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ANTH 1130 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

ANTH 1130 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Focuses on the range of human genetic variation and adaptation that is demonstrated in living populations today, comparisons of biology and behavior between human and nonhuman primates and examination of our human prehistory as outlined by the fossil record.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Be acquainted with the field of Physical Anthropology.
  • Develop a greater understanding of human evolution and the behavior of non-human primates.
  • Better understand human evolution and how our biology and culture affect our evolution.
  • Better understand how human genetics plays a part in our daily lives.
  • Contemplate the future of human diversity through biology, culture, and genetics. 

 

Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:
  • Introduction to Evolution and Genetics
  • Living Peoples and Primates
  • The Fossil Record
  • The Origins of Modern Humans and our Future
Specific Course Requirements:

Since the class will be entirely online, each student will need to have access to a computer as well as the internet. Students will be responsible for completing work and meeting deadlines on their own. Students will also need to access all of the course materials in D2L.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Grading Procedures:

Letter grades for this course will be assigned based on the following scale.

Assigned Grade

Point RangeAssigned Grade
801 - 890 pointsA
712 - 800 pointsB
623 - 711 pointsC
534 - 622 pointsD
under 534 pointsF

Graded Items

DescriptionPoints
14 Quizzes @20 points each480
14 Discussions @10 points each. 28 Responses @5 points each280
3 Papers @100 points each300
3 Benchmarks @10 points each30
  
Total points890

 

Grading Scale:
Assignments and Projects:
Quizzes:
  • Students will be expected to complete 14 online chapter quizzes. Each quiz will have 20 multiple choice questions worth 1 point each for a total of 20 points per quiz. You will have 60 minutes to complete each quiz.
 
Discussion Posts:
  • Students will need to complete one discussion initial post per chapter. Each post needs to be 1 to 2 paragraphs long and answer the question fully. Each discussion post will be worth 10 points each.
  • Students will need to respond to two other student’s discussion posts for each discussion. Each response post will be worth 5 points each.
  • The total points possible for each discussion assignment is 20 points.
 
Research Papers:
  • Directions:
    • To complete each paper, you will be assigned a category of animals (ex. bird). You will then choose three breeds or species of that animal category, such as flamingo, robin, and mockingbird.
    • Each Paper will have an accompanying Benchmark assignment, where you will submit a Word document with a list of your three breeds or species, as well as three sources you will be using. The sources or references need to be in APA format, and at least one needs to be a peer-reviewed article or book. These assignments are worth 10 points each.
    • All three papers need to be at least 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced, and 12-point font with an accompanying bibliography page in APA format.
    • Each paper is worth 100 points and will be graded based on content completeness, research thoroughness, both in-text and bibliography citations correctness, as well as the overall quality of grammar and formatting.

 

  • First Paper:
    • In Module 1, you will complete Benchmark 1 and Paper 1. Benchmark 1 – Due along with Chapter 2 assignments Paper 1 – Due along with Chapter 4 assignments
    • Instructions: You will submit an at least 3 - 4-page essay paper, which details each of your three breeds or species of your assigned animal category’s sexual dimorphism as well as compares and contrast the similarities and differences between the three.
  • Second Paper:
    • In Module 2, you will complete Benchmark 2
    • Benchmark 2 – Due along with Chapter 7 assignments
    • In Module 3, you will complete Paper 2.
      • Paper 2 – Due along with Chapter 9 assignments Instructions: You will submit an at least 3 - 4-page essay paper, which details each of your three breeds or species of your assigned animal category’s mating practices as well as compares and contrast the similarities and differences between the three.
  • Third Paper:
    • In Module 4, you will complete Benchmark 3 and Paper 3.
    • Benchmark 3 – Due along with Chapter 12 assignments
    • Paper 3 – Due along with Chapter 14 assignments Instructions: You will submit an at least 3 - 4-page essay paper, which details each of your three breeds of your assigned animal category’s selective breeding as well as compares and contrast the similarities and differences between the three.
Class Participation:
  • Students are encouraged to communicate with other students on the Discussion board, by posting two responses per discussion assignment.
  • Students are expected to communicate with the instructor via email within D2L
  • Students are required to check the course calendar for all assignment due dates
Late Policy:

Each week one module will be due. Students are expected to complete the module work on time. Late work will not be accepted unless the students can demonstrate extenuating circumstances. Please email the instructor with any questions or concerns about completing the work on time. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021