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Oxnard Course Outline Course ID: ANTH R101 Curriculum Committee Approval Date: 10/28/2015 Catalog Start Date: Fall 2016 COURSE OUTLINE OXNARD COLLEGE I. Course Identification and Justification: A. Proposed course id: ANTH R101 Banner title: Biological Anthropology Full title: Introduction to Biological Anthropology Previous course id: ANTH R101 Banner title: Biological Anthropology Full title: Introduction to Biological Anthropology B. Reason(s) course is offered: Biological anthropology is a basic course in the sciences. It is required for the Anthropology AA-T. It is on local, IGETC and CSU GE lists as a biological science. C. Reason(s) for current outline revision: Creation of the Honors Course D. C-ID: 1. C-ID Descriptor: 2. C-ID Status: E. Co-listed as: Current: None Previous: II. Catalog Information: A. Units: Current: 3.00 Previous: 3.00 B. Course Hours: 1. In-Class Contact Hours: Lecture: 52.5 Activity: 0 Lab: 0 2. Total In-Class Contact Hours: 52.5 3. Total Outside-of-Class Hours: 105 4. Total Student Learning Hours: 157.5 C. Prerequisites, Corequisites, Advisories, and Limitations on Enrollment: 1. Prerequisites Current: Previous: 2. Corequisites Current: Previous: 3. Advisories: Current: Previous: 4. Limitations on Enrollment: Current: Previous: D. Catalog description: Current: This course introduces students to the study of human evolution including the concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and their application to the human species. Issues and topics will include, but are not limited to, genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as foundation of the course. Credit will not be awarded for both the honors and regular versions of a course. Credit will be awarded only for the first course completed with a grade of C or “P” or better. Previous, if different: This course introduces the concepts, methods of inquiry, and scientific explanations for biological evolution and their application to the human species. Issues and topics will include, but are not limited to, genetics, evolutionary theory, human variation and biocultural adaptations, comparative primate anatomy and behavior, and the fossil evidence for human evolution. The scientific method serves as foundation of the course. E. Fees: Current: $ None Previous, if different: $ F. Field trips: Current: Will be required: [ ] May be required: [X] Will not be required: [ ] Previous, if different: Will be required: [ ] May be required: [ ] Will not be required: [X] G. Repeatability: Current: A - Not designed as repeatable Previous: A - Not designed as repeatable H. Credit basis: Current: Letter graded only [x] Pass/no pass [ ] Student option [ ] Previous, if different: Letter graded only [ ] Pass/no pass [ ] Student option [ ] I. Credit by exam: Current: Petitions may be granted: [ ] Petitions will not be granted: [X] Previous, if different: Petitions may be granted: [ ] Petitions will not be granted: [ ] III. Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: A. Describe the scientific process as a methodology for understanding the natural world. B. Define the scope of anthropology and discuss the role of biological anthropology within the discipline. C. Identify the main contributors to the development of evolutionary theory. D. Give examples of genetic illnesses and the mechanisms by which they are transmitted. E. Explain the basic principles of Mendelian, molecular and population genetics. F. Evaluate how the forces of evolution produce genetic and phenotypic change over time. G. Summarize the major events in human evolution and prehistory. H. Demonstrate an understanding of classification, morphology and behavior of living primates. I. Summarize methods used in interpreting the fossil record, including dating techniques. J. Recognize the major groups of hominin fossils and describe alternate phylogenies for human evolution. K. Identify the biological and cultural factors responsible for human variation. L. Summarize the major migrations out of the African homeland, into Asia, Europe, Australia, North and South America, and into the Pacific Islands. IV. Student Learning Outcomes: A. Students will understand the importance of evolutionary theory, pre and post Darwin, genetics and heredity. B. Student will be able to draw independent conclusions and use molecular, fossil, climate and other data to explain primate origins, human origins, human diversity and adaptability. C. Students will read, comprehend and interpret various types of published ideas. D. Student will understand and use taxonomic principles to classify primates, particularly members of the genus Australopithecus and the genus homo, and be able to make biologic and behavioral