Anthropology 307, Fall 2010 – Human Variation Course Syllabus

XII
11/16, 11/18 Skin Pigmentation & Solar Radiation
Adjustments to Environment: Growth
Molnar Chapt 5: pp.
176-193; Chapt. 6
XIII 11/23 Adjustments to High Altitude
Thanksgiving
Molnar Chapt. 6
XIV 11/30, 12/2 Adjustments to Environmental Richness: IQ Molnar Chapt.7
XV 12/7, 12/9 The Origins of Modern Human Variation
12/21 Final Exam (6:00-8:00 PM):
Weeks XI to XV, and Comprehensive
Readings:
The readings are in one textbook plus a couple of articles. The articles will be emailed as
pdfs at the appropriate time.
Molnar, S. (2006) Human Variation, 6th ed. Prentice-Hall.
The chapters or pages are indicated with each week’s topics. Note that some pages are repeated,
since they apply to more than one lecture topic. Not all of the topics covered in the readings will
be covered in lecture, and not all of the lecture topics have associated readings.
Requirements:
There will be two in-class exams and a final exam. The exams will be based primarily on
the material from the lectures, but they will be supplemented by material in the readings. The
first exam will cover the material from the first five weeks, and the second exam will cover the
material from weeks VI to X. The final exam will both cover the material from the remaining
weeks of the semester (XI to XV) and have a short section covering important general concepts
from the entire semester. The percentage distribution of the exams for the final grade will be
30%, 30%, 30% and 10% (the last for the comprehensive section of the final exam).
It is assumed that you already have a knowledge of the basic mechanics and processes of
genetics and evolution (Anthropology 150 or Biology equivalent), although key issues will be
mentioned and the background chapter in Molnar (Chapter 2) provides much of this information
and is included among the early readings. The textbook contains technical details regarding
especially human genetics. You will be responsible for the key concepts and issues, but not for
all of the technical details, unless they are mentioned in lecture.
Course Mechanics:
Additional readings, handouts (Powerpoints), and other materials will be uploaded to
Telesis for the course.