Course Syllabus

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ANT2511-AM01: The Human Species

Department of Anthropology, College of Sciences

3 credits

ANT2511 Syllabus.pdf

Table of Contents

Instructor Information 

  • Instructor: Donovan M. Adams, Ph.D. (he/they)
  • Office Location: HPH409
  • Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15pm through Zoom or by appointment
  • Phone: 407-823-0951
  • Digital Contact: donovan.adams@ucf.edu or Webcourses@UCF messaging

TA Information 

  • Teaching Assistant (TA): Stephanie Fuehr (she/her)
  • Office Hours: Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 pm through Webcourses Chat or by appointment
  • Digital Contact: Webcourses@UCF messaging

Course Information

  • Term: Fall 2021
  • Course Number & Section: ANT2511-AM01
  • Course Name: The Human Species
  • Credit Hours: 3 credit hours
  • Class Meeting Days: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Class Meeting Time: 9:00AM - 10:15AM
  • Class Location: CB2 O105
  • Course Modality: P

Enrollment Requirements 

Course Prerequisites (if applicable): None
Course Co-requisites (if applicable): None
Other Enrollment Requirements (if applicable): None

Course Description

Course Catalog Description: 

Human biological variation in an evolutionary perspective.

Detailed Course Description:

Biological anthropology is the study of non-human primate and human variation, evolution, and the interaction between human biology and culture. This course explores major concepts underlying the foundation of biological anthropology, including genetics, osteology/dentition, primates, evolution, and how anthropologists can use biology to understand cultural behavior and change. We will examine the interplay of biology and culture (a biocultural approach) to understand our ancestors, our present and future, across geographical space. This course will largely be split between three major sections: 1) important foundational aspects of understanding human variation; 2) understanding primates, primate evolution, and hominin evolution; and 3) understanding the development of modern humans.

Course Materials and Resources

Required Materials/Resources

  • Essentials of Biological Anthropology, 4th Clark Spencer Larsen. (ISBN: 9780393667431)
  • Access to Webcourses@UCF

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  • Explain major areas of biological anthropological research and methodology.
  • Explain the major forces of evolution and how we can identify evolutionary changes in the hominin record.
  • Explain and evaluate human variation, including its potential causes.
  • Explain Primates and how the members are similar to each other.
  • Explain the major trends in hominin evolution, to include biological and geographic changes.
  • Critically evaluate how we can apply our knowledge of biology to understand culture.
  • Critically apply the skills and knowledge learned in this course to understanding human variation, scientific research, and social discussions outside of the classroom.

Course Activities

The course activities section should include anything a student needs to do in order to accomplish the student learning outcomes. This can include:

  • Quizzes:
    • There will be four (4) 20-40 question quizzes comprised of multiple-choice, true or false, and fill-in-the-blank questions relating to the material learned the week prior.
  • Labs:
    • There will be three (3) lab assignments throughout the class. These will be a mix of short identification problems, short answer questions, and problems to be solved. Some of these questions will involve online media, to include videos, images, and 3D models, so it is important that you are able to access these items for the labs.
  • Discussion assignments
    • There will be three (3) discussion assignments scheduled throughout the semester. These will be scored based on: 1) including scientific information learned in class and from the textbook, and 2) being complete and evidence of effort on the assignments (this part is not necessarily whether or not they are entirely correct). It is more important to me for these assignments to see that you are engaged in the material and learning rather than being 100% correct. That being said, it is evident when it is hurriedly done with no intention put into them, so please put in effort!
  • UnEssay:
    • There will be one (1) final project at the end of the semester.
    • The UnEssay is an opportunity for you to take the cold facts and figures learned in class and apply your imagination and creativity to them. This project is a chance to use the knowledge obtained in class and apply it to an interesting and fun outlet. This is also a great opportunity to think about how you can engage with the public. How do you bring science, especially science that may seem difficult or boring, to the public and make it fun, interesting, and easy to understand?
      • For this project, you have largely free reign as to how you want to do it. You get to choose the topic that we’ve covered in class and you get to present it in any way you want. The only qualifications: 1) you must make an explicit connection to a topic/subject that we have covered in class (if it does not at all relate to something in class, how can I tell that you have applied the knowledge?) and 2) it must be appropriate.
      • To get credit for this project: 1) you must submit YOUR OWN project; 2) the information provided, no matter the format,must be ACCURATE; 3) it must show evidence of EFFORT; 4) it must be THOROUGH; 5) it must be INTERESTING and CREATIVE, and 6) it must be created with the intention of how you get the public ENGAGED in the material.
      • A rubric and instructions will be provided during the first week of class.

