1. Introduction to Physical Anthropology
Jeremy Freeman
Office: 320 Bareis
Telephone: 2629
E-mail: jfreeman@heidelberg.edu
Office Hours: M, W 11:00 AM —12:00 PM
ANT 205
2. Course Objectives
This course will consider the search for the development of human culture. It is de-
signed to assist in meeting Heidelberg’s mission “…to help students to understand
their cultural heritage and their contemporary world…” Within the state objectives of
the College, this course is designed to: facilitate an understanding of one’s own and
other cultures by exploring the common origins and modern diversity of people (7)
and what it means to be human (9); provide opportunities for the development of criti-
cal thinking skills via the methods of inquiry used in this social science (5); and con-
sider the implications of contemporary issues such as historic preservation, resource
depletion and cultural change (3). The course meets general educational requirements
and is a requirement for the anthropology major (10).
Sub-objectives
In this course you will learn about the science of archaeology, methods of archaeologi-
cal investigation, survey and analysis, and archaeology as a profession. This class will
also encourage cultural resource stewardship and the modern implications of the ar-
chaeological record.
Policies
The use of cell phones, ipods, blackberries, etc. is prohibited during class as they pose
a distraction to other students. Cell phones should be turned off or on vibrate/manner
mode. If you need to answer your phone due to family emergency, etc., you should
exit the classroom to do so. Laptops are permitted to be used to record lecture notes
only. You are not to check your e-mail, surf the web, chat, or instant message once
class has begun. If you do have an instant messenger on your computer, your status
should indicate that you are unavailable. Recording devices are allowed to record the
lectures if desirable.
Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements
in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon
as possible. My office location and hours are stated above.
Class Structure
The class will consist of lectures, films, demonstrations, and discussion. Class partici-
pation is an integral component of this class and will be a factor in grade calculation.
Students are expected to read the material prior to class and to be ready to discuss the
material.
3. Attendance
Class attendance is required. Students will be granted three absences. More than
three absences resulting from non-college related activities or not arranged prior to the
absence will result in a letter grade deduction.
Text
Jurmain, Robert, Lynn Kilgore and Wenda Trevathan
2006 Essentials of Physical Anthropology. Sixth ed. Thomson Wadsworth, Bel-
mont, California.
CD-ROM
Ahern, James C. M.
2005 Hominid Fossils CD-ROM: An Interactive Atlas. Thomson Wadsworth, Bel
mont, California.
CD-ROM Assignments
The CD-ROM is divided into 5 sections. When each section is due, the student will go
through the particular section and will write a 1-2 page summary of the material in
that section.
Examinations
There will be two take-home exams during the semester. The content of the exams will
be derived from the readings, lectures, videos, CD-ROM, etc. Exams will consist of 3
essay questions that are to be answered in a typed, double-spaced format. Exams are
to be the students’ own work though you are free to discuss the questions with other
classmates. Essays should be in the student’s own words. Plagiarized exams will re-
sult in a failure on the course and will be subject to the Heidelberg academic honesty
policy.
Writing Assignments
Part of an archaeological investigation is the writing up of the results. Students will
three papers during the semester on the topics below. Due dates for the papers appear
in the syllabus. Papers will be due at the beginning of class and will be due whether
that topic has been covered in class or not. Papers should be 5+ pages of 12 point
font. For each paper, the student will find 2 relevant journal articles related to the
topic. Students will then summarize and discuss the articles which will be supple-
mented by the text, class lectures, etc. Articles must be from a journal or referred
source. These can be found in the library or online.
These papers are to be written in the Association for American Anthropology format
which can be found on the website www.aaa-net.org. All papers must be properly
cited. Papers that are not properly cited will result in having points deducted. All pa-
pers are to be the students own original work. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will
result in a 0 on the paper as well as being reported to the academic dean.
4. Topics
• The Eve Hypothesis
• Replacement vs. Regional Continuity Hypotheses
• The Fate of the Neanderthals
• Hominid Classification
• Primate Adaptations
• Research in the Human Genome
• Human Adaptation and Diversity
• Human Embryology
Group Assignments
In class group assignments will be issued in class. These assignments are to be com-
pleted in class and a discussion will follow. These assignments are designed to engage
the student in critical thinking and require participation. Each Assignment will be
worth 25 points. Students not present in class will not receive credit for these assign-
ments and generally cannot be made up except through special arrangement.