comparisons between Homo sapiens and other primates. E. Student will understand and communicate some of the complex inter-relationships between Homo sapiens and the planet on which they dwell, including how they learned to make tools, develop language and technology. F. Student will develop and improve information retrieval and management skills, particularly the use of online resources. Assessment: objective test questions, diagramming, pop quizzes, observation of online behavior, in class discussion, online discussion homework. G. Students will apply logic, critical thinking, quantitative and qualitative reasoning to anthropological data and be able to distinguish amongst scientific laws, principles, hypotheses and theories. H. Students will master concepts and methods central to the anthropological perspective, e.g. culture, human evolution, genetics, linguistics, archaeology, prehistory, diversity, physical type, language, gender/sex, cultural relativism, holism, social structure, historical and cross-cultural comparisons, kinship, participant-observation and globalism. I. Students will be able to identify major figures in the history of anthropology, the major schools/orientation of anthropological theory, and important trends in contemporary anthropological theory, methods and ethics J. Students will improve information retrieval and organizational skills necessary to the current practice of anthropology, including the use of online and library resources. K. Students will apply their knowledge to the solution of human problems, both local and global, in both theoretical and practical settings, including a more mature understanding of their own place in society, in the workplace, and in academia L. Students will use data, including genetic information and fossils to explain the process of human evolution and our migration throughout the globe, and communicate anthropological perspectives on ancestry and race V. Course Content: Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to: A. The Nature of Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific Method 1. Theories and hypotheses 2. Empiricism and rationality 3. Laws and principles B. Perspectives of Biological Anthropology 1. The history of anthropology 2. Paleontology, archaeology, molecular anthropology as related disciplines. 3. The terms hominid/hominine: the rise of bipedal primates. 4. Evolution as distinct from speciation. C. History and development of biological evolutionary thought 1. Classical views 2. Linnaeus and taxonomy 3. Darwin, Malthus, Cuvier, Lamarck and other early thinkers 4. Watson and Crick 5. Hardy and Weinberg D. Basics of Human Molecular Genetics 1. Introduction to cells and their evolution. 2. Somatic cells vs. sex cells. 3. The human chromosome, the structures of DNA, RNA & mitochondrial DNA. 4. The role of mutations, random assortment and cross-over effects in constituting a genome. 5. Cellular metabolism and diversification of cell types over time. E. Mendelian and Population Genetics 1. Gene pools, local breeding population, selective pressures, gene drift and gene flow. 2. Adaptive radiation and founder effect. 3. Hardy-Weinberg’s Equilibrium Equation. 4. Macroevolution vs. microevolution. 5. Exogamy and endogamy. 6. Genetic markers and illnesses in particular populations. F. Mechanisms of Evolution 1. Processes and scale of evolution; adaptations and mutations 2. Rise of life, invertebrates and vertebrates, the role of climate change. 3. Evolution of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and primates. G. Comparative primate taxonomy, anatomy and behavior 1. Characteristics of primates. 2. Early primates vs. hominoids, the rise of the apes. 3. Pongids vs. hominids. 4. Pongid behavior. H. The nature of the fossil record and dating techniques 1. How fossils are made and discovered 2. Stratigraphic and radiographic dating techniques 3. Other dating techniques I. Fossil and genetic evidence of human evolution 1. Early Hominines a. Pre-Australopiths. b. Australopithecines and the story of Lucy. c. Climate variables in the rise of the hominids. d. The importance and function of bipedalism. e. Comparative anatomy of bipedalism and other forms of locomotion. 2. The Rise of the Genus Homo a. Increases in brain size, brain morphology and function. b. Behavioral traits of fossil members of the genus. c. Homo habilis, its adaptive radiation, capacities and descendants, the Oldowan toolkit. d. Homo ergaster, its adaptive radiation, its brain capacities, and the long- lasting nature of the Acheulian toolkit. e. Homo antecessor and other archaic members of the genus f. Homo neanderthalensis 3. Mitochondrial DNA and the Y Chromosome: What do they tell
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