ANTH 22O
PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

1. Catalog Entry

ANTH 220. Physical Anthropology
Three hours lecture (3).

This course is the study of physical anthropology. The focus is on the origin, development, and variation of humans from a biological and anthropological perspective, and includes considerations of the human skeleton, human variation and adaptation, human evolution, primates and primate paleontology.

2. Detailed Description of Content of Course

Anthropology 22O is a general course designed to briefly survey the field of physical or biological anthropology. The major focus of the course is the origin, development, and variability of humans from a biological perspective. This will include discussions of the history of physical anthropology as a discipline, human variation and adaptation, the human skeleton, evolutionary principles,
human paleontology, and primates. A more detailed outline is as follows:

1. History of Evolutionary Thinking
2. Human Genetics (Cellular, Mendelian, Population)
3. Principles and Forces of Evolution
4. Human Variability and Adaptation
5. Human Osteology; Skeletal Biology; Forensics
6. Primate Taxonomy, Behavior, Paleontology
7. Human Paleontology (Australopithecines, Homo erectus,
Homo sapiens)

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Because of the introductory nature of this course, a traditional lecture format will be used to present much of the class material. These lectures will, however, be supplemented with slides, films, and manipulation of comparative human and non-human primate skeletal material. In addition, students will be encouraged to participate in occasional class discussions involving such topics as ethics in the curation of human bone and major controversies in human evolution.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

1. Students will become knowledgeable and understand what anthropology is, what anthropologists do, how physical anthropologists study human bone, and the many kinds of information which can be obtained from the study of this bone.
2. Students will consider humans as primates and comparison of them to the remainder of the primate order.
3. Students will be exposed to differing views on human origins.
4. Students will better understand themselves as humans.

5. Assessment Measures

Regular in-class examinations on lecture topics will constitute the primary grade for this course. These exams will
be a combination of both objective (multiple choice, matching) and essay questions.

6. Other Course Information

None.

7. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED
January 2004 Reviewed Dr. Peggy A. Shifflett, Chair