Winter Quarter, 2002
T, Th, F 2:30-3:50
Instructor: Darryl Holman
Office: M43 Denny Hall
Phone: 206-543-7586
Email: djholman@u.washington.edu
Office hours: Wed 2:30–3:30 (M43 Denny Hall), Immediately after class (301 Miller Hall)
Teaching Assistants:
|
Isabelle Sarton-Miller |
Lorraine O’Neal |
|
Office: 407 Denny Hall |
Office: 407 Denny Hall |
|
Email: imiller@u.washington.edu |
Email: ldoneal@u.washington.edu |
|
Office hours: Fri 12:30–2:20 |
Office hours: Mon and Wed 2:30–3:30 |
Web page: http://faculty.washington.edu/~djholman/bioa201. The web page contains the class schedule,
the most up-to-date version of the syllabus, some lecture notes (added
throughout the quarter), and links to other relevant resources.
Classes:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 2:30 to 3:50 p.m. in 223 Miller Hall. Attend all lectures, as lectures will
frequently include material beyond what is in the textbook.
Course Description: This course is an introduction to biological anthropology, including topics like the evolution of humans, human biological diversity, and human adaptation. We will begin with an introduction to evolutionary theory and genetics. We will then take a brief look at the biology and behavior of our closest relatives, the non-human primates. Next, we will turn our attention to the paleontological record and use fossilized bones, teeth, and stone tools in order to reconstruct the evolution of humans and other primates. Finally, we will examine living humans and biological diversity among people.
Readings: The textbook for this course is Biological Anthropology, 3rd edition, 2001, by Michael Alan Park, published by McGraw-Hill-Mayfield. Essentially, we will work our way through the entire book.
Grading: Your course grade will be determined by three components. The first is an in-class midterm that will make up 35% of your grade. The second is a final exam that will make up 45% of your final grade. Finally, work in the laboratory section will make up 20% of your grade.
Laboratory sections: You are required to meet once a week in lab sections with the teaching assistants. All sections meet in 449 Denny Hall. The lab section provides you with an opportunity to discuss, clarify, and expand upon the lecture and readings materials. Additionally, you will get some hands-on exercises and small-group learning exercises. Quizzes, exercises, and homework in these sections count for 20% of your grade. There will be 2 quizzes and 4 homework assignments. Any assignment or quiz that you fail to hand in will receive a grade of zero. Grades for late assignments will depreciate by 10% per day, including any fraction of a day late. For example, if you would have gotten a 95% on an assignment, it depreciates to 85.5% for being one day late, 77% by for 2 days late, and so on.
Exams: There will be two exams given: an in-class
mid-term examination and a final exam.
Both exams will be multiple choice; they will include material from the
textbook, lectures, and the laboratory sections. The midterm exam, given
on Feb 8, will make up 35% your grade. The final exam will make up 45% of
your grade. The final exam will
largely cover material from the second half of the quarter, but will include
material from the entire course. The
final exam will be given in the classroom (301 Miller Hall.) from
4:30-6:20 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2002. Students will be offered alternative exam
formats only when required by DSS. A
make-up exam will not be given unless the student arranges for it in advanced and
has a valid medical or legal excuse.
Week 1
Jan 8 Course introduction. What is biological anthropology? Chap 1
Jan 10 Science and the scientific method Chap 1
Jan 11 The history of evolutionary theory—I Chap 2
Jan 15 The history of evolutionary theory—II Chap 2
Jan 17 Evolutionary genetics—DNA Chap 3
Jan 18 Evolutionary genetics—Traits and inheritance Chap 3
Jan 22 Evolutionary theory—I Chap 4
Jan 24 Evolutionary theory—II Chap 4
Jan 25 Species and evolution—I Chap 5
Jan 29 Species and evolution—II Chap 5
Jan 31 An evolutionary timetable Chap 6
Feb 1 Primates—I Chap 7
Feb 5 Primates—II Chap 7
Feb 7 Video:
The New Chimpanzees
Feb 8 In-Class Midterm Exam (Covers material through Feb 7). Chap 1–7
Feb 12 Primate behavior—I Chap 8
Feb 14 Primate behavior—II Chap 8
Feb 15 The human skeleton Chap 9
Feb 19 Fossils and ancient DNA Chap 9
Feb 21 Hominid evolution—I Chap 10
Feb 22 Hominid evolution—II Chap 10
Feb 26 The evolution of Homo—I Chap 11
Feb 28 The evolution of Homo—II Chap 11
Mar 5 The origins of modern Homo sapiens Chap 12
Mar 5 The study of living humans—I Chap 13
Mar 7 The study of living humans—II Chap 14
Mar 8 Human biological diversity—I Chap 14
Mar 12 Human biological diversity—II Chap 14
Mar 14 Video: The Ice Man Chap 15
Mar 15 Applied biological anthropology Chap 15
Mar 19 (Tuesday) Final exam, 4:30-6:20 p.m., 301 Miller Hall. Chap 1–15