Anthropology 1 41540 Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Online
Semester: Fall 2014
Instructor: Thomas Kies, Ph.D.
Email tkies@peralta.edu, Phone: 981-2934
Office Hours (Rm 559): Mon/Wed [ (9/18-10/13) 9:30-10:30] and [(10/13-12/12) 1:302:30], Tuesday/Thurs 2-3, Friday by appointment.
ANTH 1 Course Description:
In this course we focus on the study of human beings and their ancestors; with emphasis
on relationships to other mammals, physical record of evolution and processes
responsible for evolution. AA/AS area 1; CSU area B2, B3; IGETC area 5B, 5C.
Objectives:
Successful students will demonstrate the ability to:
1) Examine the process of organic evolution drawing on examples from human evolution.
2) Compare Humans with primate relatives
3) Analyze hominin fossils as they shed light on human origins and evolution.
Required Course Textbooks:
Clark Spencer Larsen. Essentials of Physical Anthropology (2nd edition). W.W. Norton
Publishing.
*Additional course materials will be available through our course Moodle website.
Success in Online Classes
This is an online course and requires your online participation within a community of
learners. There are many benefits to online classes as a result of the flexibility that they
offer. For instance you can contribute to a class discussion at your convenience whether it
is 2 oclock in the morning or 3:30 in the afternoon. While it is flexible, this class is NOT
a correspondence course! Instead of just working through the chapters at your own pace
(for instance being able to complete the entire course in the first month of the semester),
this course is similar to more traditional courses in that each week we will go through
the assignments as a group before moving on to the next unit the following week.
Many students have the idea that an online course section is easier than one that meets
physically in a classroom. This is a misconception and one that I wish to correct from the
start. Determination to complete this class is essential for success.
Probably the most important factor that will ensure your success in this class will be your
ability to be self-motivated. It is easy to have things in life take precedent over your
internet course (e.g., jobs, kids, families, etc.). But stay determined and active. The

semester will go by very quickly! Do NOT let a week go by without being active in the
course as you will quickly find your standing in the class in jeopardy.
I want you ALL to successfully pass the class. Though I wish this for you, I cant ensure
your success in the class. The drive to complete the course must come from inside each of
you. Thus, after reading through the syllabus, course objectives, and demands I ask you
to make a commitment to your fellow students and to your instructor to make it through
the course. Are you ready to take on the challenge?
Expectations
1) Be preparedhave a working computer that you know how to use and be familiar
with the software (have a back up plan just in case your personal computer or internet
fails).
2) Check in log into the course on the first day or two of class, but definitely no later
than the first week. Do the basic things you would be doing in a traditional class - read
syllabus, look at assignments and due dates, look at the course calendar, and email an
introduction to the class.
3) Stay actively involved in the course check into the class on a regular basis (at least 3
times during the week).
4) Know and follow the rules for the course do not make excuses for why you missed
deadlines or didn't do the assignment right. I expect that you put the time into each
assignment so that you are proud of the work that you are turning in.
5) Professionalism be professional in all dealings with faculty and other students - all
communication should be respectful and courteous. This is very important as many of
the topics we will be discussing will be involving sensitive issues.
6) Don't wait to ask for help get help right away if you are having difficulty.
Course Structure
The basic course structure will consist of weekly units or modules that will have a variety
of tasks that you are going to need to complete. Each of the module assignments will be
due before Sunday at midnight.
Some of our modules will also require you to participate in online discussion boards. In
the case of discussion boards, many will require you to upload by an original response by
Thursday and also to provide responses to other student comments before the following
Sunday. Instructions will be clearly noted in the weekly News and Views post, where
you can always check the assignments that are due for that week. As a general rule of
thumb through, make sure that you have all of your responsibilities taken care of prior to
each Sunday.

