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Syllabus-Physical Anthropology
Syllabus
Who: April Garwin, MA What: Anth 1- Section E0334- Physical Anthropology When: Summer 2008 Where: Primarily, this room LS112, with occasional trips outside Help! Office: PS112 and By Arrangement How: Email: april-garwin@redwoods.edu Other: Course web page: www.redwoods.edu/instruct/agarwin
Welcome!
Like a great many biology, anatomy, and physiology courses, this class will utilize human skeletal elements. If you have compelling religious, philosophical or cultural objections to handling natural bone specimens, I am prepared to accommodate concerns by offering plastic replicas of certain skeletal items when possible. Handle ALL anatomical specimens with EXTREME care—some are fragile; all are irreplaceable and must be handled respectfully.
Students should expect from me organized presentations, current information on the subject, thoughtful evaluation of assignments, timely return of graded assignments, and guidance in completing course requirements.
Please email me, or talk to me before or after class if you have any concerns during the semester. You may request my home phone number for discussions, if necessary, but I am more available by email.
In return for a bold spirit of academic inquiry and integrity, I will offer you a fantastic class!
Texts/Other Sources
The textbook chosen for this class has been carefully selected from a wide range of material currently available. Some familiarity on the part of the student with Internet searching and browsing is assumed as several excellent websites pertaining to physical anthropology exist and will enrich your understanding of the class material. Handouts will be distributed during class and will also be available on the class website.
The required texts are available in the bookstore.
Angeloni,
E.
From the 2007-2008 Catalog: (3 units lecture) Grade Only CSU and UC An introduction to physical anthropology taught within the framework of evolutionary theory. To show how social and biological sciences are related, the course is organized into four major parts: evolutionary theory, nonhuman primates, human evolution, and modern human biological variation. These biological concepts are considered within the context of past and present cultures. Recommended: ENGL-150 Ready.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the relationship of physical anthropology to social and biological sciences. 2. Write logically, clearly, and analytically. 3. Analyze primary and secondary sources in order to extract information relevant to an issue of concern in physical anthropology. 4. Apply anthropological concepts to real-world situations and problems, demonstrating an ability to process factual information using scientific methods and anthropological concepts. 5. Create their own arguments based upon anthropological concepts and data. 6. Exhibit the ability to think logically about issues in physical anthropology and how people have interpreted those issues. 7. Sustain an argument through the use of evidence and logic in class discussions, essay exam questions, and term papers. 8. Discuss how physical anthropologists have analyzed and interpreted various aspects of human evolution. 9. Display the above (1-8) skills in class discussions, written work, and written examinations.
General Expectations
It is my expectation that students will attend class regularly, prepare for each class, follow directions for completing assignments, complete assignments on time, participate safely, meaningfully, and respectfully in class, ask questions, and seek assistance, if necessary.
I expect you to turn off your cell phones and pagers. Your electronic gadgets annoy me and your fellow classmates. Use of ANY unauthorized electronic device is STRICTLY PROHIBITED during Class, including but not limited to Lectures and Exams. If your cell phone rings in my class the consequences are too horrific to envision. Let’s not find out, hmmm?
Class participation is integral to the learning process in this course. We will be doing in-class projects and demonstrations—your participation is critical to your success in this class. Punctual arrival to class is expected. Students who arrive to class late are expected to sneak in quietly and unobtrusively. Chronic attendance problems will be noted and we will discuss them privately. If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out in a timely manner what you missed. You are responsible for learning the material you missed.
An accurate and complete set of lecture notes is important for performing well in this class. Suggestions for taking good notes include: pre-reading, pre-class preparation, listening for clue words, taping lectures, comparing notes with other students, rewriting and reorganizing notes, and asking the instructor for clarification.
The instructor considers lecture material (like any other course material) to be intellectual property. Students are not to sell lecture notes (and other class materials) to other students or to note-taking services, online or otherwise; such action may constitute copyright infringement and/or academic dishonesty.
I expect that projects will be turned in at the beginning of class on the days they are due. Late projects, handwritten or sloppy projects, or projects submitted electronically will not be accepted. “Dropping off a project” to my office or to any department secretary is strictly prohibited.
Exams
Exam material may be drawn from any of the following sources: required reading material, lecture, handouts, and/or laboratory materials. Exams may include any or all of the following formats: multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, essays and/or visual or tactile identification of skeletal elements or laboratory materials.
If you are a qualified student with a disability and need accommodation to complete exams or quizzes, please present your written accommodation request BEFORE the first quiz or assignment due date so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Students are expected to arrive on time for tests. In the case that a student is excessively late (10 minutes or more past the start of class) in arriving to take a test, the instructor reserves the right to deny that student the opportunity to take the test with no possibility of a make-up exam.
There will be no makeup exams or late assignments accepted. Ever. Don't bother asking. Computers are Evil! Make backups and have an alternate computer or printer plan of action if yours quits working. I urge you not to wait until the last minute to print copies of class materials.
Class Projects
You will be required to complete two class Projects. The details of these projects will be presented at a later date, but will ultimately result in the production of two approximately 4-page reports. These reports must be typed in Times New Roman 12-point font with 1-inch margins, and all citations must be given in standard MLA format. Information on MLA format is readily available in the Library and several good sources exist online. Check the class website for links. Any project that deviates from this format will not receive credit. If you need assistance, contact me as soon as possible. I have great suggestions and strategies available!
Grading Policy
There will be no makeup exams or quizzes. Ever. Period. Don’t ask. Unless you have a valid written excuse (family or medical), you will receive a ZERO on the missed assignment; with a valid excuse, your grade may be averaged from the remaining graded assignments.
The final
course grade is calculated by dividing the points earned (including any extra
credit points) by the total points possible (excluding extra credit). This
percentage is then translated into a letter grade based on a 10% scale
(A=90-100%, B=80-89%, etc.). Final course grades will not be curved. In some
cases, students with borderline percentages (e.g., 59%, 69%, 79%, and 89%) are
given the higher grade based on the following criteria: participation in the
extra credit portion of the final, class attendance, class participation, or
demonstrable improvement.
Letter grades for the class will be assigned based on the following breakdown:
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to abide by the rules of academic conduct. I have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for falsification of data, cheating, and plagiarism. As scholars you are required to cultivate an understanding of what constitutes intellectual theft and learn how to avoid it. If you have questions about plagiarism consult with me as soon as possible as I have great strategies which will allow us to entirely avoid all this unpleasantness. If you are caught falsifying data, cheating, or plagiarizing or otherwise engaging in academic dishonesty you WILL flunk my class. A claim of ignorance as to what constitutes falsification of data, plagiarism, or cheating is not an excuse.
Do your own work and take pride in it.
I will actively advise you on homework, labs, assignments and tests. Do not be afraid to ask for appropriate assistance from those who can give it. Feel free to use a proofreader. Do keep photocopies, photographs, and/or printouts of your research. You are expected to submit these with your assignments. Be warned that I check suspicious documents.
I reserve the right to change any provision in this syllabus at any time. Any necessary changes will be announced in class.
EH= Extinct Humans—Ae=Annual Editions
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| V 3.4 Last Updated June 2008 Copyright April Garwin 2001-2008 All Rights Reserved |