ANTH 130-3150 INTRO TO SYLLABUS Instructor: Michael Blood
PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY PH: (619) 286-4837
Spring 2007, Grossmont College (Please do not call in absences)
Tue / Thurs 5:30PM - 6:45PM RM: 544A Email: <mlblood@cox.net>
COURSE DESCRIPTION and OBJECTIVES: Man's place in nature; primatology, fossil evidence for
hominid evolution , evolutionary theory, present day physical variability among human
populations; relationship of physical and cultural adaptations.
REQUIRED TEXT: Stein & Row, Physical Anthropology , (Latest Ed. preferred)
OPTIONAL: Study Guide to above text
NOTE: the following day by day brake down of information will "ebb & flow" (not always occur on the EXACT
day listed due to questions, class discussions, videos, illness, etc) but will be the basic chronological
order of lecture topics, so, if you miss a given day, you can see what information it is you missed
You are strongly encouraged to get copies of notes on same from your fellow students). NOTE: Dates
of exams may be changed. If so, there will be a minimum of 2 class sessions warning in advance.
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION & HISTORY Required Reading: While test 1 will cover only chapter 1
of the text, you also NEED to read Chapters 11 + 12 during this time frame
TUE -Overview of the field of Anthropology/ the scope of Physical anthropology
Jan 23 and what will and won't be covered in this course / Humans as part of nature
-Review entire Syllabus
THUR The nature of culture and how it interfaces with Physical Anthropology /
Jan 25 Norms, Folkways & Mores, Culture IS an environment, the pervasiveness
and destructiveness of Ethnocentrism / the concepts of Relativism &
Wholism / Implications of: Anthroprocentrism and Anthropomorphism
Society vs Culture / the US as a multicultural society / "Western Culture" /
Linguistics, the power of language and its profound implications /
Archaeology: types, techniques, goals and significance.
TUE -Milestones in human evolution and history / the power of communication /
Jan. 30 Implications of Bipedalism / Basics of environmental adaptation / world
human population growth / what numbers REALLY mean
A brief History of Anthropology, Marco Polo, Arch Bishop Usher, the
THUR Age of Exploration & "the New World," Galileo and the interference of
Feb 1 the Church with science, Linnaeus, Jean-Baptiste del Lamarck's Theory
of Acquired Characteristics.
FRI Feb. 2 No Class - Last day to drop without a "W"
TUE -Charlse Lyell's Principles of Geology and Uniformitarianism, Meteorites,
Feb 6 de Perthes, Charles Darwin & Alfred Wallace, ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES,
Survival of the Fittest & Natural Selection, Gregor Mendel, "Piltdown Man,"
John T. Scopes, "Creation Science," & The Supreme Court ruling of 1987 /
THUR -Study Groups / Macro Evolution & Micro Evolution / Evidence of evolution /
Feb 8 Adaptation via Culture, Sociobilogists, Science - goal & methodology, paradigms.
SECTION II: GENETICS Required Reading: Test 2 will cover Chapters 2, 3, 4. You NEED to
read Ch 13 now.