Extra Credit
Opportunities for extra credit will be open to you. Extra credit will be granted to stu-
dents that attend the monthly meetings of the Toledo Area Aboriginal Research Soci-
ety. Students desiring extra credit will attend the meeting and write a one-page sum-
mary/response to the meeting. Students are welcome to attend as many meetings of
the society as desired during the course of the semester. A total of ten points will be
awarded for each meeting. Travel to and from the meeting will be the responsibility of
the student. Meetings take place at Wildwood Metropark in Toledo and begin at 7 PM.
They take place on the 4th
Thursday of each month. Please refer to schedule for meet-
ing dates. If you need directions, I will be happy to provide them to you. If you be-
lieve you will need extra credit, you should not wait until the end of the semester to
begin attending as there will be not other way to make it up.
Additional extra credit options include the writing of additional writing assignments
that are to follow the same format as the others. Students are welcome to write as
many additional papers as they wish.
Final Grade Assessment
CD-ROM Assignments 125
Exams 200
Writing Assignments 300
Group Assignments 100
Attendance/Class Participation 100
Total 825
5. Date Topic Reading Assignment
Mon. 1/7 Course Outline
Wed. 1/9 Introduction to Anthropology Jurmain et al Ch. 1
Fri. 1/11 Evolutionary Thought Jurmain et al Ch. 2
Mon. 1/14 Group Assignment
Wed. 1/16 The Cell Jurmain et al Ch. 3
Fri. 1/18 Heredity Jurmain et al Ch. 4
Mon. 1/21 No Class—Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wed. 1/23 Mammalian Taxonomy Jurmain et al Ch. 5
Fri. 1/25 Mammalian Evolution Paper 1 Due
Mon. 1/28 Video Jurmain et al Ch. 6
Wed. 1/30 Primatology
Fri. 2/1 Primatology cont. Jurmain et al Ch. 7
Mon. 2/4 Hominid Origins Jurmain et al Ch. 8
Wed. 2/6 Video CD-ROM Sect. 1 Due
Fri. 2/8 Hominid Origins Cont.
Mon. 2/11 Homo habilus Jurmain et al Ch. 9
Wed. 2/13 Homo erectus CD-ROM Sect. 2 Due
Fri. 2/15 Homo erectus Cont.
Mon. 2/18 Homo erectus Cont. Paper 2 Due
Wed. 2/20 Homo erectus Cont. CD-ROM Sect. 3 Due
Fri. 2/22 Archaic Homo sapiens
Mon. 2/25 The Neanderthals Jurmain et al Ch. 10
Wed. 2/27 Video CD-ROM Sect. 4 Due
Fri. 2/29 The Neanderthals Cont.
Mon. 3/3 The Neanderthals Cont.
Wed. 3/5 Group Assignment CD-ROM Sect. 5 Due
Fri. 3/7 No Class—Spring Break
Mon. 3/10 No Class—Spring Break
Wed. 3/12 No Class—Spring Break
Fri. 3/14 No Class—Spring Break
Mon. 3/17 No Class—Spring Break
Wed. 3/19 No Class—Spring Break
Fri. 3/21 No Class—Spring Break
Mon. 3/24 No. Class—Spring Break
Wed. 3/26 Anatomically Modern Humans Jurmain et al Ch. 11
Fri. 3/28 AMH Sites Paper 3 Due
6. Mon. 3/31 Human Variation and Diversity Jurmain et al Ch. 12
Wed. 4/2 Group Assignment
Fri. 4/4 Human Variation and Diversity
Cont.
Mon. 4/7 TBD
Wed. 4/9 TBD
Fri. 4/11 TBD
Mon. 4/14 Human Growth and Development Jurmain et al Ch. 13
Wed. 4/16 Growth and Development Cont.
Fri. 4/18 TBD
Mon. 4/21 TBD
Wed. 4/23 TBD
Fri. 4/25 TBD
Mon. 4/28 TBD
Wed. 4/30 TBD