Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
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COURSE TITLE: |
Human Evolution |
CRN: |
90973 |
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COURSE CODE: |
ANTH 270.3 |
TERM: |
T1 2024–2025 |
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CLASS SECTION: |
01 |
DATES: |
04 Sept – 04 Dec 2024 |
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LECTURE LOCATION: LECTURE TIME:
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Room 132, Archaeology Bldg. (55 Campus Drive) MWF, 12:30–1:20 |
LAB LOCATIONS LAB TIMES: |
Room 131, Archaeology Bldg. L01, W 2:30–3:50 OR L02, W 4:00–5:20 OR L03, Th 2:30–3:50 OR L04, Th 4:00–5:20 |
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DEPARTMENT: |
Anthropology Room 123, Archaeology Bldg. 306-966-4188 |
CANVAS COURSE SITE: |
https://canvas.usask.ca/courses/104901 |
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PROFESSOR: |
Dr. Angela Lieverse Room 205, Archaeology Bldg. 306-966-7097 Office Hours: by appt. |
LAB INSTRUCTOR:
GTA: |
Maryann Scott
Chenhe Yang (rlz369@mail.usask.ca) |
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that the Saskatoon campus of the University of Saskatchewan is on Treaty Six Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nation and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. We recognize that in the course of your studies you will spend time learning in other traditional territories and Métis homelands. We wish you safe, productive, and respectful encounters in these places.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a comprehensive examination of human evolution that emphasizes the evolutionary history, anatomy, and behaviour of non-human primates and early human ancestors. Laboratory sessions will familiarize students with mammalian skeletal and dental morphology and adaptative variation, beginning with the domestic cat and living non-human primates, then moving to fossil casts of early primates and our hominin (early human) ancestors. ANTH 270 is a prerequisite for more advanced courses in biological anthropology, including human osteology, paleopathology, and bioarchaeology. Prerequisite: 24 credit units of university courses including: ARCH/ANTH 112.3; or both of BIOL 120.3 & 121.3; or consent of the instructor. Students with credit for ARCH 270.3 may not take this course.
LEARNING AND TEACHING CONTEXT
This is an in-person course that includes required in-person laboratory sessions and examinations (midterm, final, and lab exams). Lectures will be delivered in-person and will NOT be recorded, except when the professor is away (see class schedule below). Lecture slides without images will be provided to students prior to each class. For pre-recorded lectures (when the professor is away), slides will not be provided. Students are encouraged to attend lectures as much as possible.
Laboratory sessions will be held in-person beginning in Week 2 (September 11–12). Students are required to attend all lab sessions as scheduled. If they are unable to attend for any reason, they must contact the lab instructor as soon as possible. One or more short introductory videos will be posted on Canvas a few days before each lab session; students are expected to view the videos prior to attending the lab so that they arrive prepared.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the long-term trends and trajectories in
primate and hominin evolution and cultural development;
- Identify the main features of general mammalian skeletal and dental anatomy and
distinguish morphological traits particular to primates and hominins;
- Explain primate and hominin morphological variability within the context of broader
environmental and cultural influences; and
- Critically assess scientific debates and scholarly developments, especially when new
discoveries lead to dynamic changes in understanding and interpretation (as is
common in the paleoanthropology, the study of fossil hominins).
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Larsen CS. 2020. Our Origins: Discovering Biological Anthropology, Fifth Edition. New York: WW Norton& Co., Inc.
SUGGESTED LABORATORY RESOURCE
Whitehead PF, Sacco WK, Hochgraf SB. 2005. A Photographic Atlas for Physical Anthropology, Brief Edition. Englewood, CO: Morton Publishing Co.