TUE Genetic inheritance, mutations, Evolution as adaptive mutations, Gregor
Feb 13 Mendel, The Basic Principles of Heredity, Mendelian Genetics, discrete &
no blending, Dominant and Recessive genes. Phenotype & Genotype, TEST REVIEW,
THUR TEST 1
FEB 15
TUE Video of Mendel, DNA, mRNA
Feb 20 Review of Mendel's Peas, Dominant & Recessive traits DNA, RNA, mRNA, the
human Karyotype, 23 rd pair "sex chromosome," 44 Autosomes, the Centromere,
XX/XY, Mitosis/Meiosis, Alleles, the Zygote,
THUR Mate Selection in the US, Homogomy, the Social Class factor, Gene Splicing, Crossover,
Feb 22 Homozygous/Homogenetic & Heterozygous/Heterogenetic alleles, Sickle Cell & Malaria,
Monohybrid/Bihybrid & Trihibrid crosses, Phenotype & Genotype, Complimentary
Genes/Polygenetic Traits, Downs Syndrome and other genetic abnormalities
FRI Feb 23 -(NO CLASS) Last day to apply for CR/NC instead of a letter grade
TUE IQ - definition, origins, mean, median & mode, significance and
Feb 27 insignificance of IQ, use as faux science in racism, The Bell Curve, Eugenics,
Regulator Genes, The Human Genome project, Monozygotic & Dizygotic Twins
THUR The Founder Principle, Clinal & Discontinuous Traits, The Myth of Race,
Mch 1 Race vs. Ethnicity, the 3 Stock Concept, Multiplication of Species Model/
Phyletic Speciation, Schistic Speciation, Instantaneous Speciation, the
Sewell-Wright Effect, Dollo's Law, Cope's Law, Hardy Weinberg Law,
Bergman's Rule, Allen's Rule, Gloger's Rule, melanin, The English Pepper Moth,
SECTION III: GEOLOGICAL TIME & EVOLUTION Required Reading: Ch 5 & 6 NEED to read Ch 14
TUE Eras, Periods & Epochs, The age of the earth, review significance of numbers,
Mch 6 irregularity of Geological time due to basis: Major Geological Events and the
emergence & extinction of distinctive flora & fauna in the fossil record,
Page 2
Distinguishing aspects of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic & Cenozoic, The last 3
Ice Ages, Plate Tectonics, Pangaea, Adaptive Radiations.
Review for TEST 2
THUR TEST 2
Mch 8
TUE Specialization vs Generalization, changing views on Dinosaurs, The K-T
Mch 13 Event, the significance of Meteorites, Taxonomy of Carolus Linnaeus & Philosophia
Botanica, the binomial nomenclature, the use of Latin, Homologies, Analogies,
Convergent Evolution, review human place in taxon of life, 5 life forms, Amphibians,
the Amniot Egg, Reptiles, Ectotherms & Endotherms,
THUR The Class Mamalia, Placentals, Marsupials & Monotremes Review of Natural
Mch 15 Selection & Survival of the Fittest, 10/963 human variations,
Environment: Physical, Biotic, Cultural, Microenvironment, Habitat, Microhabitat
Niche. Ecology, Review of English Pepper Moth, Selective Agent, Micro Evolution,
Fitness, Macro Evolution, Selective Coefficient, Relative Fitness, Review Sickle Cell,
TUE Sociobiologists, Altruism as Inclusive Fitness, John Locke, Nature VS Nurture -
Mch 20 Genetic Determinism vs Environmental Determinism, the 50/50 phenomenon,
Anagenesis/Phyletic Gradualism & Cladogenisis/Multiplication of Species Model,
Stephen J. Gould & Punctuated Equilibrium, Demes, Continuous Variation &
Clines. Speciation, definition of a species, Paleospecies/Morphospecies, Isolation
& Speciation: Founder Principle, Non-random Mating, Mutation. Regulatory Genes
THUR 4 Factors of Adaptability to new nishes: Geographic Barriers, change tolerance,
Mch 22 mobility & Preadaptiveness. "Competition"
TEST 3 Review
SECTION 5: THE ORDER PRIMATES Required Reading: Ch 7, 8 & 9. NEED to read Ch 17
TUE TEST 3
Mch 27
THUR The Order Primates, Prosimians, NW Monkeys, OW Monkeys, Apes & Man.
Mch 29 Nails vs Claws, Eyes: Stereoscopic & Color perception, Dentition, the Sagital
Plane & Dental Formulae, The 5 Y pattern, the Foramen Magnum, Maturation:
Sexual, Physical & Social, Estrus, Implications of ongoing sexual receptivity
of Human & Bonobo females.
APRIL 2 - 7 SPRING BRAK E
TUE The work of Irvin de Vore, Primate Social Groups: Monogamous Pairs, Multi Male,
Apr 10 Harems, Bachelor, Singles, Consort Pairs. Savannah Baboons: Stratification & home
ranges vs Territory of Monogamous Pairs, Agonistic Beh, Grooming: Status, Calming,
Bonding, Hygiene, Affection.
