Anthropology1:IntroductiontoBiologicalAnthropology

DistanceEducation
SaddlebackCollege
Fall2015
Ticket#23205
ThiscoursemeetsonlinefromOctober12December16,2015viaourcoursewebsite:
https://socccd.blackboard.com/webapps/login/
INSTRUCTOR:
MeredithDorner
Email:mdorner@ivc.edu
OfficeHours:Ialwaysavailablebyemailoronlinebyappointment
EMAIL:Asthisisanonlinecoursemostofourcommunicationwilltakeplaceontheclassdiscussion
boardorthroughemail.DONOTEMAILMETHROUGHBLACKBOARD!Eachstudentmustusehis
orherSaddlebackemailforallcommunicationwithmeforthedurationoftheclassandemailmeatthe
addresslistedabove(mdorner@ivc.edu).Whenemailingmepleaseputthecoursetitleandcourse
ticketnumberinthesubjectareaandmakesureyouincludeyournameinyouremailmessage.Idonot
replytostudentemailspromptlyiftheticketnumberisnotinthesubjectarea.Ireplytotimesensitive
issuesassoonaspossiblewhileotheremailswillbeansweredwithin4872hours.
COURSEDESCRIPTIONANDOBJECTIVES:Thiscourseexploreswhatitmeanstobehuman
throughstudyofmodernhumanvariationandgenetics,thebehaviorandevolutionofdifferentspecies
ofprimates,andtheevolutionofthehumanspecies.Bytheendofthiscourseyoushouldbefamiliar
withtheprocessesofevolution,thebasicsofgenetics,thecharacteristicsofthedifferentgroupsof
primates,andcurrenttheoriesabouttheevolutionofdifferenthominidspecies.Theprimarygoalofthis
courseistointroducestudentstothefundamentalconceptsofbiologicalanthropology,focusingon
understandingmodernhumanvariationandtheevolutionofHomosapiens.Furthergoalsaretoimprove
studentsoral,written,andcriticalthinkingskills,throughclassdiscussions,individualpresentations,
andwritingassignments.
STUDENTLEARNINGOUTCOMES:Uponsuccessfulcompletionofthiscourse,studentswillbe
ableto:
1. Discussevolutionarytheory,bothbeforeandafterCharlesDarwin,andhowitrelatestohuman
originsandbehavior.
2. Explainthedifferencesbetweenscienceandfaith.
3. Describethefourforces,orbiologicalmechanisms,ofevolutionarychangeincludingmutation,
geneflow,geneticdrift,andnaturalselection.
4. Explaintheoriginandevolutionofprimates.
5. Distinguishbetweenthedifferentprimatetaxonomicgroupings.
6. Compareandcontrastthebehavioralpatternsfoundinthedifferentprimatetaxonomicgroups.
7. Usekeyfossilstodemonstratehumanevolution,particularlyasitrelatestoanatomicalchanges
associatedwithbipedalism,changesinthesizeandstructureofthebrain,andthedevelopment
ofculture.
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8. Discusstheoriesofhumanoriginsusingcurrentfossilandgeneticevidence.
9. Describesomeoftheadaptivereasonsforhumanphysicalvariation.
10. Articulateananthropologicalperspectiveonbiologicalancestryandrace.
REQUIREDREADINGS:ExploringBiologicalAnthropology:TheEssentials,2010,byStanford,
AllenandAnton.Ifyoudonthavethetextbook,therewillbeacopyonreviewintheSaddleback
library.*Therewillalsobelinkstootherreadingsthroughoutthecoursethatyouwillberequiredto
readbuttheywillbepostedonline.
ONLINECOURSEGUIDLEINES:I expect that you will be online a minimum of five days a week,
however, I suggest that you check in daily. You are responsible for checking announcements and
e-mail (your Saddleback e-mail via Mysite), getting course assignments, participating on the
discussion board, watching the weekly lectures (please make sure you watch the weekly lectures
as assessments are based on these as well as the required readings), reading assigned readings,
turning in the paper assignment, and taking online exams according to the set deadlines. You
should anticipate devoting on average six (6) hours per week to this course (this is the average for
any semester length course). In order to be successful in the course you must have access to a
computer with a modem, internet, and e- mail capability. Weekly lecture videos may require
Windows Media Player and/or Real Player for viewing. Real Player can be downloaded for free. It
is important that each student have basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and how to navigate the
web. Your computer should have at least 32 megabytes or RAM (64 is optimal), a 2GB hard rive
(4GB is optimal), and a modem that is 33.6 BPS or faster. A broadband or DSL connection is
recommended.

