Course Syllabus
COURSE: ANTH 001 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
LANEY COLLEGE, OAKLAND CA
FALL 2024
Section 41880
ONLINE
17 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Donald Saotome Moore
E-mail: donaldmoore@peralta.edu
Instructor Contact: Message me in canvas or email me at the above email address.
Email me or message me in Canvas to contact me anytime I’ll try and respond in 24-48
hours. Also, if you want a Zoom meeting, please let’s set one up, I have a zoom id.
Course Description and Goals
This course explores the human condition including the biology that creates our
primate cousins, and our early human ancestors and as well as the evolution of
humans. There are a lot of foreign concepts and long Latin names that you will learn,
but we will get through them together. The course covers the concepts, methods
and theory of biological evolution and its application to the human species. There is
a specific focus on molecular, Mendelian, and population genetic mechanisms of
evolution, Primatology, Paleoanthropology, bio-cultural adaptations, and human
variation. The philosophy of science and the scientific method are the foundations
to this course. The focus of the class is the scientific study of human origins. First we
look at the processes, the mechanisms by which evolution works. Second, we deal
with the primate background of the genus Homo. Since humans are primates, we
can learn a lot about human origins from studying non-human primates. Finally, we
will look at the fossil evidence of human evolution. One issue that is currently being
raised is the apparent conflict between the evolutionary and biblical views of human
origins. Because we see science and the scientific method as our foundations to the
course, we will not present evolutionary dogma, but evaluate the evidence up which
the evolutionary interpretation is based.
Peralta Canvas Page
I use a Peralta Canvas Platform to host my class. On the internet site, you can get your syllabus, weekly modules explain what you are doing that week. You can find out what you need to study, reminders about quizzes, due dates for your paper, and any videos or other information which can assist you in understanding biological anthropology. Make a practice to look at my canvas site
once or twice a week. If I have any information to provide you, including class
cancelation, it will be on this site.
https://web.peralta.edu/portal/
Required Text: https://explorations.americananthro.org/
Explorations in Biological Anthropology Zero Textbook Cost. Have the chapters in the modules for each week. You can get a digital copy or an online textbook at the above link.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
· use the scientific method to evaluate the evidence for evolution
· apply knowledge of genetics & evolutionary forces to analyze diversity in human
populations
· apply knowledge of non-human primate anatomy & behavior to evaluate human
anatomy & behavior
· explain the significance of the fossil record in evaluating the evolution of human
adaptations
Course Requirements and Grading
All assignments are connected and structured to help you succeed in the course.
A = 90%-100% (270-243) B= 80-89% (242-216) C=70-79% (215-189)
D=60-70% (188-162) F=below 60% (161 -)
Participation 10 points
Forums 14 x 10 points 140 points
Research Paper 40 points
Quizzes 8 X 10 80 points
270 total points possible
Library Resources: http://lclibrary.coffeecup.com/forms/LCL%20e-Ref%20Form/
Counseling Center: 3rd Floor Tower
Mental Health/Health Center: 4th Floor Student Center
Course Requirements
Communication is key. If you have questions, comments about course materials,
assignments, or anything else that will ensure your success. Email me at
donaldmoore@peralta.edu
I will respond within 24 hours. In addition, I can also be
reached by messaging me on canvas.
Forums
During these 17 weeks, we will have 14 forums, once a week,
otherwise, reading one chapter a week along with other readings or videos I have
for you. For your grades, the students must write a detailed post of 300 words at a minimum in each forum (roughly 14 forums) to the prompt I provide and then respond to other student’s posts (100
words minimum to get up to 10 points per forum). Each substantive and complete post is important. If you do not use the readings or the videos for your posts or responses, you will not get all your points.
As the instructor, I will facilitate student discussions but I will not address every single post. In most cases, I might share a related idea, intervene when the discussion goes off-track, or tie student comments together to help deepen student learning. Consequently, I will not directly answer questions in the discussion area unless they are addressed to me. I will check the forum discussions during when the forum is finished. I give points and usually make some type of comment. Please look at my comments for any comments that might be useful.
Some characteristics I consider to be part of excellent discussion contributions are outlined below. I will consider these characteristics when assessing the quality and level of student participation.
- The total number of forums will be 14. Each would have maximum points of 10.
The forums/discussions will be roughly Thursday through Sunday. The forums will
only be up and open for those days only. The first day you post your comments in response to the forum prompt. On the 2nd day of that forum, you post replies to other student’s
posts for that forum. Occasionally, I will extend the forums to allow more time,
only at special times. -
Submit initial post(s) on the first day of that forum, and subsequent responses to the posts of other learners at the second day. The goal is to have a dynamic discussion around the topic that lasts throughout the entire session.