THUR "The People of the Forest" video
Apr 12 video concluded. Discussion of video. The work of Jane Goodal, Chimp characteristics,
Multi Male Groups, over 50% of all Primates, Dominance Hierarchy, Political
alliances, consort pairs. The Knuckle Walkers, The Hemochorial Placenta.
Macaques, Koshima Island. Ischial Callosities, Sexual Dimorphism, Sexual Skin,
TUE Conjoined Twins, Gender Ambiguous birth rate and the Myths perpetrated
Apr 17by the AMA based on highly skewed "studies" by Money. Herbivores, Carnivores &
Omnivores, opportunistic meat eating vs hunting and scavenging. Vestigial structure
Test Prep
THUR TEST 4
Apr 19
FRI April 20, NO CLASS - Last day to drop.
TUE Language, Arbitrary, uses Displacement & Open Ended. CoCo & Washo. Prosimian
Apr 24 Dental Comb & Sublinqua, reliance on nose, Scent Marking.
SECTION 6: The Hominids and Early Man REQUIRED READING: Review Ch 11, 12, 13, 14, 17.
THUR Some Common Dating Methods: Absolute/Relative, how they work, Carbon 14, K-A,
Apr 26 Dendrochronology, Paleomagnatism, Obsidian Hydration, Pollenology, Paleontology,
Thermoluminescence, Stratigraphy, Fluorine, Patination, Seriation, Sexing the
skeleton: Pelvis, Coccyx, Skull, Overall, Aging the skeleton, Adolescent & Adult.
TEST 5 REVIEW / JEOPARDY - Check Web site for photos
TUE TEST 5 - PAPER DUE (at BEGINNING of class)
May 1
THUR Paleontology, Fossil, Fossil Record, Indicator Fossils. Sampling Error in the fossil
May 3 record. Purgatorius, Artifacts/Debitage.Lithic Industries: Oldowan, Acheulean,
Mousterian & Upper Paleolithic Industries. Video Segment on Stone Tools
TUE "U" Ape & "V" Human Dental Arcade.
May 8 Piltdown Man, Raymond Dart & the Taung Baby, Broom & Paranthropus robustus,
Louis & Mary Leakey, Donald Johnson & Lucy, The Black Skull, Richard & Mave
Leakey, Misc. Australopithicines, Ardapithicus ramidus, Sahelanthropus
tchadensis, the 4 Genera of Hominids prior to Homo,
Page 3
THUR Beginning of language: the hyoid, flexed basicrania & Broca's Area.
May 10 Man in the New World. The Future of Humanity PAPER DUE
TUE Video: James Burk's "Before The Warming"
May 15
THUR Conclude Video & discuss
May 17 TEST 6 REVIEW
TUE 5:30PM to 7:30PM FINAL EXAM 6 (and make ups, as needed)
May 22 Final Grade determined.
CELL PHONES: Except in pre-cleared emergencies, if a student leaves class, there is no return.
Out of consideration of fellow students, please turn off all cell phones prior to entering class. If
you have a family emergency that would require you to leave if contacted, please notify instructor
before class and set phone to silent (vibrate). Leaving during a test FOR ANY REASON marks
the end of your test.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: You may write a report on any of the following:
A RELEVANT -Scientific Journal Article
-Video at the LRC (Listed under Physical Anthropology)
-Internet article on any Physical Anth. web site
You man NOT write on any of the following: the ice man, creationism or any citation of an
encyclopedia. All papers must be typed or computer printed - 12 or 14 point required,
Laser quality, double spaced, 1 page Minimum, 2 page Maximum, NO COVER SHEET no REF. PG.
Papers may not be returned, so, MAKE A COPY FOR YOURSELF. (If you do not make a copy
and I show no record of your paper, you will not receive credit (protect yourself!)