Activity Submissions

All submissions will be turned in through pdf or Word document in the appropriate Assignments tab on Webcourses. All quizzes and exams will be conducted through the Quizzes tab on Webcourses.

Attendance/Participation

Although attendance is not required, there will be in-class activities and discussions that will not be posted to Webcourses. As such, it is important that you attend class as much as possible so that you maximize your success in this class.

Make-up Exams and Assignments

Per university policy, you are allowed to submit make-up work (or an equivalent, alternate assignment) for authorized university-sponsored activities, religious observances, or legal obligations (such as jury duty). If this participation conflicts with your course assignments, I will offer a reasonable opportunity for you to complete missed assignments and/or exams. The make-up assignment and grading scale will be equivalent to the missed assignment and its grading scale. In the case of an authorized university activity, it is your responsibility to show me a signed copy of the Program Verification Form for which you will be absent, prior to the class in which the absence occurs. In any of these cases, please contact me ahead of time to notify me of upcoming needs.

Any late assignments will have at least a 20% penalty (barring an excused absence). No make-up assignments will be allowed beyond December 3rd. No UnEssays will be accepted beyond the Final Exam period (Dec. 9th: 7-9:50am).

Assessment and Grading Procedures

The table shows the weight distribution for each assignment.

Assignment

Percentage of Grade (Points)

The UnEssay

27.78% (100)

Discussions (3)

25% (30 points each)

Quizzes (4)

22.22% (20 points each)

Labs (3)

25% (30 points each)

Total

100% (360)

 

The table shows the range for each letter grade and uses a plus/minus system.

Letter Grade

Points

A

92.51 – 100 points

A-

90 – 92.5 points

B+

87.5 – 89 points

B

82.5 – 87.49 points

B-

80 – 82.49 points

C+

77.5 – 79 points

C

72.5 – 77.49 points

C-

70 – 72.49 points

D+

67.5 – 69 points

D

62.5 – 67.49 points

D-

60 – 62.49 points

F

59 and below

Consult the latest Undergraduate or Graduate catalog for regulations and procedures regarding grading such as Incomplete grades, grade changes, and grade forgiveness.

Course Schedule

Course Schedule (Dates, assignments, and readings may change as needed. Any changes will be announced to students in class and through e-mail).

Week Dates Topic Reading

Assignments*
1 Aug 24

Class Introduction
Aug 26 What is Anthropology? 1
2 Aug 31 Evolution 2
Sep 2

Evolution

 2
3 Sep 7 Genetics 3
Sep 9 Genetics 3 Quiz #1
4 Sep 14 Population Genetics 4
Sep 16 Population Genetics 4

Lab #1
5 Sep 21 Adaptation and Growth and Development 5
Sep 23 Human Variation 5
6 Sep 28 Osteology Appendix A1-10
Sep 30 Dentition Appendix A1-10

Discussion #1
7 Oct 5 Living Primates 6

 
Oct 7 Living Primates 6

Quiz #2
8 Oct 12 Primate Behavior 7

 
Oct 14 Fossils and Dating 8

Lab #2
9 Oct 19 Primate Evolution 9

 
Oct 21 Primate Evolution 9

 
10 Oct 26 Early Hominins 10

 
Oct 28 Early Hominins 10

Quiz #3
11 Nov 2 Early Homo 11
Nov 4 Early Homo 11

Discussion #2
12 Nov 9 Late Homo 12

 
Nov 11 Veterans Day - NO CLASS

Lab #3
13 Nov 16 Modern Humans 12

 
Nov 18 Migration 12

Quiz #4
14 Nov 23 Agriculture 13

 
Nov 25

Thanksgiving Break - NO CLASS
15 Nov 30 Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology

 
Dec 2 Ethics

Discussion #3
16 Dec 7

Study Day - NO CLASS
Dec 9

Final Exam (7:00am-9:50am) - UnEssay Due

*Quizzes are due by 11:59pm on the Friday of their assigned week. For example, Quiz #1 is due at 11:59pm on September 10th.