· Posts and responses should be thorough and thoughtful. Just posting an "I agree"
or "Good ideas" will not be considered adequate. Support statements with examples, experiences, or references particularly from readings or videos. Be brief — keep each post and response to one or two paragraphs. Keep in mind that fellow learners will be reading and responding to you, too.
· Make certain that all posts and responses address the question, problem, or
situation as presented for discussion. This does not mean you should not extend the topic, but do not stray from the topic.
· Discussions occur when there is dialogue; therefore, you need to build upon the posts and responses of other learners to create discussion threads. Make sure to revisit the discussion forum and respond (if necessary) to what other learners have posted to your initial responses.
· When relevant, add to the discussion by including prior knowledge, experiences, references, web sites, resources, etc. (giving credit when appropriate).
· Contributions to the discussions (posts and responses) should be complete and free of grammatical or structural errors.
· When the particular forum ends at the end of the 3-4 days for that forum, you will
no longer be able to comment or post.
Ø Length of post (quantity)
· The students are required to post one original message for each topic (i.e. “replies” to other students do not count in this regard).
· In addition to your original post, you must reply to at least one other classmates for each topic.
· Original posts should consist of at least 300 words or more unless otherwise specified
· Replies to other students should consist of at least 100 words or more per reply.
· Any post that is too short/doesn’t meet the required posting length will receive an zero
.Ø Quality of posts
· Responses/Posts should be well written and free of grammatical errors. Do
NOT use abbreviations or texting language. (i.e. something along of the lines of “IDK...what r u going 2do?” is not acceptable)
· Each of your posts (original posts & replies) must demonstrate your
understanding of the topic.
· Connections between content from readings and assignments should be
exhibited.
· Relate new information with material covered in the class as well as with
personal experience.
· Discuss at a critical level – don’t just recite facts from your reading, discussion, or lecture.
· Critical discussion includes your opinion of items mentioned, but also
includes the reasons you hold that opinion, and why it may be inconsistent
or consistent with what you’ve learned. Justify your reasoning with facts. How does what you’re presenting affect present and future situations?
· Make sure your postings are RELEVANT to the topic at hand.
· If you follow these requirements—particularly the requirement that
specifies that you share personal thoughts/opinions/experiences, posts
should widely vary—but know that if you post is too similar another student’s post, it will result in a zero grade. Make your own point, don’t use another student’s post for your own work.
· This means that not all postings get automatic 10 points for writing 300 words or replying to others with 100 words.
Ø Timeliness
· Please be sure to post EARLY so that there something for you and
your classmates to discuss.
· Because forum discussion postings are supposed to mimic conversation,
forum discussion postings must be made on time. Anything posted after
the specified due date will not be graded/is not eligible for points.
· Forum discussion postings cannot be made-up.
Exams and Assignments
The due dates for all the reading, assignments, and exams listed below are noted in
bold on your schedule:
Quizzes are 10 points each with a total of 8 quizzes.
Make sure you check your grades in canvas always; I sometimes miss giving points in a forum
or miss grading someone on a quiz. Contact me if you think I am in error. I can quickly fix any potential problem.
Information for success
· All coursework must be uploaded by the date and time specified. If you are
unable to upload, then I will accept it by email. However, make sure that I
confirm your work was received in the email. Claiming you sent it is not
acceptable. I must confirm that I have your work by email. However, don’t send me a forum post days after a forum closes and tell me it didn’t work when you tried to submit it.
-
A note about Plagiarism and Cheating
You will note that we encourage the development of study groups and study
buddy relationships. These groups are good for clearing up any confusion about
and for review notes of your readings, discussion about any written materials and
videos, and for moral support. However, every iota of work that you hand-in
or complete in class must be 100% yours, from the note-taking stage,
through multiple drafts, to the final copy of a paper that you submit for a grade. This
means you can’t borrow or closely copy from the authors of your text or
from each other without a citation in all of your college classes. We will
discuss the citation process in class for it takes a while to learn how to properly
cite your sources. We’ll begin to practice that in class and I welcome questions
about plagiarism or citation at any time. If I discover plagiarized or copied material from another student, the Internet, or from a published author in your work I may call you for a student conference and give you a zero for the assignment. If there are repeated infractions in my
class you may be referred to the Vice-President of Student Affairs for
disciplinary action. You must understand that many academic institutions expel
students over this issue so it is vital for you to develop an understanding of
plagiarism as soon as possible!