Graded assignments will be returned in a timely fashion and you will receive
feedback/grades usually on or before Wednesday evening of the week when your
assignments are due. Longer assignments may take longer to receive comments.
Do not expect instant responses from me, either when contacting by email or phone. I
will try to respond as quickly as possible. You can usually expect a response from me
within 12-36 hours during the week. Over the weekends I am often out of town but will
respond as soon as I am able.
Your final grade will be composed of the following components:
1) Participation and Discussions (20%).
2) Quizzes (30%)
3) Three Exams (50%)
1) Participation and discussions (20%)
I expect you to check in at least three times a week to stay connected with the course.
Berkeley City College e-courses require your participation in, involvement with, and
contribution to online discussion forums. Think of yourself as belonging to a community
of learners and be active in collaborating, formulating, and defining this community. All
class members must contribute at least one substantive original entry to each discussion
blog. What do I mean by substantive? I agree is not substantive! Instead I am looking
for well thought out responses that are at least multiple paragraphs in length. Content is a
key component so I will also require that in all posts that you reference at least one
specific aspect from the weeks content. Discussions will also require you to provide
responses to other students original posts.
NOTE: BLOG ASSIGNMENTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OTHER ASSIGNMENTS IN
THAT YOU MUST POST YOUR BLOG ENTRY(IES) ON OR BEFORE THURSDAY OF
THAT WEEK. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO START A CONVERSATION WITH EACH
OTHER AND DISCUSS DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE VARIOUS TOPICS FOR
THE LAST HALF OF THE WEEK. REMEMBER WE ARE CREATING AN ONLINE
COMMUNITY! WE MUST RESPECT ONE ANOTHER AND OUR VIEWS. ANY, AND I
MEAN ANY, DEROGATORY COMMENTS OR HATE SPEECH WILL SERIOUSLY BRING
INTO QUESTION YOUR SUCCESSFULLY FINISHING THE COURSE. ANTHROPOLOGY
IS FOUNDED ON RESPECT AND THAT IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR ONLINE
COMMUNITY!

2) Quizzes(30%)
There will be three quizzes and additional assignments during the semester will test
student understanding of course materials. Format will vary. See specific quiz
instructions in your weekly announcements.
3) Exams (50%)
Exams for the online section will be timed and offered online. These are closed book
examinations and you may not use your books or notes.
Grading:

Your letter grade in the class will be assigned according to the following:
+90 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
59 or lower F
Note: Average performance=75%. All late work, defined as after the deadline when the
assignment/paper was due, will result in a drop of your grade for that assignment by one
whole grade increment. Your grade will reduce by a grade increment for each additional
day that you are late. Make up tests are only allowed with previous permission of the
instructor for substantiated reasons. No exceptions are allowed to this rule.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Berkeley City College considers the preservation of academic honesty and integrity an essential
priority. Academic dishonesty is defined as: Acts of academic dishonesty, including but not
limited to cheating, plagiarism, falsifying research data or results, or assisting others to do the
same. ANY FORM OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THIS
COURSE AND MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
1. CHEATING - Obtaining or providing unauthorized information during an examination,
academic test, or exercise through verbal, visual or unauthorized use of materials, information,
notes, study aids, books, or other devices; obtaining or providing information concerning all or
part of an examination, academic test or exercise prior to that examination, academic test or
exercise; engaging or attempting to engage the assistance of another individual in misrepresenting
the academic performance of a student; altering or changing test answers after submittal for
grading, grades after grades have been awarded, or other academic records once these have been
made official; submitting theses, reports, speeches, drawings, laboratory notes or other academic
work in whole or part for two separate classes without the permission of both professors.
2. PLAGIARISM - Presenting the work or an idea of another as one's own (i.e., without proper
acknowledgement of the source) and submitting examinations, theses, reports, speeches,
drawings, laboratory notes or other academic work in whole or part as one's own when such work
has been prepared by another person, or copied from another person.
3.COMPLICITY IN ACADEMIC DISHONESTY - Helping or attempting to help another student
to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Disability Accommodations:
Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free
accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Berkeley City
College. For assistance, contact BCCs Disability Students Program and Services
Department (DSPS) at 981-2812. For more information visit their website at
http://www.berkeleycitycollege.edu/wp/pssd/
Class Schedule and Assignments:
Week #1 August 18th-August 24th

