Introduction to Physical Anthropology:

Major Evaluation
Throughout this course, students will take three exams, grouped by topic. These exams
will not be cumulative, but rather will focus on material from the weeks since the preceding
exam. Course content is split into three topics: Evolution and Genetics, Non-human primates,
and Hominin evolution. The examples presented below draw primarily from this last category.
Due to the anticipated size of this course, exams will be primarily multiple choice and true/false,
with some short answer and longer written components. The multiple choice will account for
approximately 30% of each exam grade, with short answer questions counting for an additional
30% and long form essay accounting for the final 40%. Thus, approximately 30% of the exam
will require students to remember and understand concepts and ideas. The restricted response
will require students to apply and analyze concepts, and the longer essay will require students to
create, evaluate, analyze and apply course materials.
Examples of Questions:
True/False:
1. The presence of modern day monkeys and apes contradicts the theory of evolution.
a. True
b. False
2. The oldest known hominin fossil is an Australopithecine.
a. True
b. False
3. Anatomically modern Homo sapiens coexisted with Homo neanderthalensis.
a. True
b. False
4. Homo sapiens are the only primates which have nails instead of claws.
a. True
b. False
5. Anatomically modern humans have the largest brain of any mammal.
a. True
b. False
Multiple Choice:
1. Upon entering the library to complete your hominin skull lab, you are horrified to
discover that the last students to use the bone clones left them out of the case, without
their labels. The first skull you encounter has an occipital bun, sloping frontal, and a
retromolar space. What label do you place with this skull?
a. Homo sapiens sapiens
b. Homo heidelbergensis
c. Homo neanderthalensis
d. Homo erectus

2. Relieved to have solved the mystery, you place the first skull in the case, and move on to
the second. This individual has a mix of primitive and modern features, including heavy
brow ridge, a robust skull and a large ascending ramus; as well as small molars and a
large brain. What type of skull is this?
a. Homo ergaster
b. Homo sapiens sapiens
c. Homo heidelbergensis
d. Homo neanderthalensis
3. Finally, you are down to your last specimen in need of identification. This skull is tentshaped, with a rounded occipital with a large area for muscle attachment, a massive
supraorbital torus, and a chinless jaw. How do you label this?
a. Homo sapiens sapiens
b. Homo erectus
c. Homo antecessor
d. Homo heidelbergensis
Restricted Response:
1. Now that you have identified the names of each of these skulls, in what order should they
be placed in the case (ranging from oldest to most recent)? About how big of a time span
is represented by these three skulls?
Students should place Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis and Homo
neanderthalensis in order chronologically. Then, they should articulate that the
first species listed appeared approximately 2 million years ago, while the most
recent lasted up to 30,000 years ago.
2. What is the definition of natural selection, and how does it play a role in evolution?
Students should correctly define natural selection, and identify it as a mechanism
of evolution. Processes of evolution discussed should include mutations,
inheritance, and other relevant topics.
3. What is the Expensive Tissue Hypothesis, and how does it relate to human evolution?
Students should describe evolutionary trade-offs, and in particular the
hypothesized trade-off between gut and brain tissues. This should then be directly
applied to human origins and a discussion of human brain size.
Extended Response:
1. In 5-7 full paragraphs, describe the chronological evolution of the hominin lineage as we
know it. In your response, you must list at least 5 hominin species, including their
approximate ages and location of discovery. Discuss morphological changes between
each of these species.
a. Students may choose whatever 5 species they wish, however each must be
correctly identified in time and spice. For each species, major morphological traits
must be identified, and directly compared to earlier and later species.
2. In a short essay, discuss the debate between the multi-regional model vs. the out of Africa
or replacement model. In your first paragraph, introduce the topic and provide a thesis
statement for your argument. In the following paragraphs, provide the evidence for and

against each of these theories. Finally, provide a short conclusion summarizing your
arguments.
a. Students should describe in detail the major underpinnings of each theory, as well
as evidence for and against each, including specific species and other data. These
summaries should be at least a paragraph each.
3. In 5-6 paragraphs, describe the four major environmental theories for the origins of
eurprimates. Critically assess issues with these theories, and prove an argument as to
which has the most evidence.
a. Student responses should have at least a paragraph each for: adaptation for
arboreal life, visual predation, angiosperm radiation, and fine branch niche
exploitation. Each paragraph should include both evidence for and against these
theories.
Alternative Options:
Given the size of introductory classes, it is very difficult to incorporate large projects or papers
into the course. Thus, a carefully crafted exam is certainly the most logistically manageable way
to evaluate student learning. In this case, however, the exams are supplemented by lab
assignments conducted on student time, which incorporate hands on learning to reinforce course
concepts. In this course, each of the three major sections contains a laboratory assignment in
addition to the exams and in class coursework. If these were to be expanded upon, they could
serve as final summative evaluations. For example, a project which identifies a particular primate
species, its evolutionary origins, and its genetic profile may be used to incorporate all three
sections of the course. This project could take the form of a Wikipedia page, a presentation, or
poster.