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
04 September – Course Intro; 01. Evolutionary Thought (prof away, pre-recorded)
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.1 (p.17–22), Ch.2 (p.27–33, 37–41, two-page
spread on 42–43), Ch.10 (two-page spread on 318–319)
06 September – 02. Geological Time Scale & Evolution of Life (prof away, pre-recorded)
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.2 (two-page spread on 34–35)
WEEK 2
09 September – 03. Mammals
11 September – 04. The Mammalian Skeleton
11–12 September – Lab 1. The Mammalian Skeleton, Felis Catus
13 September – 05. Understanding Genetics
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.2 (section 2.3: p.41, 44–49), Ch. 3 (all)
WEEK 3
16 September – 06. The Order Primates
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.6 (p.167–187, two-page spread on 188–189)
18 September – 07. Strepsirrhines and Tarsiers
Required Readings: Larson, Ch.6 (p.187, 190–193)
18–19 September – Lab 2. Strepsirrhines and Tarsiers
20 September - 08. Evolutionary Mechanisms and Speciation
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.4 (all)
WEEK 4
23 September - 09. Anthropoid Primates: Ceboids
Required Readings (for this and the next three lectures): Larson, Ch.6 (p.193–
203, Ch. 7 (all), Appendix (A5–6)
25 September - 10. Anthropoid Primates: Cercopithecoids
25–26 September - Lab 3. Anthropoid Primates: Ceboids and Cercopithecoids
27 September - 11. Anthropoid Primates: Non-human Hominoids
WEEK 5
30 September – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – NO CLASS
02 October – 12. Anthropoid Primates: Non-human Hominoids (cont.)
02–03 October – Lab 4. Anthropoid Primates: Non-human Hominoids
04 October – 13. Fossilization and Dating Methods
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.8 (all)
WEEK 6
07 October – 14. Human Evolutionary Trends
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.1 (p.13–17), Ch.10 (p.311–317, 320–325)
09 October – 15. Introduction to the Modern Human Skeleton: Appendicular
Required Readings: Larsen, Appendix (A1–4 and A7–10)
09–10 October – Lab Review (in your regularly scheduled lab time)
11 October – LAB EXAM 1 (Labs 1–4)
WEEK 7
14 October – Thanksgiving – NO CLASS
16 October – 16. Introduction to the Modern Human Skeleton: Axial and Dental
Required Readings: Larsen, Appendix (A1–4 and A7–10)
16–17 October – Lab 5. The Human Skeleton
18 October – 17. The First Primates
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.9 (p.275–285)
WEEK 8
21 October – MIDTERM EXAM (material up to and including Lecture 16)
WEEK 8 (continued)
23 October – 18. The First Anthropoid Primates
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.9 (p.286–307)
23–24 October – Lab 6. Early (Pre-Hominin) Primates
25 October – 19. The Earliest Hominins
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.10 (p.325–334)
WEEK 9
28 October – 20. Early Hominins: The Australopithecines
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.10 (p.334–351)
30 October – 21. Early Hominins: First Members of the Genus Homo (pre-recorded)
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.11 (p.355–361)
30–31 October – Lab 7. Early Hominins
01 November – 22. Early Hominin Adaptations (professor away, pre-recorded)
WEEK 10
04 November – 23. Later Hominins: Homo erectus and the gang
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.11 (p.361–391), Ch.12 (H. floresiensis, p.429–
431)
06 November – 24. Later Hominins: Transitional Humans
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.12 (p.399–413)
06–07 November – Lab 8. Later Hominins
08 November – 25. Later Hominin Adaptations
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.12 (p. 413–421, two-page spread on 422–423)
WEEK 11
11 November – Remembrance Day – NO CLASS
13 November – Fall Term Break – NO CLASS
15 November – Fall Term Break – NO CLASS
WEEK 12
18 November – 26. The Origin of Anatomically Modern Humans
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.12 (p.395–399, 421–429, 431–439)
20 November – 27. The Upper Paleolithic
20–21 November – Lab Review (in your regularly scheduled lab time)
22 November – LAB EXAM 2 (Labs 5–8)
WEEK 13
25 November – 28. Global Migrations
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.12 (p. 439–447)
27 November – 29. The Impact of Agriculture
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.13 (all)
Last day to submit (optional) PIFA
29 November – 30. Modern Human Diversity
Required Readings: Larsen, Ch.5 (all)
WEEK 14
02 December – 31. Bioarchaeology
04 December – 32. Hominin Paleopathology and Final Exam Review
FINAL EXAM PERIOD
07–23 December
Please Note:
1) Check the Canvas course site regularly. Announcements regarding class cancellations,
changes to the course schedule, etc. will be posted there in as timely a fashion as possible.
Lecture slides without images will be posted before each class; pre-recorded lectures (when
the professor is away) will also be posted on Canvas.
2) All course-related email correspondence with the professor, lab instructor, teaching
assistant, and fellow students must be professional and respectful in tone and content.
3) Please be respectful of others during lectures. If you must be on your phone, do
so discreetly with the sound off. Lectures may not be recorded separately by students and
no photos or videos may be taken during class.