· Required daily readings are listed under the week that it is due on the
schedule, so you should look ahead to complete your reading for the next class.
· Completing the reading daily and participating in the forum for that week will greatly
assist your online experience. Students should actively read the text, take notes or complete any study guides, note any questions about the material, and take careful notes when reading the material.
· Reviewing your notes as soon as you have read the readings. This will
greatly increase your success in the class. Please let me know of any questions
for clarification during office hours on zoom, or you can contact me
via email or canvas messaging.
· You are responsible for readings for the class. Their titles will be listed on the
course schedule and on the weekly canvas site.
· In advance of a quiz, review your study guide. Questions will come directly
from the study guide. To do well, study your study guides well in advance.
Figure out how your readings and handouts relate to each of the topics the quiz
will be covering. If you have any notes from videos, or YouTube, or classroom
exercises, review them as well; integrating them into the material presented in
your study guide. When preparing for quiz, orally review the study guide with
your study group or study buddies until you feel confident that you understand
and can meet the Student Learning Objectives listed on this syllabus and each of
the chapters or topic areas listed below in your course schedule.
What makes me frustrated and irritated?
Because I believe that forewarned is forearmed, I’ve included a list of the kinds of things
that make me frustrated and irritated. Hopefully you can avoid these pitfalls.
-
Suffering silently. If you have complaints or confusion about the class in general
or specific assignments, talk to me. I am committed to seeing the class go well
and have lots of ideas that can help you study and succeed. Contact me, schedule a zoom meeting, e-mail me, or come to my office hours.
· Rudeness, or any form of threatening behavior with others. Complaining about
class policies. I am sorry if you are inconvenienced or feel you don’t really like a
certain policy, but I can promise you that someone needed the policy or it
wouldn’t have been invented. -
Complaining about your grades. I am happy to make grade changes when my
records have been in error (so hold on to your papers), and I strongly believe in being fair. I
always welcome discussing assignments or answering questions before exams.
However, it’s the work you’ve handed in that earns the grades (points) in this class, not
any amount of good intentions or complaining. -
Continually handing in late work or expecting special arrangements to be made to
grade your materials.
COURSE SCHEDULE-FALL 2024
Textbook : EXPLORATIONS: AN OPEN INVITATION TO BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Editors: Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera and Lara Braff
American Anthropological Association Arlington, VA
https://explorations.americananthro.org/
Week 1 Ch. 1: Introduction to Physical/Biological Anthropology
#1 Forum
Study guide available for #1 Quiz in Week 2
Week 2 Ch. 2: Evolution
#2 Forum
#1 Quiz
Last Day to Add and Drop Regular Session Classes and Receive A Refund September (Labor Weekend)
Week 3 (Labor Day) Ch. 3: Molecular Biology and Genetics
#2 Forum
Study guide for #2 Quiz
Week 4 Ch. 4: Forces of Evolution
#3 Forum
# 2 Quiz
Week 5 Ch. 5: Meet the Living Primates
#4 Forum
Study guide available for quiz 3
Research Paper Assignment, due 11/13
Week 6 Ch. 6: Primate Behavior and Ecology
#5 Forum
#3 Quiz
Week 7 Ch. 7: Understanding the Fossil Context
#6 Forum
Study guide for Quiz 4
Week 8 Ch. 8: Primate Evolution
# 7 Forum
#4 Quiz
Week 9 Ch. 9: Early Hominins
#8 Forum
Study guide for quiz #5
Professional Day 10/18 (no classes)
Week 10 Ch.10: Early Members of the Genus Homo
# 9 Forum
#5 Quiz
Week 11 Ch. 11: Archaic Homo
#10 Forum
Study guide for quiz #6
RESEARCH PAPER ASSIGNMENT DUE November 13
Week 12 Ch. 12: Modern Homo sapiens
#11 Forum
#6 Quiz
Week 13 Ch. 13: Race and Human Variation
#12 Forum
Study guide for quiz #7
Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
Week 14 Ch. 14: Human Variation: A Human Adaptive Approach
#13 Forum
#7 Quiz
Attendance Verification Nov. 22
Week 15 Ch. 15: Bio-archaeology and Forensic Anthropology
#14 Forum
Study guide to # 8 quiz
Week 16 Ch. 16: Topics: Human Biology and Health
#14 Forum
#8 Quiz
Week 17 FINALS Week
Course grades will be posted in Passport by December 31, 2024.