Anthropology 2033

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL
ANTHROPOLOGY
University of Texas at San Antonio, Fall 2016

LOCATION: MH 3.03.12
TIME: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:15am
INSTRUCTOR: Allison Koch
OFFICE: MH 3.04.17
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays, 9-11am or by
appointment
PHONE: (319) 540-4637
EMAIL: Allison.koch@utsa.edu

Course Description
Humans are biological creatures with complex biological histories. In this course, we will study the
evolution and ecology of our species through the perspective of biological (physical) anthropology.
In order to understand our rich history, we will cover the basics of genetics, inheritance, population
biology, and natural selection. Considerable review of the trajectory of human evolution will teach
us about the past and present human condition. We will also explore our place in nature through
the study of living primates, with whom we share distant common ancestors.
This course is designed to expose students to the field of biological anthropology. The goal is for
students to develop an overall appreciation for humans as diverse biological and cultural beings, in
both past and present contexts.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
Explain the basic mechanisms that guide biological evolution
Identify species of primates and explain their general importance to anthropology
Recognize that humans are a product of biological and cultural processes
Critique various theories of evolutionary change
Course Texts
Stanford, Craig, John S. Allen, and Susan C. Antn. 2006. Biological Anthropology: The Natural
History of Humankind. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. [Indicated on the reading
schedule as BA]
Gluckman, Peter and Mark Hanson. 2006. Mismatch: The Lifestyle Diseases Timebomb. New York:
Oxford University Press.
*Additional readings will be available on BlackBoard.

Course Requirements
Exams. There will be three exams in this course. The third exam is your final exam and will be
cumulative; although most of the final exam will cover material presented in the last part of the
course, it will include important material from earlier in the course.
In-Class Assignments. We will randomly have 8 in-class assignments throughout the semester. Only
in the event of an excused absence can these assignments be made up. It is therefore in your best
interest to attend class. These assignments are meant to assess your learning and will be graded
only on completion.
Group Presentation. In groups of 3-4, you will gather information and present to the class on one of
the archaic humans. Further details will be provided.
Zoo Assignment. Each person is required to attend the San Antonio zoo and document the behavior
of one of the primate species. You will observe one primate for one hour, taking extensive field
notes. In addition to your field notes, you must submit a one-page response (1.5 spaced, Times New
Roman, 1 margins). Further details will be provided. Your receipt must be stapled to your
assignment and submitted in a hard copy. Admission is $12.
Reading Responses. Throughout the course of the semester, you may choose the readings from any
one day to write a one-page response (1.5 spaced, Times New Roman, 1 margins). You will do this
for four separate days.
Exams

40%

In-Class Assignments

20%

Group Presentation

10%

Zoo Assignment

10%

Reading Responses

20%

Course Policies
Technology. All cell phones, laptops, Ipads, etc. must be on silent and put away.
Late Work. All work is due at the start of class. No late work will be permitted on in-class
assignments, exams, or presentations, except in the event of an excused absence. For the zoo
assignment and readings responses, late work will lose 10% for each day that it is late.
Extra Credit. I have plenty of assignments throughout the semester that will give you opportunities
to keep your grade up, so I do not give extra credit.
Academic Integrity. Students are expected to review and adhere to UTSAs standards of academic
honesty. The Student Code of Conduct can be found below. I have a zero-tolerance policy for a
breach in this policy, all work that does so will earn an automatic 0.
http://catalog.utsa.edu/informationbulletin/appendices/studentcodeofconduct/

Classroom Behavior. To respect our fellow classmates, I expect behavior that fosters an active
learning environment. This includes: being in your seat at the start of class, staying for the duration
of class, keeping all electronics put away, listening to classmates opinions and responding with
respectful comments, encouraging each other, and knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet.
Disrespectful classroom or social media behavior directed at classmates will not be tolerated. I
reserve the right to ask you to leave class or to take away points for inappropriate behavior.

Course Calendar
T

Introduction to course and expectations

Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Week 1
BA Ch. 1

PART I: Mechanisms of Evolution

T
Genetics: Cells, Molecules, Genotypes, and
Phenotype

BA Ch. 3-4

Natural Selection and the Formation of Species

BA Ch. 2

Natural Selection and the Formation of Species,

Continued

BA Ch. 5

Modern Day examples of Adaptation

Week 2

Week 3

PART II: Primates

T
Week 4

Describing the Primates

BA Ch. 8

Primate Behavior

DUE: Zoo Assignment

Evolution of the Primates

BA Ch. 10

Evolution of the Primates, Continued

BA Ch. 7

EXAM 1

Week 5

Week 6

PART III: Human Evolution in the Fossil Record

R
Video: NOVA: Becoming Human, First Steps
(54 minutes)

Becoming Human: The Ape-Hominid Transition

*2 Group presentations

Early Hominids

*2 Group presentations

Class Activity: Measuring Hominid Casts

DUE: Submission of In-Class Work

The Rise of the Genus Homo

*2 Group presentations

Archaic Homo sapiens and Neanderthals

*2 Group presentations

Reviewing the Theories of Human Evolution

BA Ch. 16

EXAM 2

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week
10

PART IV: Biology, Behavior, and Disease in

Modern Humans
R
Video: The Ghost in Our Genes (50 Minutes)
T

Biomedical Anthropology

BA Ch. 17

Guest Lecturer

The Evolution of Human Behavior

BA Ch. 18

Ecology and Evolution of Disease, Introduction

Mismatch; Introduction, Ch. 1

Ecology and Evolution of Disease, Continued

Mismatch, Ch. 2-3

Ecology and Evolution of Disease, Continued

Mismatch, Ch. 4-5

Week
11

Week
12

Week
13

Epigenetics

Mismatch, Ch. 6-7

Thrifty gene and other Hypotheses

Mismatch, Ch. 8-9

Review for Final Exam

EXAM 3

Week
14

Week
15