University of Nevada, Las Vegas Fall 2012

ANTH 102-1002 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Osterholtz
Office: WRI A113
E-mail: annao@unlv.nevada.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30-2:30 and by Appointment
LECTURES: Monday and Wednesday TIME: 2:30-3:45 ROOM: TBE A-107

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Biological Anthropology is concerned with the physical aspects of humanity in the past as well as the present. It is concerned with the origin, evolution, and
geographical distribution of humans, the growth of populations and how they change over time, genetics and heredity, human adaptation and human diversity. This
course will emphasize the origin and evolution of humans and their place in nature.

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE: To educate students on evolutionary theory, basic population genetics, human variation, fossil hominids, the origin of
modern humans and ongoing biocultural changes.

TEXTBOOK:
Customized Textbook in UNLV Bookstore: How Humans Evolved (2014) Boyd and Silk. Supplimental readings are available on Webcampus.
GRADING: There will be two tests (50%) and one comprehensive final exam during finals week (40%). Questions on tests and exams will be made up of multiple
choice, true and false, and matching. Make up tests are not given, unless a doctor's note is obtained. Additionally a short writeup based on a visit to one of the
following: Springs Preserve, Natural History Museum, National Atomic Testing Museum, or the Erotic Heritage Museum (10%). Students are responsible for
withdrawing from the class should they decide not to complete it, and if you neglect to officially drop the course, the instructor is required to give you an F
grade. A completed card from the Lab Open House on September 25will gain you extra credit on your overall grade. Extra credit opportunities will be given with in-
class writing assignments (so attendance is important!) and by attending lectures in the evenings (these will be announced throughout the semester).

COURSE CONDUCT:
Academic integrity is something that should be taken seriously. Please arrive promptly and turn off all cell phones, pagers, and watch alarms before coming to class.
UNLV rules concerning academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism) will be enforced.

UNLV DISABILITY POLICY:
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The DRC is the official office to review and
house disability documentation for students, and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is
warranted. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137. For additional information, please visit: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.

UNLV RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS POLICY:
Any students who miss lectures or exams because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make-up missed work. It is
the responsibility of the student to notify the professor no later than the last day of late registration of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not
fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or exam at an alternate time would impose an undue
hardship on the professor.


ANTH 102 Course Schedule: Fall 2014 **Note: subject to change, if necessary
Dates Monday Wednesday Readings/supplemental*
1 Aug 25/27 Introduction and expectations
Discussion of syllabus
Defining anthropology
What is physical anthropology
Ch. 1

2 Sept 1/3 NO CLASS! Labor Day Recess The evolution controversy
Whats so special about science?
read Tattersall

3 Sept 8/10 Mendelian genetics and inheritance:
Mendel and his insight
Mendelian genetics and inheritance:
protein synthesis
Ch. 2, read Judson
4 Sept 15/17 The modern synthesis: the history
Article review handout
The modern synthesis: population
genetics and sexual selection
Ch. 3, 16
*Darwins Dangerous Idea
*Why Sex?
5 Sept 22/24 Living primates: taxonomy and
characteristics.
EXAM 1 (covers Chapter 1, 2, 3, 5, 16) Ch. 5, 9, read Prothero
*Evolve: Communication
6 Sept 29/Oct 1 Primate socio-ecology: great ape social
systems
Primate socio-ecology: optimal diet
theory
Ch. 7
*Ape Genius
7 Oct 6/8 Great ape intelligence: tool use, language
and theory of mind
Early primate evolution: field methods Ch. 8, read van Schaik
*Evolve: Communication
8 Oct 13/15 Early primate evolution: macroevolution
and speciation
The first bipeds: anatomy and theory Ch. 9, 10
9 Oct 20/22 We are all Africans: emergent Homo,
emergent human culture
The greatest innovation: fire. Video: did
Cooking Make us Human?
Ch. 10, 11 read Hunt
*Ape Genius
10 Oct 27/29 Out of Africa vs. Multiregionalism Pre-modern humans and the elaboration
of culture: encephalization
Ch. 12
11 Nov 3/5 The Neanderthals: who were they? EXAM 2 (covers chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12)
Ch. 12
*The Minds Big Bang
12 Nov 10/12 The Neolithic transition Human variation and adaptation: bio-
cultural evolution
Ch. 14

13 Nov 17/19 Human variation and adaptation: bio-
cultural evolution and race
NO CLASS Ch. 15
14 Nov 24/26 Video: The Difference Between Us
(GN269 .R327 2003)
Final exam review Ch. 15
15 Dec 1/3 Study week Study week