4) Rules and guidelines for laboratory sessions will be explained by your lab instructor at the
beginning of the first lab (September 11–12) and/or via recorded introductory videos. No
food or drink is permitted in the lab (Room 131) and NO PHOTOS OR VIDEOS are to be taken
at any time. Phones must be put away during lab sessions. Tablets and laptops must be used
for taking notes only.
COURSE EVALUATION, DEFAULT
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Lab Exam 1 |
October 11 |
20% |
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Midterm Exam |
October 21 |
20% |
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Lab Exam 2 (NOT cumulative) |
November 22 |
20% |
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Laboratory Attendance |
Sept. 11–Nov. 07 |
4% |
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Final Exam (cumulative) |
Dec. 07–23 |
36% |
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Total |
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100% |
COURSE EVALUATION WITH OPTIONAL PIFA
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Lab Exam 1 |
October 11 |
17% |
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Midterm Exam |
October 21 |
17% |
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Lab Exam 2 (NOT cumulative) |
November 22 |
17% |
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Laboratory Attendance |
Sept. 11–Nov. 07 |
4% |
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Pay It Forward Assignment (PIFA) |
November 27 |
12% |
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Final Exam (cumulative) |
Dec. 07–23 |
33% |
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Total |
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100% |
Lab Exams
Value: 40% of final grade: two at 20% each (or 34% of final grade: two at 17% each, if
students opt to complete the PIFA)
Dates: 11 October (Lab Exam 1) and 22 November (Lab Exam 2)
Length: 50 minutes each
Description: Lab exams will involve timed (90–120 second) rotation through 25 stations. Each
station will have three questions, each worth one point (therefore 75 points in total), most referring to specific fossil or modern specimens (e.g., identification of species, element, or feature). Answers will be written in a separate exam booklet. Lab exam content will be derived largely (but not exclusively) from material covered during laboratory sessions. Lab exams will be closed book: no materials may be consulted during the exam period. Lab exams will NOT be cumulative. Lab exams must be taken when scheduled unless prior approval is obtained (subject to the lab instructor’s discretion). Exceptions may be made in cases of illness, bereavement, varsity athletics, or other valid reasons. Make-up lab exams will differ from the original versions and, in some cases, may be administered orally. If a student chooses not to complete a lab exam, a grade of zero (0) will be recorded and will figure into the calculation of the final grade.
Midterm Exam
Value: 20% of final grade (17% if students opt to complete the PIFA)
Date: 21 October
Length: 50 minutes
Description: This will be a comprehensive exam that covers all material (e.g., readings,
lectures, videos, and films) up to and including 16 October (Lecture 16, Introduction to the Modern Human Skeleton: Axial and Dentition). The exam will consist of 40–50 multiple choice questions, with answers being recorded on a separate Opscan sheet. This will be a closed book exam: no materials may be consulted during the exam period. The midterm exam must be taken when scheduled unless prior approval is obtained (subject to the professor’s discretion). Exceptions may be made in cases of illness, bereavement, varsity athletics, or other valid reasons. Make-up midterm exams will differ from the original versions and, in some cases, may be administered orally. If a student chooses not to complete their midterm exam, a grade of zero (0) will be recorded and will figure into the calculation of the final grade.
Laboratory Attendance
Value: 4% of final grade (0.5% for each of your eight lab sessions)
Date: 11 September–07 November
Length: 80 minutes x 8 lab sessions
Description: 4% of your final grade will be based on your full attendance and engagement
during your eight lab sessions (excluding the two review labs). If you miss a lab session and your health/schedule allow, you may be able to attend a different lab that same week, at the discretion of the lab instructor. No other opportunities for make-up labs will be granted.
Pay It Forward Assignment (PIFA), Optional
Value: 12% of final grade (if students opt to complete this assignment)
Date: Due any time on or before 27 November (5:00 pm)
Length: Variable (see PIFA overview and grading rubric document)
Description: The PIFA is specifically intended for students to produce work that can be shared with others, including fellow and future students. This is a flexible assignment in which you create a resource (in whatever format you wish, other than slide decks or flash cards) to 1) demonstrate your mastery of some aspect of the course and 2) help others at the same time. This is not a research project; you are not expected to find resources outside of course materials. Pick a topic that you initially found challenging but now comprehend well and would like to share. Explain the topic/concept or exhibit/compile the information in a way that is understandable and interesting to others. Almost any topic that we have discussed in class or that is covered in your textbook is appropriate, but topics must be approved by the professor prior to submission. The PIFA is not a group project. Each student is expected to submit a unique assignment.
