Linfield College
Spring 2007
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Ant 105: Human Biology and Evolution

Instructor: Roxi Wolfe
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Primary Email: rowolfe@linfield.edu
Secondary Email: wolfero@onid.orst.edu

Course Description
Welcome to my new web-based course Ant 105:  Human Biology and Evolution. As a student in an electronic classroom, you will need the necessary computer equipment, links, a functioning internet browser, an email account, and skills to perform basic computer and internet-related operations. The course material, which includes the course textbooks, lecture notes, and web-based practice exercises, introduces students to the principles of human biology and evolution, dealing with the genetics, physiology, and behavior of humans and other primates.  This will be a study of the relationships between biology and culture.  This will be accomplished through the emphasis on the theory of evolution, its application to humans, and recent discoveries in the field of human prehistory. This will provide you with an understanding of our evolutionary past and ways in which our behavior shapes our evolutionary future.

The topic of evolution has become an electrically charged subject within the area of religion and education.  Much of the animosity of the topic can be attributed to a lack of education and understanding of the topic.  This course will not address the ‘truthfulness’ of evolution, but give information that has been gathered and researched throughout time.  This is not a course for only those who ‘believe’ in evolution.  I have had conservative/religious students take this course as well as the liberal/self-proclaimed atheist.  It is through the learning medium of this online class that personalities of all kinds can come together and learn about the Theory of Evolution.  I just ask there be a level of respect during all online conversations and writings.  I will respect all opinions and I expect each student to respect others.    

Course Goals/Outcomes

1. Introduction to physical (biological) anthropology and archeology as scientific areas of inquiry.
2. Basic understanding of evolutionary and archeological theories and methods.
3. Understanding of technological change throughout human evolutionary history.
4. Basic knowledge of archeological research techniques and interpretive paradigms.
5. Understand the application of the theory of evolution as a science into everyday life.

 
Ant 105:  Human Biology and Evolution uses web-based lectures, interactive activities, practice quizzes, journal articles, online discussion, and other learning techniques to emphasize critical thinking related to the origins and evolution of the human species and human society.

Please remember that a web-based course is different from traditional classroom-based courses in many ways, especially in the way you will receive course content and communicate with the instructor. Your course content, practice exercises, quizzes, exams, writing assignments, and grades will be available online and you will be able to communicate with me via email or Blackboard.

Course Rules

• Consistent work is central to succeeding in this course. I want to caution you about how easy and disastrous falling behind in your work can be. When you work by yourself it is easy to put off or be distracted from the class. In my experience, the vast majority of students that fall behind never get caught up. There is simply so much work involved. Please be aware of this and try to complete your weekly readings and practice exercises in a timely manner.
• Communication with the instructor is fundamental to the success in the course. Please do not hesitate to communicate with me via email. A NOTE OF CAUTION: I receive a lot of email messages every day. In order for my email account to recognize your email and direct it to the appropriate folder, please write the following phrase in the SUBJECT line of your message: ANT 105. I use my email as the main form of communication, although I am willing to call you if you would prefer to discuss certain matters over the phone rather than through email.  Please allow me 24 hours to respond to your email.
• As a general rule, I do not give make-up exams, and no exam can be retaken. It is your responsibility to take the online exams during the days they are available online.  In the past I have had students forget to take the exams on the assigned day, because they didn’t have it written down properly.  Make sure you have the dates of the exams and writing assignments posted in a location that will help you remember.
• Plagiarism and cheating show disrespect for yourself and others. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s work without citing the source. Please do not simply cut and paste information into your writing assignments, instead put it into your own words and cite it. Cheating is the use of unauthorized materials or copying from another’s work during a quiz, test, or other assignment. Linfield has strict policies on plagiarism and cheating. All writing assignments will be checked by turnitin.com  which will alert me to any plagiarism.  I will give an F for the course to any student who participates in cheating or plagiarism.

Course Readings

• Robert Jurmain, Lynn Kilgore, Wenda Trevathan, and Harry Nelson (2006) Essentials of Physical Anthropology (with InfoTrac), 6th Edition. Thomson/Wadsworth.
• Web-based course notes
• Journal articles (provided online).
  

Course Requirements & Grade
All assignments/quizzes are due by the date posted on the syllabus, but can always be turned in or taken before the due date with the exclusion of tests and the final which will only be available for a specific amount of time.

1. Online Discussion:  Each week all students are required to submit a relevant, substantive written comment online to receive 5 points. (5 x 13 = 65 points)  I will submit questions that you can answer or you may respond to comments from other students.  This information will help you gain a better understanding of the course material and prepare you for the tests/final and writing assignments.  Even though the deadline for submitting a comment is Sunday at 11:55 p.m. it is better to post your comment earlier in the week so that others have an opportunity to discuss your point.
2.  Practice Quiz:  Each chapter is covered by a open book quiz.  (Some weeks it is required for a student to complete two chapter quizzes).  These quizzes will include multiple-choice and true/false questions and cover only information within that chapter.  You will receive 10 points for taking the quiz no matter what your final score is. (10 x 14 chapters = 140 points) You may take the quiz several times to ensure the complete understanding of the material.
3. Writing Assignments:  There will be 4 writing assignments worth 20 points each (4 x 20 = 80 points).  For each writing assignment you will be given a research question to be answered through reading journal articles ( that will be provided), the text book, suggested web searching and discussing those topics with me and other students online you will be expected to write a 1-2 page paper that is double spaced and referenced.  (an example will be provided)
• The first paragraph should be an introduction of the topic/question,
• Second, include information from journal articles/text/discussion/web searching,
• Third, discuss any personal experience, opinion or relevant information discussed about this topic (I like to see your personal opinion in the work),
• Finally, conclude your assignment with the topic and your opinion.

I will grade the paper for content, grammar, adherence to length requirement (at least 1 page), and proper use of references.  I will not be grading for opinion.  I feel that the topics discussed are applicable to an individual’s life and that everyone’s life is individual so your opinions should be based off of those experiences.  This will be an opportunity to write a research paper combined with your understanding and opinion. 

4. Tests/Final: There will be 3 tests worth 50 points each and one final worth 50 points (4 x 50 = 200 points)  The information will be based off your chapter readings (making the chapter quizzes very helpful), lecture notes, and journal readings.  Tests/Final will include multiple choice and true/false questions.  The primary goals of these exams are to assess your understanding of the core concepts related to the course material and to determine whether you can apply these concepts to situations in the real world. Please check the quiz/exam schedule for important dates and other relevant information.  All tests will close on Sunday at 11:55 p.m., and the final will close May 24th at 5:00 p.m.  I would advise students not to wait till the last minute to take your tests/final, sometimes there are technical problems and you need more time, so don’t procrastinate.

Grading:

Grade Distribution

Your course grade will be assigned according to the following scale:

Class Schedule: