Download WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

WHATCOM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE INFORMATION FORM
Please Note: Course Summary Form must accompany this form
COURSE DETAILS
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:
ANTH 201 Physical Anthropology
(replaced with ANTH&205 to match the current CCN for the Anthroplogy sequence)
COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
In this course students will:
1. Demonstrate college-level communication skills in the following ways: apply critical
thinking skills to what is read and heard, identify main points and implications in reading
material, write at college level on out of class assignments and exam essays, follow
expected format and citation methods on long report, and present written material
clearly.
2. Demonstrate thinking skills by analyzing what is presented in class, reasoning
beyond basic concepts, and using materials presented to reach new conclusions.
3. Demonstrate quantitative reasoning in the interpretation of graphs, models and
numerical data, and use these to show that he/she understands course content.
4. Understand the interdependence of humans and the natural world in the context of
human biological origins and adaptation to diverse environments.
5. Demonstrate library research skills through study of a focused topic and scientific
observation skills in the study of primate behavior at the zoo.
6. Integrate knowledge gained with other learning, and develop awareness of the beliefs
and opinions of self and others on issues relating to human genetics and evolution.
7. Gain an awareness of humans as a biological species.
8. Understand the basic principles of genetics and evolution.
9. Understand the patterns of human genetic variation and adaptation, and problems
with the concept of race when applied to humans.
10. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of vertebrate evolution and primate adaptations.
11. Demonstrate a knowledge of hominid origins and the course of hominid evolution
leading to modern humans.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of important aspects of human
social and cultural behavior, based on study of primate behavior and fossil and
archaeological evidence.
COURSE CONTENT:
1. Introduction to Anthropology; scientific research and the history of evolutionary
thought.
2. Genetic inheritance patterns and the genetic code.
3. Population genetics and microevolution.
4. Natural selection and macroevolution.
5. Biological classification of animals; living Primate diversity and adaptations.
6. Primate social behavior.
7. Comparative anatomy and biochemistry of Primates (including humans).
8. Research methods for study and dating of fossils.
9. Origins of hominids from early Primates, based on fossil evidence.
10. Human evolution from early hominids to Homo sapiens.
11. Human biological adjustments, genetic variation and race.
REQUIRED EVALUATION METHODS:
Class participation/discussion, written responses to readings and films, written quizzes
and exams, Primate Behavior study based on zoo observations and library research (or
optional term paper).
TEXT BOOKS:
Stein and Rowe, Physical Anthropology or comparable text.
Annual Editions, Physical Anthropology or comparable reader.
COURSDET.DOC 9/98