Final Exam
Value: 36% of final grade (33% if students opt to complete the PIFA)
Date: Scheduled by the University (07–23 December 2024)
Length: 3 hours
Description: This will be a comprehensive and cumulate exam that covers all material (i.e.,
readings, lectures, videos, films) in the entire course. This will be a closed book exam: no materials may be consulted during the exam period. There will be two parts to this exam:
- Part A will consist of multiple-choice and matching questions, each worth one point and together comprising 55–65% of the final exam grade. Your answer to each question will be recorded on a separate Opscan sheet.
- Part B will consist of a variety of short answer (3–5 sentence), point form, and fill-in-the blank questions, together comprising the remaining 35–45% of the exam. Your answers will be recorded directly in the exam booklet. Students must complete the final exam in order to pass this course.
Exam Scheduling
All exams must be written on the date scheduled. Final examinations may be scheduled at any time during the University’s examination period (December 7–23, 2024); students should therefore avoid making prior travel, employment, or other commitments for this period. If a student is unable to write an exam through no fault of their own for medical or other valid reasons, documentation must be provided and an opportunity to write the missed exam may be given. Students must apply to the College in which they are registered to write a deferred final exam. Students are encouraged to review all examination policies and procedures: http://students.usask.ca/academics/exams.php
University of Saskatchewan Grading System for Undergraduate Courses
Exceptional (90–100) A superior performance with consistent evidence of:
- a comprehensive, incisive grasp of the subject matter;
- an ability to make insightful critical evaluation of the material given;
- an exceptional capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking;
- an excellent ability to organize, to analyze, to synthesize, to integrate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently.
Excellent (80–90) An excellent performance with strong evidence of
- a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter;
- an ability to make sound critical evaluation of the material given;
- a very good capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking;
- an excellent ability to organize, to analyze, to synthesize, to integrate ideas, and to express thoughts fluently.
Good (70–79) A good performance with evidence of
- a substantial knowledge of the subject matter;
- a good understanding of the relevant issues and a good familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques;
- some capacity for original, creative and/or logical thinking;
- a good ability to organize, to analyze and to examine the subject material in a critical and constructive manner.
Satisfactory (60–69) A generally satisfactory and intellectually adequate performance with evidence of
- an acceptable basic grasp of the subject material;
- a fair understanding of the relevant issues;
- a general familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques;
- an ability to develop solutions to moderately difficult problems related to the subject material;
- a moderate ability to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner.
Minimal Pass (50–59) A barely acceptable performance with evidence of
- a familiarity with the subject material;
- some evidence that analytical skills have been developed;
- some understanding of relevant issues;
- some familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques;
- attempts to solve moderately difficult problems related to the subject material and to examine the material in a critical and analytical manner which are only partially successful.
Failure <50 An unacceptable performance.
Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan can be found at: http://students.usask.ca/current/academics/grades/grading-system.php. Please note that there are different literal descriptors for undergraduate and graduate students. More information on the Academic Courses Policy on course delivery, examinations and assessment of student learning can be found at: http://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php
ATTENDANCE
University policy stipulates that “Regular and punctual attendance in their classes is expected of all students (including lectures, seminars, laboratories, tutorials, etc.).” If you need to miss a series of classes due to illness, family obligations, varsity athletics, or University artistic endeavors, you should discuss this with the professor. Students are responsible for all course material, including that covered during their absences.
ACCESS AND EQUITY SERVICES
Access and Equity Services (AES) is available to provide support to students who require accommodations due to disability, family status, and religious observances.
Students who have disabilities (learning, medical, physical, or mental health) are strongly encouraged to register with Access and Equity Services (AES) if they have not already done so. Students who suspect they may have disabilities should contact AES for advice and referrals at any time. Those students who are registered with AES with mental health disabilities and who anticipate that they may have responses to certain course materials or topics, should discuss course content with their instructors prior to course add / drop dates.
Students who require accommodations for pregnancy or substantial parental/family duties should contact AES to discuss their situations and potentially register with that office.
Students who require accommodations due to religious practices that prohibit the writing of exams on religious holidays should contact AES to self-declare and determine which accommodations are appropriate. In general, students who are unable to write an exam due to a religious conflict do not register with AES but instead submit an exam conflict form through their PAWS account to arrange accommodations.
Any student registered with AES, as well as those who require accommodations on religious grounds, may request alternative arrangements for mid-term and final examinations by submitting a request to AES by the stated deadlines. Instructors shall provide the examinations for students who are being accommodated by the deadlines established by AES.
