Instructor Description Texts Evaluation Goals Schedule

ANTH 311D HUMAN EVOLUTION Fall 2009 MW 1000-1150 HSS 106 4 credits

Conroy, Glenn C. 2005 Reconstructing Human Origins, 2nd edition. New York: W. W. Norton.  Additional readings via WOU Online.

Please note: the articles you seek out in the course of your term paper research are also "texts" for this course. If you have not yet used the Hamersly library periodical indexes, go to the library and request instruction now. If you have not previously written a documented research paper, pay close attention to the instructions in the paper guide, use the Writing Center, and ask questions. Working with scientific literature is an important skill for anyone living in the 21st century.

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ADVICE and EVALUATION
Attendance and participation are mandatory!  A rich mixture of lecture, discussion, and student presentations occupy our time at each meeting.  As for any four credit, upper division class, you should plan to spend a minimum of twelve hours per week outside of class in reading, note taking, review, researching, writing, and drawing.  In the unlikely event that you miss a class meeting, you are responsible for getting the notes and any assignments from another member of the class. Do not wait until the next class meeting to do this.

Participation in class requires that you undertake a close reading of the assignments and bring written reading notes and completed study questions to class. In addition, you research a current question or problem in human evolution, write a research paper, and present to the class in week 10.  The first three quizzes include term identifications and essay questions based on the readings, lectures, films and discussion. The fourth quiz covers Week 10 presentations. I do not normally give "make-up" exams.  If circumstances beyond your control force you to miss an exam, contact me immediately (phone, email, or note left with Social Science Division secretary) and then come to see me as soon as possible, prepared to document your circumstances.

I place a high value on academic honesty and expect my students to do the same. Please ensure you understand the definition of academic dishonesty in the Code of Student Responsibility. I refer apparent cases of academic dishonesty to the Coordinator of Campus Judicial Affairs for ajudication. If you have any questions or concerns about how you have quoted, paraphrased or cited sources, seek my assistance before you submit your work.

Additional advice provided to students in introductory classes.

• The historical context of discoveries about hominin and human origins.
• The material evidence related to human evolution.
• The techniques used to collect and extract this evidence.
• The methods used to interpret this evidence and to reconstruct the biology and behavior of extinct hominins.
• Current models of the evolutionary paths of hominins.
• Contemporary ideas about the influence of environmental change on the timing and tempo of human evolution.

*You must take the exam at the scheduled time unless you have written permission for an alternate time from LAS Dean Scheck.

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