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ANTH 1-Physical Anthropology
Project 1-Chapter 4 of On The Origin of Species

In this assignment, you are required to obtain and study Chapter Four of Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Compare and contrast Darwin's theory with current evolutionary models. You may use reputable sites on the Internet, your textbook, any encyclopedia, or other reference material.

http://www.bartleby.com/11/ contains an edition of On The Origin of Species online.

Carefully read the chapter. Note Darwin's divisions of subject matter. Please summarize Darwin's argument, paying particularly close attention to the following topics:

Natural Selection,

Artificial Selection,

and Sexual Selection.

In addition, pay close attention to the following concepts and summarize Darwin's perspectives on:

Geologic Time, and

Geographic Isolation.

Now, compare and contrast Darwin's theory with modern anthropological literature on evolutionary processes. Does there appear to be a difference between Darwin and modern evolutionary thinkers? If so, where is the major difference? If not, what part of the theory seems to be the "most stable?" Is there anything you find particularly troubling about Darwin's theory? If so, how do modern anthropological perspectives treat this aspect of Darwin's theory?

This project is designed to get you to think critically about Darwin. You should approach this project by reading Darwin first and summarizing his argument. Then, you should spend a few days thinking about what Darwin said. Next, choose a few (I suggest three) other writers who discuss these (or similar) topics and compare - contrast the concepts.

You are required to provide citations for all quoted or paraphrased material, including all reference materials and Internet sites. This assignment can be well-written in three to four pages.

You should present your findings in a standard college paper. No title-pages, binders, folders, or paper-clipped projects will be acceptable. Submit copies of your research as an appendix to your paper.  Together, these elements compose the First Project.  You should use 1-inch margins, and Times New Roman 12-point font. A bibliography or "works cited" page is mandatory. MLA-style citations, if you please.

--N.B. The Instructor reserves the right to submit student papers to anti-plagiarism services. You may be asked to provide an electronic version of you paper (i.e., a copy of the paper on a disk).  Be advised that I have a strict plagiarism policy!
 

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