Important Dates:

  • Sep 10: Quiz #1 due
  • Sep 30: Discussion #1 due
  • Oct 8: Quiz #2 due
  • Oct 14: Lab #1 due
  • Oct 29: Quiz #3 due
  • Nov 4: Discussion #2 due
  • Nov 11: Lab #3 due
  • Nov 19: Quiz #4
  • Nov 25: Thanksgiving Break - NO CLASS
  • Dec 2: Discussion #3 due
  • Dec 7: Study Day - NO CLASS
  • Dec 9: The UnEssay due

Classroom Policies:

  • We will discuss potentially heated, controversial information. Discussion and debate are acceptable and encouraged; however, this class is an academic safe space. This means that while different ideas may be expressed, it is expected that evidence supports your arguments and that discussion is held appropriately and respectfully. This means that no disparaging, insulting words are to be directed at other individuals in the room, beyond the class, or even towards yourself. You must respect yourself and others. Slurs, insults, and attacks are not allowed  in class. Such behavior will result in ejection from the class. Evolution and the value and equality of human life and variation (in all its forms) are embraced in and fundamental to biological anthropology; therefore, these are not topics for debate.
  • If you miss any of the submitted assignments, quizzes, labs, or exams, you have 24 hours to contact me via e-mail. Make-up exams will only be given with a valid excuse. See the calendar for the exam dates; if you have conflicts, see me immediately. There will be a late penalty applied for extensively late assignments.
  • Each week there will be a discussion board available for you to comment on the assigned reading and topics for the course. It is expected that you use this resource to post anything ranging from certain points that you found interesting, questions that came to mind about the material or how this might be applied beyond the class, interesting articles/songs/media/etc. that you came across that relate to the material for that week.
    • What you may NOT post in the discussion board: 1) answers or questions regarding the quizzes or exams; 2) any discussion regarding quizzes or exams; and 3) insults regarding fellow students, the instructor and TA, yourself, or any other person beyond the classroom.
  • All communication will be done either through Webcourses or directly to your UCF e-mail address. Be sure to have these on file and that you are checking these.
  • As office hours will take place through Zoom, I understand that the possibility of working from home may mean children and pets make an appearance from time to time. If you need to leave at any point to help take care of a situation, that is fine. Simply mute and stop the video until you are able to rejoin.

GEP Pre/Posttests


In your personal Webcourses dashboard, you will find access to the GEP Webcourses section. The GEP Pretest will be open for you to take during the first 2 weeks of the semester. The scores you earn on the GEP pretest and the GEP posttest are NOT included in your total points or final grade. The GEP pre and posttests are used by our department to determine what you learned over the course of the semester. Again, they will NOT count against you! Therefore, we ask that you please take them without your book so we can truly gain an understanding of what you learned.

Financial Aid Requirement

Federal regulations require that federal aid awards be based on courses in which students demonstrate academic engagement.

All students must complete the “Introduce Yourself” assignment on Webcourses@UCF by the end of the day on Friday, May 21st  (11:59 pm). This will be used to assess your academic engagement as compliant to federal regulations.

University Services and Resources

Academic Services and Resources

A list of available academic support and learning services is available at UCF Student Services. Click on "Academic Support and Learning Services" on the right-hand side to filter.  

Non-Academic Services and Resources

A list of non-academic support and services is also available at UCF Student Services. Click on "Support" on the right-hand side to filter.  

If you are a UCF Online student, please consult the UCF Online Student Guidelines for more information about your access to non-academic services.

Policy Statements

University-Wide Face Covering Policy for Common Spaces and Face-to-Face Classes:

To protect members of our community, everyone is required to wear a facial covering inside all common spaces including classrooms (https://policies.ucf.edu/documents/PolicyEmergencyCOVIDReturnPolicy.pdf. Students who choose not to wear facial coverings will be asked to leave the classroom by the instructor. If they refuse to leave the classroom or put on a facial covering, they may be considered disruptive (please see the Golden Rule for student behavior expectations). Faculty have the right to cancel class if the safety and well-being of class members are in jeopardy. Students will be responsible for the material that would have been covered in class as provided by the instructor.

 

Notifications in Case of Changes to Course Modality:

Depending on the course of the pandemic during the semester, the university may make changes to the way classes are offered. If that happens, please look for announcements or messages in Webcourses@UCF or Knights email about changes specific to this course.

