Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Curriculum guideline

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Course
ANTH 1111
Discontinued
No
Course code
ANTH 1111
Descriptive
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Department
Anthropology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
202420
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture 4 hrs. per week/semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

Course content will be conveyed through lectures.  Extensive use will be made of human skeletal elements and casts of fossil hominid discoveries at relevant points in the class presentations.  Videos and slides will also be used to present course material.

Course description
This course surveys the scope, goals, and major discoveries of physical anthropology, dealing particularly with human biological evolution, the hominin fossil record, and present physical diversity.
Course content
  1. Introduction to Anthropology and Physical Anthropology
  2. The Development of Evolutionary Theory           
  3. The Biological Basis of Life and Heredity and Evolution
  4. Introduction to Primatology: The Living Primates and Primate Behaviour
  5. Macroevolution and the Fossil Primates
  6. Human Osteology.     
  7. Early Fossil Hominins of the Plio-Pleistocene
  8. Homo Erectus
  9. Homo Sapiens– Neanderthal and Modern
  10. Contemporary Human Physical Adaptability and Variation
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Discuss scope and goals of physical anthropology, and its place within and contributions to the broader discipline of anthropology.
  2. Discuss the major subfields of physical anthropology and the research techniques employed by each.
  3. Outline the major theories of biological evolution, from Darwin and Mendel to the modern synthesis.
  4. Identify major skeletal elements of the human body.
  5. Discuss the importance of studies of our closest relatives, the non-human primates, to the understanding of human biology and evolution.
  6. Discuss the hominid fossil record:  how it is formed, major discoveries and interpretations, and the limitations inherent in the data.
  7. Assess the major techniques of dating fossil discoveries and their limitations.
  8. Discuss modern human physical diversity and theories on the adaptive value of such inherited traits.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific criteria during the first week of classes.

An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be: 

Exams (3 x 25% each)  75%
Quizzes (2 x 5% each)   10%
Short Paper (on a specific aspect of interpreting the fossil record)  10%
Attendance and Participation    5%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

Texts will be updated periodically. A typical example would be:

  • Jurmain, R., H. Nelson, Kilgore, L. & Trevathan, W.  (2011). Essentials of Physical Anthropology (8 ed.). Wadsworth.

Which prerequisite

ANTH 2210 and ANTH 2212