Anthropology 1L-Physical Anthropology Lab

Room 6303

Professor Lise Mifsud, M.A.

E. Mail: mifsud_l@yahoo.com

Office Hours: T.B.A.

Office Location: Cubical 2566 in the 6900 building

Course Description:  This course will introduce students to osteology, primatology, paleoanthropology, and human variation, utilizing a hands-on approach.  Evolutionary theory is the theoretical framework utilized throughout the course.

Course Requirements:  There will be three lab exams/practicals worth 100 points each; in-class quizzes/lab exercises, and take-home lab exercises (point value varies); and a forensic lab exercise (worth 100 points). 

Policy on missing a quiz:    If you miss a quiz and have a valid medical excuse (medical emergency or death in the family) a make-up quiz will be given.  You must notify me prior to the quiz and provide documentation!!! Failure to do so will result in zero points for the quiz!

There will be no opportunity to make-up a lab practical!!

Cheating on an exam will not be tolerated and you will receive zero points for your efforts.

Grading:  The following is the grade scale utilized in this class and is based on the points earned of the total points available.

A=100-90%; B=89-80%; C=79-70%; D=69-60%; F=59% and below

 

Course Texts:

            Required Texts:

                        France, Diane

Lab Manual and Workbook for Physical Anthropology, Fifth Edition.

                        White, T.D. and Folkens, P.

                                    The Human Bone Manual, 2005.

           

 

 

Course Outline and Reading Assignments**

Topic                                                                                             Chapter*

Welcome back! Discuss syllabus                                                       N/A

Human Osteology                                                                       3 (LM) 59-76

Bone Biology & Variation                                                                4 (W)

Anatomical Terminology                                                           6 (W)

Skull                                                                                         7 (W)-review

Dentition                                                                                   8 (W)-review

Lab Exam I                                                                    

Human Osteology                                                                       3 (LM) 76-85

Biological Classification                                                                 2 (LM)

Comparison of the Skeletons of Quadrupeds,                              4 (LM)

    Bipeds, and Brachiators                                                           

Lab Exam 2                                                                         

Comparing the Living Primates                                                       5 (LM)

Observation of Living Primate Behavior and                                        6 (LM)

    Morphology                                                                   

Fieldtrip to Atascadero Zoo                                               6.1, 6.2, 6.3(LM)

Human Skeletal Variation and Forensic Anthropology                           12 (LM)

Field Procedures for Skeletal Remains                                              2 (W)

The Skeletal Biology of Individuals & Populations                      19 (W)-review

 

Final Forensic Lab Exercise Due                                                        T.B.A.

 

Final Lab Exam                           Refer to Class Schedule for day and time

 

Specific instructions and due dates will be provided for each in-class lab exercise, quiz and at-home lab exercise. 

 

Regular attendance and lab participation are mandatory.

 

You should come to class prepared for that day’s lab.

*LM=Lab Manual; W=White’s Human Bone Manual

**This schedule is subject to change to accommodate class pace, films, fieldtrips, etc.