NOTE:Ifyouarenolongerparticipatingintheclassitisyourresponsibilitytodroporwithdraw
yourselffromthecourse.Itisnotmyresponsibilitytodropstudentswhoarenolongerparticipatingin
theclass.
Blackboard:TheBlackboardsystemisourvirtualclassroom.Thesystemincludessuchfeaturesas:
classannouncements,email,discussionboard(ourclassdiscussionforum),lectures,linkstoadditional
readings,studyguides,exams,assignments,linkstouploadpaperassignments,andgrades.Inorderto
logintoourclasswebsiteyouwillneedyourBlackboardusernameandpassword.Yourusernameis
yourSaddlebackCollegeemailaddressgiventoyouatregistration(firstinitialofyourfirstnameand
yourlastnameplusanumber;DONOTincludedthe@saddleback.edu)andyourpasswordiseither
yourpinnumberplustwozerosorthelastfourdigitsofyoursocialsecuritynumberplustwozeros.

TechnicalDifficulties:
Ifyouareexperiencingdifficultieswiththewebsitethatextendbeyondafewhours(thewebsitecould
bedowntemporarily),andyouareresponsibleforsubmittingandassignment,takinganexam,etc.you
mustimmediatelycontactme.Questionsregardingnavigatingthewebsiteusuallycanbefoundby
readingtheBlackboardinstructionsfoundthroughthecampuswebsite:
http://saddleback.edusupportcenter.com
ForBlackboardorMysiteloginproblemsreadthefollowingageandcontacttheappropriateperson:
http://saddleback.edu/de/help1.html
Otherresourcesinclude:
On-Campus:
John McCotter
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949-582-HELP (4357)
https://www.saddleback.edu/oe/studenttechnicalsupport
Being able to access a computer capable of using Blackboard is a technical requirement for this course.
In the case you have a problem, you may use those on campus.
ComputerLabInformation:
https://www.saddleback.edu/studentresources/computerlabscampus

SaddlebackCollegeDistanceEducationWebsite:
Agoodsourceofinformationforonlinestudents:http://www.saddleback.edu/de/
COMMUNICATION:Inanyonlinecourse,itiscrucialtoyoursuccessthattherebeconstant
communicationbetweenstudentsaswellaseachstudentwiththeinstructor.Thereisastudentquestion
forumforweeklyquestions(itis,andwillremain,thefirstforumonthediscussionboard).This
questionforumisforyoutoposttheirspecificquestionsregardingthecourseorassignments.I,aswell
asfellowstudents,canrespondtothesequestions.Youshouldcheckthisquestionforumonaweekly
basisandbeforepostingaquestionchecktomakesurewhetheryourquestionhasalreadybeenposted.
*Note:questionsspecifictoyourgradeorprogressinthecoursearenotappropriateforthisforum,
pleaseemailmewithsuchquestions.Besuretocontactmeviaemailwithanyconcernsorquestions.
OnlineEtiquette:Itisessentialthatallclassmembersbepoliteandrespectfulatalltimes.When
postingonthediscussionboard,respondingtootherstudentspostings,andthroughoutwritten
assignmentscourtesyandrespectmustbemaintained.Offensivelanguage,disrespectfulposts,and
attackingothersorothersviewswillnotbetolerated.Ifastudentisfoundtobedisrespectfuland/or
providinganegativelearningenvironmentforothersheorshewillreceiveawarningorimmediately
droppedfromthecourseaccordingtotheinstructorsdiscretion.
PleasegotothefollowingwebsitesforinformationonNetiquette:
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Class/che326ff/discussion_board/etiquette.pdf
COURSEREQUIREMENTS
1.OnlineDiscussionParticipation:Asstudents,youareallrequiredtoparticipateinweekly
discussionsessions.Therewillbethreadsforeachweekregardingthelectureandlinkassignments.
Questionswillbeprovidedthatmustbeansweredandyouarerequiredtorespondtoyourfellow
studentsentries.Discussionentrieswillbetrackedforgradingpurposes.Twopostsminimumare
requiredperdiscussionboard.Youcaneitherstartathreadbasedonthepromptquestionsandthen
respondtoanotherstudentlaterintheweekORbothofyourpostscanbemeaningfulresponsetoother
studentsposts.PostsaredueonSundayat11:59pmofeachweek(i.e.thestartofthefollowingweek).
MakesureyoudontpostbothofyourcontributionsonSundayeveningasyoumaylosepoints.Please
seeRubricforonlinediscussionsanduseitasaguidelineforcreatingahighqualitypost.
Participationinthediscussionboardsisrequired.Wecanalllearnfromthebeliefs,opinions,and
experiencesthateachofusbringstothisclass.However,Ireservetherighttotakeoverandredirecta
discussionthatisbecomingtooheatedorpersonalaswellasbantheindividualfromposting.
Pleasenotethatyouhaveenrolledinacollegecourse,thereforeyourworkshouldbeatthislevel.
Writingwellisanecessaryskillinalmosteverycareeranditisinyourbestintereststomasterthisskill
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earlyon.Therefore,taketimetoedityourdiscussionentriesbeforesubmittingthem.Youwillbegraded
oncontent,spellingandpunctuation.
DiscussionBoardTips:
1.Chooseyourwordscarefullyandbesuretoreviewyourmessagesbeforeposting.
2.Capitallettersisconsideredshouting.Thinkofotherwaystoemphasizeapoint.
3.Usesmileyfacesandotheremoticonstoexpressyourself.
*Anyimagesorlinksyouwouldliketoincludewithyourdiscussionentrythatmaybequestionable,in
termsofcontent,shouldbepreapprovedbyme.Ifyouarenotcertainwhatthismeansbesuretoask
BEFOREsubmittingwithyourdiscussionentry.
2.Exams:Therewillbethreetimedonlineexams,eachcoveringonethirdofthecourse.Examswillbe
comprisedprimarilyofmultiplechoicequestions.Examsareopenbook/opennoteshoweverallanswers
mustbeinyourownwords.AnyevidenceofplagiarismfromthebookorthenoteswillresultinanF
fortheexam.Also,keepinmindthatyouwillneedtostudyfortheexamaheadoftimesincetherewill
notbeenoughtimetolookupeveryanswerontheexam.