Grading of papers will be based on the following:
50% Demonstration of how what you learned and HOW IT RELATES TO OR CONTRIBUTED TO
YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS COURSE. Just describing the article will not do.
30% GRAMMAR, including punctuation, typos, etc.
10% Complete Citation - you must include COMPLETE title, author, source, date (format flexible)
10% for each of the following:
Length/form, not less than 1, nor more that 2 pages, double spaced
No Cover Sheet - Papers with 2 pages MUST be stapled, NOT paper clipped,
dog eared, in binders, etc. No Citation page.
There will be 10% deducted per class from late papers.
No paper will be accepted after 2 sessions from the date upon which it was due.
NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL.
NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED IN MY MAILBOX.
DUE DATE: PAPER DUE TUE, MAY 1 at the BEGINNING of class.
COURSE GRADE : Each test will be worth up to 100 points (this will be based on the % of correct
answers) The paper will be worth up to 100 points. There are a possibility of 700 points.
Your total points will be divided by 7 which will result in a letter grade as follows:
630 to 700 points = 90% + = A
560 to 629 points = 80% + = B
490 to 559 points = 70% + = C
420 to 489 points = 60% + = D
Under 420points = < 60% = F
RECORD HERE: Test 1____ Test 2____Test 3_____Test 4_____Test 5_____Test 6_____
Paper____Total____ (then divide by 7) for Semester grade.
NOTE: Extra Credit points are added to the average points after they are determined and
excessive absences and tardiness points are then deducted.
page 4
EXTRA CREDIT: Extra credit will be given if you read and write a 5 to 8 page report on one
(or more) of the following:
The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry
by Bryan Sykes - Using genetic technology and the discovery of an immutable strand of maternal
DNA, Sykes, a professor of genetics at Oxford University, proposes that all humans have descended
from seven prehistoric women. More interesting and easy to understand than it sounds.
Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History
by Stephen Jay Gould -The story of how the Burgess Shale came to be, of its creatures, attempts to classify them, and where they fit into the scheme of evolution.
The Day The Universe Changed, James Burke - Paradigm Shifts: when a change in knowledge radically altered humankind's understanding of itself and its world. Fascinating reading.
Each report earns UP TO 5 % of the semester grade. Graded using the same criteria as the short papers. DUE: on or before the following dates:
1st of 2 or 3 = April 10
1 only or 2nd of 2 or 3 = April 24
3rd of 3 = May 8
MISSED EXAMS : If you miss an exam it can only be made up on the day of the final exam.
If you miss 2 exams (or fail to make up an exam), you will get a 0 (zero) on the 2nd missed exam.
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to
notify the instructor & contact Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSP&S) EARLY
IN THE SEMESTER so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as
possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in Rm. 110 or by phone at 619 644-7112.
(voice) or 619 644-7119 (TTY) for deaf.
Attendance/Tardiness: Attendance required. If you miss or are late to more than 6
classes you will LOSE 1 SEMESTER POINT FOR EACH DAY MISSED and 1/2 SEMESTER
POINT FOR EACH DAY TO WHICH YOU ARE LATE.
In addition, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISSED INFO due to your absence. You should
have a minimum of 2 students in the class with whom you share notes - if one of them is out
- Xerox your notes for them - they should do the same for you. NOTE: You are "present" only
if you make yourself heard by instructor when calling role or checking in after class if late.
DROP: To drop this course, you need only phone admissions to let them know. You are likely to
get an "F" for the course if you simply stop attending without notifying admissions by April 21.
STUDY HINTS : The following are some techniques "A" students have used successfully:
-Begin reading the chapters in SECTION VI from the first week in the semester so you can
use the limited time at the end to simply review (this is crucial - even for a "C")
- Make and study 3 X 5 cards to the point of total recall
- Buy and use the study guide,
- Study questions at end of chapters.
-highlighting ( 15% maximum) re-read highlighted sections only several times
-take BRIEF notes in class, reread notes after class & fill in information longhand within 24 hrs.
See Website at: http://www.michaelbloodmeteorites.com/Academia.html