 

Should this course shift to remote-only instruction, the university has provided several resources to assist students with learning: https://digitallearning.ucf.edu/newsroom/keeplearning/. If this change occurs, the course will include synchronous (“real time”) sessions that will also be available as a recorded session for later review in Webcourses@UCF. Students are expected to review these available sessions. Such recordings/streaming will only be available to students registered for this class. These recordings are the intellectual property of the faculty and they may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. Further, students may not share these sessions with those not in the class or upload them to any other online environment. Doing so would be a breach of the Code of Student Conduct, and, in some cases, a violation of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This also applies to any in course materials and lectures.

COVID-19 and Illness Notification:

Students who believe they may have a COVID-19 diagnosis should contact UCF Student Health Services (407-823-2509) so proper contact tracing procedures can take place.

Students should not come to campus if they are ill, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID, or if anyone living in their residence has tested positive or is sick with COVID-19 symptoms. CDC guidance for COVID-19 symptoms is located here: (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html)

Students should contact their instructor(s) as soon as possible if they miss class for any illness reason to discuss reasonable adjustments that might need to be made. When possible, students should contact their instructor(s) before missing class.

 

In Case of Faculty Illness:

If the instructor falls ill during the semester, there may be changes to this course, including having a backup instructor take over the course. Please look for announcements or mail in Webcourses@UCF or Knights email for any alterations to this course.

Course Accessibility and Disability COVID-19 Supplemental Statement:

Accommodations may need to be added or adjusted should this course shift from an on-campus to a remote format. Students with disabilities should speak with their instructor and should contact sas@ucf.edu to discuss specific accommodations for this or other courses.

 

Statement Regarding Masks and Vaccinations

UCF expects that all members of our campus community who are able to do so get vaccinated, and we expect all members of our campus community to wear masks indoors, in line with the latest CDC guidelines. Masks are required in approved clinical or health care settings.

Zoom:

Please take time to familiarize yourself with Zoom by visiting the UCF Zoom Guides (https://cdl.ucf.edu/support/webcourses/zoom/). You may choose to use Zoom on your computer, laptop, or mobile device (phone or tablet). Using this program will require a microphone and a webcam and adequate Internet bandwidth.

 

Things to know about Zoom:

  • You must sign into my Zoom session using your UCF NID and password.
  • The Zoom sessions are recorded so that they may be posted on to WebCampus following the class period.
  • Improper classroom behavior is not tolerated within Zoom sessions and may result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
  • You can contact Webcourses@UCF Support (https://cdl.ucf.edu/support/webcourses/) if you have any technical issues accessing Zoom.
  • Please be on mute when not talking and use headphones to minimize the interference of background noise.

 

Academic Integrity:

Students should familiarize themselves with UCF’s Rules of Conduct at <http://osc.sdes.ucf.edu/process/roc>. According to Section 1, “Academic Misconduct,” students are prohibited from engaging in

  1. Unauthorized assistance: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record. The unauthorized possession of examination or course-related material also constitutes cheating.
  2. Communication to another through written, visual, electronic, or oral means: The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment, or project.
  3. Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling of course material to another person, student, and/or uploading course material to a third-party vendor without authorization or without the express written permission of the university and the instructor. Course materials include but are not limited to class notes, Instructor’s PowerPoints, course syllabi, tests, quizzes, labs, instruction sheets, homework, study guides, handouts, etc.
  4. Falsifying or misrepresenting the student’s own academic work.
  5. Plagiarism: Using or appropriating another’s work without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.
  6. Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once without the express written permission of the instructor.
  7. Helping another violate academic behavior standards.
  8. Soliciting assistance with academic coursework and/or degree requirements.

Responses to Academic Dishonesty, Plagiarism, or Cheating
Students should also familiarize themselves with the procedures for academic misconduct in UCF’s student handbook, The Golden Rule<http://goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/docs/goldenrule.pdf>. UCF faculty members have a responsibility for students’ education and the value of a UCF degree, and so seek to prevent unethical behavior and respond to academic misconduct when necessary. Penalties for violating rules, policies, and instructions within this course can range from a zero on the exercise to an “F” letter grade in the course. In addition, an Academic Misconduct report could be filed with the Office of Student Conduct, which could lead to disciplinary warning, disciplinary probation, or deferred suspension or separation from the University through suspension, dismissal, or expulsion with the addition of a “Z” designation on one’s transcript.

Being found in violation of academic conduct standards could result in a student having to disclose such behavior on a graduate school application, being removed from a leadership position within a student organization, the recipient of scholarships, participation in University activities such as study abroad, internships, etc.

Let’s avoid all of this by demonstrating values of honesty, trust, and integrity. No grade is worth compromising your integrity and moving your moral compass. Stay true to doing the right thing: take the zero, not a shortcut.