NOMAKEUPEXAMSWILLBEPERMITTED:AstheinstructorIamundernoobligationtogive
makeupexaminations.Intheeventofamedicalemergency,youmustprovidewrittenprooffroma
physicianormedicalpractitioner.Inthecaseofavoidabletechnicalproblems,amakeupwillnotbe
given..Inthecaseofavoidabletechnicalproblems,amakeupwillnotbegiven,especiallyifyouwait
untilthatlastfewhoursthattheexamisopentotaketheexam.However,ifitisatechnicalissuethatis
addressedinatimelymanner(nolaterthan5hoursbeforetheexamcloses)duetoBlackboard,Iwill
provideamakeupopportunity.Inthiscase,youwillneedtoemailmeimmediatelywiththedetailsof
whathappened.Iwillthendecideifamakeupexamisappropriate.Forgettingtotakeanexamisnot
avalidreasontoallowamakeup,neitherisvacationorothertrip.Therefore,markyourcalendars
wellinadvancesothatyouwillnotmissthetimeframe.Pleasereadtheduedatescarefully
forgettingornotknowingisnotanacceptableexcuse.

BesureNOTtouseawirelesscomputerwhentakingyourexamasyoumaybedroppedfromtheexam.
Ifyouaredropped,letmeknowASAPandthoroughlyexplainwhattookplacebeforeyouwere
dropped,Iwilldeterminewhetheryouwillbeallowedtoretaketheexambasedonyourexplanation.

