161. Introduction to Biological
Anthropology. (4). (NS). (BS).
The course explores the evolutionary basis for human variability.
For this purpose, the course will deal with a review of principles
of human evolution, fossil evidence, relationship among human
and non-human primates in behavioral and morphological characteristics, human inter-population differences, and environmental factors that account for these differences. (Frisancho)
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Times, Location, and Availability
362. Problems of Race. Sophomore
standing. (3). (NS). (BS).
This is a course about race as a scientific concept in western
society. It focuses on the historical development of the race
concept in science, how science has been used to validate social
constructions of race, and how social constructions of race have
influenced science. In so doing we will see what the role of science
has been (and can be) in promoting social discrimination. Further, we examine the genetic and anatomical nature of human variation
to see if it is compatible with the idea of race, and we also
look into the biological consequences of race, from demographic
change to pathology and disease. (Caspari)
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365. Human Evolution. Sophomore
standing. (4). (NS). (BS).
Human evolution has been a biological process with both social
and physical aspects. Through lectures, discussion section, laboratory, and reading, the interrelated process of behavioral and physical
change is outlined for the human line. Emphasis is placed on evolutionary
mechanisms, and context is provided through an understanding of the pre-human primates. The human story begins with origins and the appearance of unique human features such as bipedality, the
loss of cutting canines, the appearance of continual sexual receptivity, and the development of complex social interactions. An early adaptive
shift sets the stage for the subsequent evolution of intelligence, technology, and the changes in physical form that are the consequence
of the unique feedback system involving cultural and biological
change. The "Eve" theory and other ideas about the origin
of races and their development and relationships are discussed
in this context. Class participation and discussion are emphasized, and there is a required discussion/ laboratory section for elaboration
of lecture topics and supervised hands-on experience with primate
skeletal material and replicas of human fossils. Student evaluations
are based on three examinations, laboratory quizzes, and a laboratory
exam. Cost:2
WL:2 ,4 (Wolpoff)
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399. Honors in Biological
Anthropology and Anthropology/Zoology. Senior standing
and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May
be repeated for credit twice.
Seniors who choose to enter the Honors program undertake
a senior project under the supervision of a member of the faculty
or other qualified person. Most often this takes the form of an
original paper of greater scope than is possible in an ordinary
term paper, and it gives the student experience in conducting
and writing up his or her own research. Students who are interested
in joining the senior Honors program should consult with the departmental
Honors advisor for biological anthropology, Frank Livingstone.
Previous participation in the College Honors Program is not a
prerequisite for joining the senior Honors program.
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450. Molecular Anthropology.
At least one anthropology or biology course. (3).
(Excl).
This course will cover, in detail, how to collect various
kinds of molecular data. This includes polymorphisms involving
PCR amplicon size, RFLP's, STR's, and DNA nucleotide and protein
amino acid sequences. The theories behind these methods will be
discussed so that students will understand the nature of the data
being collected. This is the prerequisite course for the Molecular
Anthropology Lab course, and provides the necessary background theory to learn how to actually do these procedures in lab. The
second third of the course involves analysis of molecular data, and encompasses basic population genetic techniques for the analysis
of molecular genetic data. These include computation of genetic
distance, heterogeneity, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium from actual
data. The final third of the course will involve either presentations
of critiques and explanations of published works or novel analyses
of data acquired from the literature or from online databases
(Genbank, GDB, etc.). The course pack will involve readings
from the field. Cost:1
WL:3 (Merriwether)
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Times, Location, and Availability
469. Topics in Biological
Anthropology. Permission of instructor. (2-4). (Excl).
(BS).
Section 001 – Human Nature. (2 credits). This is an advanced
seminar in evolutionary psychology. Topics include: sexual selection, mating systems theory, parental investment, reciprocity, morality, and religion. Students will read both a popular book (Robert Wright's The Moral Animal) as well as original scientific articles.
Requirement: A previous course that explores behavior from an
evolutionary perspective. Grading will be based on participation
in discussion (no lectures) and one term paper. (Strassmann)
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Times, Location, and Availability
471. Undergraduate Reading
and Research in Anthropology. Permission of instructor.
(1-3). (Excl). A maximum of three credits of independent reading
may be included in a concentration plan in anthropology. (INDEPENDENT).
May be repeated for a total of six credits.
Laboratory training and work in the techniques used in various
aspects of research in biological anthropology.
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Times, Location, and Availability
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