Relethford's Syllabus

Course Overview

• This course is an introductory survey of biological anthropology, the study of human biological variation and evolution, past and present. This course deals with variation in human populations, our place in nature, and human evolution.
• The format of this course is primarily lecture, supplemented with slides and film clips. Questions are encouraged—don’t be afraid to ask a question in class. Lectures will be used to summarize main points from the readings and to provide additional and updated material.
• I do not always lecture on exactly the same specific topics as in the readings. For much of the material, I assume you can learn it on your own. While much key material will be covered in both lecture and readings, there will be material on each exam that is covered in class but not in the readings, and material that is covered in the readings but not in the lectures.

Attendance Policy

• Attendance is vital to ensure a good grade. I do not take attendance—it is your responsibility to come to class. If you miss a class you are still responsible for the material that was covered. Keep in mind that the exams will include material covered in class that is not in the readings. Every semester, a number of students lose points because they did not attend class—don’t let that happen to you!

Required Texts

• The texts for the course are:

Relethford JH (2000) The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology, 4^th edition. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

Park MA (1998) Biological Anthropology: An Introductory Reader. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company.

• The primary text (Relethford) contains material that will be included on each exam. The reader (Park) is for supplemental interest and for extra-credit questions on each exam (see below).
• Since my lectures assume that you have completed the required readings, it is critical that you stay up to date in your reading assignments.

Grading

• Your final grade is based on three multiple-choice examinations. The exams are not cumulative. Each exam consists of 50 questions, each worth 2 points.
• Your final grade will be determined as follows: your highest exam grade counts for 50 percent of your final grade and each of your other two exams counts for 25 percent of your final grade. For example, imagine that your three exam grades are 74, 92, and 80. Your final course grade would then be computed as (74+92+92+80)/4 = 85 = B.
• Make-up exams will be given only under the most extenuating circumstances. Exam dates cannot be changed.
• Exams will cover material from both lectures and the primary text (Relethford). All material covered in class could be on an exam unless otherwise indicated. I will distribute study sheets separately that list the material from my textbook that will be required on the exams.
• There are no extra-credit assignments, although there are extra-credit questions on the exams. Each exam will include five extra-credit questions based on readings from the Park reader. Each extra-credit question is worth 2 points. There is no study sheet for the reader.

Course Schedule and Assigned Readings

• The following table provides the topics and reading assignments for each class meeting throughout the semester as well as the exam dates. Please pay careful attention to the reading assignments so you can stay up to date and avoid trying to cram in all of the information right before the exam.

 

		Readings
Week	Topic	(R=Relethford, P=Park)
	Part 1: Evolution and Diversity in Human Populations
1	The study of biological anthropology	R: Chapter 1 P: Articles 1–4, 11, 12
2	Human genetics	R: Chapter 2 P: Article 7
3	Principles of microevolution	R: Chapter 3 P: Articles 13, 14
4	The study of human variation	R: Chapter 4 P: Articles 29, 30
5	Human microevolution	R: Chapter 5 P: Articles 28, 31
6	Human adaptation	R: Chapter 6
	EXAM # 1
	Part 2: Our Place in Nature
7	Primates in nature	R: Chapter 7
8	The biology and behavior of the living primates	R: Chapter 8 P: Articles 17–20
9	The human species	R: Chapter 9 P: Articles 21, 35
10	Macroevolution and the fossil record	R: Chapter 10 P: Articles 5, 15, 16
11	Primate origins and evolution	R: Chapter 11
	EXAM # 2
	Part 3: Human Evolution
12	Human origins	R: Chapter 12 P: Articles 6, 22
13	The evolution of the genus Homo	R: Chapter 13 P: Articles 23, 24, 26
14	The origin of modern humans	R: Chapter 14 P: Articles 25, 33, 34
15	The evolution of human health and disease	R: Chapter 15 P: Articles 27, 32, 36, 37
16	The demographic evolution of human populations	R: Chapter 16
	EXAM # 3

 

Suggested Study Methods

• While everyone has their own methods for studying, I have a few suggestions that you may find useful in preparing for the exams.
• First: Do the assigned readings on time. You will be better able to follow the lectures.
• Second: Before each exam, review the assigned readings from the Relethford text by going through the study sheets. Be sure you can answer them. You will find it useful to write out your answers.
• Third: Review your lecture notes and make sure that you understand them. Focus first on the most general information and make sure you understand it before reviewing information that is more detailed. If you find it useful, prepare a list of what you consider the most basic points and show it to me for comments and suggestions.
• Fourth: Go back through the readings from the Park reader, making sure you can know the main point(s) of each article. If you know this material, you can earn extra points on each exam. Remember: the readings from the Park reader are for the extra-credit questions.
• Fifth: Make a list of everything you have questions about and come to see me or e-mail me for clarification.

Note: All material is subject to change.

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