3.PrimateProject:Students will be expected to complete a primate observation

assignment and written analysis and submit it by the due date listed in this
syllabus. The instructions for the assignment can be found in the document
entitled Primate Research Assignment. If you cant visit a zoo, you must let me
know no later than 2 weeks before the assignment is due to arrange for an
alternative research paper assignment.
OTHERCLASSPOLICIES
AcademicDishonesty:Plagiarismandcheatingconstituteviolationsofacademichonestywhether
perpetratedactivelyorpassively.Allviolationsandsuspectedviolationsofacademichonestywillresult
inactiontakenagainstthepartiesinvolved,andwillbedocumentedinwritingwiththeDean.Sanctions
mayincludenocreditontheassignmentinquestion,coursefailure,orformalchargesofstudent
misconduct.Formalchargescanresultinacademicprobation,suspension,orexpulsion.
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***ALLOFYOURWORKMUSTBEINYOUROWNWORDS!
Drops:Studentswhodonotlogonwithinthefirst7daysmaybedroppedfromthecourse.Pleasebe
suretocontactmeifyouareunabletoaccessthecoursesiteforanyextendedperiodoftimeanddonot
wanttobedropped.Alwayscontactmeifyouneedhelp,butdonotrelyonmetodropyoufromthe
course.YoumustdothisviaMySite.
TipsforAvoidingTechnologyIssues:ToensurethattherearenoTECHNICALDIFFICULTIESwhile
takingtheonlineexamsyouwillneedtocloseallOTHERBROWSERS,blockallPOPUPS,andDO
NOTclickonRefreshortheBackbuttonasthiscancausethewebsiteandtheexamtofreezeup
andkickyououtofthesystem.Inthisinstanceitwillshowthatyouhavecompletedtheexamandany
questionsyouhavenotansweredorsavedwillbemarkedincorrect.Pleasemakesureyouclickon
submitonceyouhavecompletedtheexam(ifyouonlychosesavetheexamisnotsubmittedtome).
Makeupexamswillnotbeallowedforsuchavoidabletechnicaldifficulties.Also,makesureyour
internetconnectionisnotmovingslowerthanusualbeforeyoutaketheexamasthiscouldcauseyour
examtonotbeprocesseduponsubmittingit.Makesureyoudonotwaituntilthelastminutetotakethe
examastechnicaldifficultieswillnotbeconsideredifitiswithinthelastthreehoursallottedto
completetheexam.ItisbestifyouhavedownloadedFirefox(gotofirefox.com)onyourcomputer
andusethisasyourbrowsertoaccessthewebsite.NotethatVistaisnotcompatiblewithBlackboard
andcausesconsiderableproblemswhentakingonlineexams.Theseissuescanalsoeffectwhatyousee
inthediscussionboard,sodobesuretodownloadFirefox.
Astudentwithaverifieddisabilitymaybeentitledtoappropriateacademicaccommodations.
Documentation is done through the Office of Special Services in the Student
Services Center, Room 113; 582- 4885. Please contact me via phone or e-mail if
you need to discuss any particular issues.
GRADINGPOLICIES:
Exams(3):15%each
PrimateResearchproject:20%
DiscussionBoard:35%
A:10090%,
B:8980%,
C:7970%,
D:6960%,
F:59%andbelow
Finalgradeswillbeassignedusingtheabovepercentagescale.

SCHEDULEOFLECTURETOPICSANDREADINGS
Pleasenotethatthefollowingscheduleistentativeandsubjecttochange.Changeswillbeannouncedon
Blackboard.Itisthestudentsresponsibilitytokeepupwithanychangestothesyllabus.
*Additionalreadingsandvideosmaybepostedandshouldberead/watchedinduringtheweekinwhich
theyareposted.Iwillalsoannounceextracreditopportunitiesthroughoutthesemester.
Week
DueDate(Sunday)
Topics
Readingchapter(s)
1
10/18
Introduction,Thescientificmethod, 1,2,partsof3and
Briefhistoryofevolutionary
4(thatcorrespond
thought,Naturalselection,
tothelecture
Mendeliangenetics,Thecell,
videos)
Proteinsynthesis
2
10/25
Celldivision,Mutation,Human
3,4,6,5,14
geneticsandbiology,Modern
humanvariation,Theforcesof
evolution
3
11/1
EXAM1dueSunday11/1at
11:59pm(coversthematerial 7
ofweeks1and2)
Introductiontoprimates,Primate
groups(coveredonExam2)
4
11/8
Primatesocialbehavior,The
8
evolutionofbehavior,Primate
cognition
5
11/15
Phylogenetics,
5
6
9,10,14
11/22
EXAM2dueSunday11/22at
11:59pm(coversthematerial
ofweeks45)
Followingmaterialonexam3:
Primateevolution,
Comparativeanatomy&
Datingtechniques,Hominid
origins,Early&Gracile
australopithecines,Robust
australopithecines
7
11/29
PrimatePaperdueSunday11/29 10,11,12
at11:59pm
Homohabilis,Homoerectus,Early
archaicHomosapiens,Neandertals
8
12/6
AnatomicallymodernH.sapiens, 12,13,15
Bioculturalevolution
9
12/13
EXAM3dueWEDNESDAY
12/16at11:59pm(coversthe
materialofweeks69)

DiscussionRubric:Iwillusethefollowingrubrictoassessyourdiscussionpostings.
0-30%

o
o
o
o
o
o

40%-60%

o
o
o
70%-100%

o
o
o
o

No contribution to overall class learning

Too long/rambling/unorganized thoughts
Lack of respectful consideration of classmates opinions
Grammar and spelling errors detract from expression of
thought
Incomplete response
Postings clustered all on one day
Appropriate, basic postings with at least 2 postings
(note: appropriate replies to classmates go beyond
social comments such as good idea or I agree)
Includes all information asked for
Postings spread throughout the week
Spelling and grammar do not detract from meaning of
post
Postings contributes to overall learning and knowledge
of the class. May include links to additional resources
on the topic
Replies expand upon classmates contributions
Succinct and to the point, yet complete
2 or more posting spread throughout the week without
overpowering the topic
Main post covers all requirements noted in the
discussion board prompt