Course Accessibility:

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing access and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who need access to course content due to course design limitations should contact the professor as soon as possible. Students should also connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) <http://sas.sdes.ucf.edu/> (Ferrell Commons 185, sas@ucf.edu, phone 407-823-2371). For students connected with SAS, a Course Accessibility Letter may be created and sent to professors, which informs faculty of potential course access and accommodations that might be necessary and reasonable. Determining reasonable access and accommodations requires consideration of the course design, course learning objectives and the individual academic and course barriers experienced by the student. Further conversation with SAS, faculty and the student may be warranted to ensure an accessible course experience.

 

Campus Safety:

Emergencies on campus are rare, but if one should arise during class, everyone needs to work together. Students should be aware of their surroundings and familiar with some basic safety and security concepts.

  • In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.
  • Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Students should make a note of the guide’s physical location and review the online version at <http://emergency.ucf.edu/emergency_guide.html>.
  • Students should know the evacuation routes from each of their classrooms and have a plan for finding safety in case of an emergency.
  • If there is a medical emergency during class, students may need to access a first-aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn where those are located, see <http://www.ehs.ucf.edu/AEDlocations-UCF> (click on link from menu on left).
  • To stay informed about emergency situations, students can sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to <https://my.ucf.edu> and logging in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the toolbar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on the Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”
  • Students with special needs related to emergency situations should speak with their instructors outside of class.
  • To learn about how to manage an active-shooter situation on campus or elsewhere, consider viewing this video (<https://youtu.be/NIKYajEx4pk>).

Deployed Active Duty Military Students:

Students who are deployed active duty military and/or National Guard personnel and require accommodation should contact their instructors as soon as possible after the semester begins and/or after they receive notification of deployment to make related arrangements.

 

Make-Up Assignments for Authorized University Events or Co-curricular Activities:

Students who represent the university in an authorized event or activity (for example, student-athletes) and who are unable to meet a course deadline due to a conflict with that event must provide the instructor with documentation in advance to arrange a make-up. No penalty will be applied. For more information, see the UCF policy at <https://policies.ucf.edu/documents/4-401.pdf>

 

Any late assignments will have at least a 20% penalty (barring an excused absence). No make-up assignments will be allowed beyond December 3rd. No UnEssays will be accepted beyond the Final Exam period (Dec. 9th: 7-9:50am).

 

Religious Observances:

Students must notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss class for a religious observance. For more information, see the UCF policy at <http://regulations.ucf.edu/chapter5/documents/5.020ReligiousObservancesFINALJan19.pdf>.

 

In-class Recording

Students may record video or audio of a class lecture for a class in which the student is enrolled for their own personal educational use.  A class lecture is defined as a formal or methodical oral presentation as part of a university course intended to present information or teach students about a particular subject. Recording classroom activities other than class lectures, including but not limited to lab sessions, student presentations (whether individually or part of a group), class discussion (except when incidental to and incorporated within a class lecture), clinical presentations such as patient history, academic exercises involving student participation, test or examination administrations, field trips, and private conversations is prohibited. It will be made explicit when lectures have begun and ended. Recordings may not be used as a substitute for class participation and class attendance, and may not be published or shared without the written consent of the faculty member. Failure to adhere to these requirements may constitute a violation of the University’s Student Code of Conduct as described in the Golden Rule. The instructor may also record lecture (only lecture) periods of the class.

 

Diversity and Inclusion:

The University of Central Florida considers the diversity of its students, faculty, and staff to be a strength and critical to its educational mission. UCF expects every member of the university community to contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture for all in its classrooms, work environments, and at campus events. Dimensions of diversity can include sex, race, age, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, intellectual and physical ability, sexual orientation, income, faith and non-faith perspectives, socio-economic class, political ideology, education, primary language, family status, military experience, cognitive style, and communication style. The individual intersection of these experiences and characteristics must be valued in our community.

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment, and retaliation. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find resources available to support the victim, including confidential resources and information concerning reporting options at www.shield.ucf.edu and http://cares.sdes.ucf.edu/.

If there are aspects of the design, instruction, and/or experiences within this course that result in barriers to your inclusion or accurate assessment of achievement, please notify the instructor as soon as possible and/or contact Student Accessibility Services.

For more information on diversity and inclusion, Title IX, accessibility, or UCF’s complaint processes contact:

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Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due