Introduction Read Syllabus

Discussion#1a Who are you? Quick posting about yourself
Read Larsen Chapter 1 What is Physical Anthropology
Review Powerpoint Physical Anthropology Primer
Week #2 August 25th-August 31st
Read Larsen Chapter 2 Evolution: Constructing a Fundamental Scientific Theory
View Darwins Dangerous IdeaRunning Time 22 minutes.
(Part I and Part II),
View Mendel Clip
Discussion #2 History of Science
Week #3 September 2nd-September 7th
Read Larsen Chapter 3 Genetics: Reproducing Life and Producing Variation
Review Genetics 101
Watch Our Molecular Selves Clip
Review Mitosis/Meiosis, Biological Basis of Life Handouts
DNA Protein Synthesis Rap
Quiz #1
Week #4 September 8th-September 14th
Read Larsen Chapter 4 Genes and their Evolution: Population Genetics
Watch DNA the Secrets of Life Part I (running time about 1 hour)
Review Mendel and Pop Genetics ppt
Review Population Genetics Primer part I & II
Discussion #3 Genetics
Week #5 September 15th-September 21st
Read Larsen Chapter 5 Biology in the Present Living People
Review Race Powerpoint
Watch The Difference Between Us Parts 1 and 2
Discussion #4 Race and Human Variation
Week #6 September 24th-Sptember 28th
Exam #1
Week #7 September 29th-October 5th
Read Larsen Chapter 6 Biology in the Present: The Other Living Primates
Read Notes from the Field
Review Primates Introduction Ppt
Review Endangered Species Report
Discussion #5 Adopt a Primate
Week #8 October 6th-October 12th
Read Larsen Chapter 7 Primate Sociality, Social Behavior, and Culture
Watch Jane Goodall Clip/Being Jane Goodall Article

Chimp Mother Clip

Review Primate behavior ppt
Quiz #2
Week #9 October 13th-October 19th
Watch Ape Genius Film (45 minutes)
Watch Koko the Talking Gorilla 1978 documentary
Watch Kanzi clips
Discussion #6 Film Discussion
Week #10 October 20th-October 26th
Read Larsen Chapter 8 Fossils and their Place in Time and Nature
Read What is it like to be a paleontologist
Review Paleoanthropology Powerpoint
Review Arch a Primer Powerpoint
Discussion #7 Archaeology
Week #11 October 27th-November 2nd
Read Larsen Chapter 9 Primate Origins and Evolution The First 50 Million
Review for exam
Week #12 November 5th-November 9th
Exam #2
Week #13 November 10th-November 16th
Read Larsen Chapter 10 Early Hominid Origins and Evolution: The Roots of
Humanity.
Watch Lucys Legacy (1 hour)
Watch Bipedalism Clip
Discussion #8
Week #14 November 17th-23rd
Read Larsen Chapter 11 The Origins and Evolution of Early Homo
Review Paleolithic Powerpoint
Review erectus ppt
Watch Eugene Dubois clip (13 minutes)
Oldowan versus Acheulean Tools
Kanzi Tool Making
Stone Toolmaking
Taphonomy in action
Quiz #3 Human Evolution
Week #15 November 24th-November 30th
Watch Decoding Neanderthals (1 hour)

Week #16 December 1st-December 7th

Read Larsen Chapter 12 The Origins and Evolution of Early Homo
Read Larsen Chapter 13 Our Last 10,000 Years: Agriculture, Population, Biology
Watch The Minds Big Bang
Discussion #9 Humanness
Week #17 Dec 7th-December 10th
Final Exam (Note: The final exam will be due Wednesday finals week before
11:59:59 pm)