For more information or advice, visit https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/access-equity-services.php, or contact AES at 306-966-7273 (Voice/TTY 1-306-966-7276) or email aes@usask.ca.
STUDENT SUPPORTS
Academic Help – University Library
Visit the University Library and Learning Hub to find supports for undergraduate and graduate students with first-year experience, study skills, learning strategies, research, writing, math and statistics. Students can attend workshops, access online resources and research guides, book 1-1 appointments or hire a subject tutor through the USask Tutoring Network
Connect with library staff through the AskUs chat service or visit various library locations on campus.
Enrolled in an online course? Explore the Online Learning Readiness Tutorial.
Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
Teaching, Learning and Student Experience (TLSE) provides developmental and support services and programs to students and the university community. For more information, see the students’ website http://students.usask.ca.
College Supports
Students in Arts & Science are encouraged to contact the Undergraduate Student Office and/or the Trish Monture Centre for Success with any questions on how to choose a major; understand program requirements; choose courses; develop strategies to improve grades; understand university policies and procedures; overcome personal barriers; initiate pre-career inquiries; and identify career planning resources. Contact information is available at: (http://artsandscience.usask.ca/undergraduate/advising/)
Financial Support
Any student who faces unexpected challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact Student Central https://students.usask.ca/student-central.php.
Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre
The Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre) is dedicated to supporting Indigenous student academic and personal success. The Centre offers personal, social, cultural and some academic supports to Métis, First Nations, and Inuit students. The Centre is an intercultural gathering space that brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous students together to learn from, with and about one another in a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment. Visit https://students.usask.ca/indigenous/index.php or students are encouraged to visit the ASC’s website https://students.usask.ca/indigenous/gorbsc.php
International Student and Study Abroad Centre
The International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) supports student success and facilitates international education experiences at USask and abroad. ISSAC is here to assist all international undergraduate, graduate, exchange, and English as a Second Language students in their transition to the University of Saskatchewan and to life in Canada. ISSAC offers advising and support on matters that affect international students and their families and on matters related to studying abroad as University of Saskatchewan students. Visit https://students.usask.ca/international/issac.php for more information.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The University of Saskatchewan is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity. https://academic-integrity.usask.ca/ Students are urged to read the Regulations on Academic Misconductand to avoid any behaviours that could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence.
For help developing the skills for meeting academic integrity expectations, see: https://academic-integrity.usask.ca/students.php
Students are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification on academic integrity requirements. All students should to be aware of the rules for courses set out in the
Academic Courses Policy on Class Delivery, Examinations, and Assessment of Student Learning.
GENERATIVE AI (e.g., ChatGPT, etc.)
Generative AI is permissible in this course for the optional Pay it Forward Assignment (PIFA), with the understanding that students must thoroughly document its use. It is imperative that transparency is maintained throughout, as failure to do so will be considered a breach of academic integrity. The utilization of Generative AI is welcomed as a means of fostering innovation and creativity, but it must be approached with a commitment to honesty and openness. Students are expected to adhere to the documentation guidelines to not only meet academic standards but also to deepen their comprehension of the technology and its applications. You are permitted to operate at levels 2 or 3 only (see below). I am not banning the use of AI, so level 1 doesn’t apply. However, you are NOT to rely solely on generative AI for your work (text or images).
To guide you regarding permitted uses of generative AI, please follow the guide above from Perkins M, Furze L, Roe J, MacVaugh J, 2023. Navigating the generative AI era: Introducing the AI assessment scale for ethical GenAI assessment. arXiv preprint arXiv:2312.07086.
COPYRIGHT
Course material created by your professors and instructors is their intellectual property and cannot be shared without written permission. This includes exams, PowerPoint/PDF lecture slides and other course notes. If materials are designated as open education resources (with a creative commons license) you can share and/or use them in alignment with the CC license. Other copyright-protected materials created by textbook publishers and authors may be provided to you based on license terms and educational exceptions in the Canadian Copyright Act.
You are responsible for ensuring that any copying or distribution of materials that you engage in is permitted by the University’s “Use of Materials Protected By Copyright” Policy. For example, posting others’ copyright-protected materials on the open internet is not permitted by this policy unless you have copyright permission or a license to do so. For more copyright information, please visit https://library.usask.ca/copyright/students/index.php or contact the University Copyright Coordinator at copyright.coordinator@usask.ca or 306-966-8817.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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