: Living People Ch. 5
Sept 13 Biology in the Present: Living People Writing Assignment #1 Due
Sept 15 Exam 1 Exam 1
Sept 20 Biology in the Present: The Other Living Primates Ch. 6
Sept 22 Biology in the Present: The Other Living Primates Ch. 6
Sept 27 Primate film
Sept 29 Primate Lab Lab
Oct 4 Primate Behavior Ch. 6
Oct 6 Primate Behavior Writing Assignment #2 Due
Oct 11 Fossils and Their Place in Time and Nature Ch. 7
Oct 13 Primate Origins and Evolution Ch. 8
Oct 18 Exam 2 Exam 2
Oct 20 Early Hominid Origins and Evolution Ch. 9
Oct 25 Early Hominid Origins and Evolution Writing Assignment #3 Due
Oct 27 The Origins and Evolution of Early Homo Ch. 10
Nov 1 Fall Break Fall Break
Nov 3 Early Hominid Lab Lab
Nov 8 The Origins, Evolution, and Dispersal of Modern People Ch. 11
Nov 10 Neandertal film
Nov 15 The Origins, Evolution, and Dispersal of Modern People Ch. 11
Nov 17 Late Hominid Lab Lab
Our Last 10,000 years: Agriculture, Population, and
Nov 22 Ch. 12
Biology
Nov 24 Thanksgiving Thanksgiving
Our Last 10,000 years: Agriculture, Population, and
Nov 29 Writing Assignment #4 Due
Biology
Dec 1 Forensic Anthropology
Dec 7 Final Exam Thursday, December 10; 3-5:30 pm Exam 3