EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Communications/Social Sciences Division

Fall Quarter 2018

Anthropology 115: Our Place in Nature: Survey of Archaeology and Biological

Anthropology

INSTRUCTOR: Isabelle Sarton Miller Ph.D.

Office: 214 Grey Wolf Hall
Phone: (425) 821-1342
E-mail: imiller@everettcc.edu
Office Hours: (on skype)

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Understanding Humans: Introduction to physical Anthropology and Archaeology (11th edition)

by Barry Lewis, Robert Jurmain and Lynn Kilgore; Editor = Wadsworth, Cengage, 2013.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

This class will be an introduction to the evolutionary biology of modern humans. Evolutionary
theory, genetics, primate anatomy and behavior, and the history of the human lineage will be
examined to gain a better understanding of human origins and modern human biological
diversity.
The discipline of archaeology will allow for a better understanding of the formation of the first
civilizations in the Old World and in the New World.

EVALUATION METHOD:

Your final grades will be based on:

5 quizzes 35%
10 Discussion boards:
Initial posting 40%
Responses to students 25%
(One discussion board will be replaced by a PowerPoint presentation.)

You will not be graded on a curve, so you are not competing with classmates for a limited
number of high grades.
GRADING SYSTEM:

Letter Grade Point Percentage

A 94 – 100%
A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 74-76%
C- 70-73%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%

No makeup will be given for exams except in case of duly certified illnesses, accidents, or
emergencies. If you cannot take an exam because of illness or a family emergency, please
notify the instructor before the exam. Rescheduling for any other reason must be discussed
with the instructor and approved at least one week before the exam. To be fair to those who
follow the established exam schedules, the instructor has to reserve the right to penalize the
late and early exam takers up to 10% out of the total graded score per day.
The students in this class are expected to manage and fulfill their coursework themselves
throughout the quarter in due course including taking notes of lectures and study guides, and
taking examinations on the scheduled times. In the interests of balance and fairness the
instructor will not give out his materials to any student individually; the instructor will not reply
to the email requests to this effect.

HOW ARE THE DISCUSSION BOARDS RUN?

After teaching online for 10 years I know that the best way for the students to
be successful in an online class is the continuous involvement of the lecturer,
as well as the students. To achieve this level of motivation, I monitor your work
in the discussion boards, all week long, every week.

As a result, I open the class, week by week, so all students are working at the
same pace, and are working together on the same discussion board, always
asking the “why of the because”.
What do I expect in the Discussion Board Initial Responses (DBIR):
Each week I provide 2 Questions, from which you pick one.
Initial Responses are designed to focus your active attention on the critical concepts of the
week's readings (lectures and textbook.) As a result, I expect to see use of the week's
assigned readings in evidence.
You are being graded on your ability to provide a concise, well-constructed response.
a) The minimum length is 500+ words
b) You need to cite at least 3 times the textbook and at least 3 times information from the
week lectures. You cannot just “quote” a sentence; you need to paraphrase the information.
(Caution: Never use wikis, encyclopedias, or dictionaries.)
Formatting is important. In the assignment link you will see how to include in-text
references.

What do I expect in the Student Feedback to other students

By reading/responding the Student responses of 2 fellow students, students can appreciate
feedbacks, and a topic that seemed new, and maybe difficult to understand, will eventually
make sense. You can also revise your own initial response on the basis of information you
have learned or understood better from the discussion.
What to respond to students:
At least 2 meaningful Student Feedbacks are required each week.
Each must be 50+ words and be based on the content presented by your fellow
students.
Here are the types of student feed back acceptable:
-- Identify a question or a problem with the presented content, then, propose a solution.
-- Clarify a confusion noted in the presented content, then, propose a solution.
-- Offer an alternative solution or interpretation, then, explain why this is an improvement.
-- Propose avenues for further research on the topic, then, explain how this will strengthen the
Initial student response.
Caution: This is not a chat room. Provide meaningful, thoughtful feedback.
Salutation and compliments are not part of the 50 words.
So here is how you need to get your week organized:

The class weeks run from Monday to Sunday. I usually open the reading of module of a said
week, the Saturday before, so students who work have time to do their readings in the
weekend.

a) On Monday, I open the module officially. Students are required to attach their
initial answers in the week module in a folder called “DBIR” (Discussion Board
Initial Responses) by the Thursday (11:30 pm) of the week we are working on.
This gives me a chance to see your work and prevents cheating to happen. NO
LATE WORK.
b) On Friday, you post your “DBIR” (edited if necessary) in the week folder
called “DB” (Discussion board) and start to give responses (usually to 2
students). DO NOT WAIT SUNDAY NIGHT to give your responses.
c) By Sunday night, 11:30 pm, you need to be done with responses and have
edited again your work if necessary on the DB.

COURSE COMMUNITY:
This class is a community. EVCC expects every member of the College to contribute to an
inclusive and respectful culture for all. We may disagree with each other’s ideas, and lively
discussion of opinions is highly encouraged in this class. Any act of lack of civility will not be
tolerated.

Academic Misconduct and Disruptive Behavior:

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses and carry serious consequences. In cases of
either cheating or plagiarism, incidents may be reported as follows at the discretion of the
instructor.

-First offense: notification of the dean of the division

-Second/repeat offense: notification of the Vice President of Instruction and Student

Services for possible disciplinary action; may include expulsion from the college

In addition, cheating and plagiarism can result in any of the following:

-Required revision of the assignment
-A failing grade on the paper, assignment, or test with no make-up opportunity
-A failing grade in the course
EVCC defines cheating as:
-Actual or attempted use of unauthorized materials such as: Copying from another student’s
quiz or Discussion board answers; collaborating during a quiz with anyone by receiving
information without permission;

-Intentionally helping, or attempting to help, another to cheat.

-Turning in previously submitted work as new work without your instructor’s approval.

Regardless of the topic I expect that all communication be conducted in a respectful,

civil manner.

READING SCHEDULE

Always read the lectures first, then read the textbook chapters as supplements. There will
also be websites and some articles within each module announced at the beginning of each
week.

Week 1: Sept 24 (Monday) through Sept 30 (Sunday)

1) The lecture in the module Week 1: Week 1 lecture

2) Textbook: Introduction to Anthropology (Ch 1)

Week 2: October 1 (Monday) through October 7 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in the module Week 2: Week 2 lecture a and Week 2 lecture b

2) Textbook: Development of Evolutionary Theory/Heredity and Evolution (Ch. 2 & 3)

Week 3: October 8 (Monday) through October 14 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in the Module Week 3: Week 3 lecture a, Week 3 lecture b, Week 3 lecture c
2) Textbook: Human variation and adaptation (Ch. 4) (Until the end of the paragraph related to
“high altitude”.)

Week 4: October 15 (Monday) through October 21 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in Module Week 4: Week 4 lecture a, Week 4 lecture b, Week 4 lecture c,

Week 4 lecture d.
2) Textbook: Overview of the Primates/Primate Behavior (Ch. 6 & 7)
Week 5: October 22 (Monday) through October 28 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in Module Week 5: Week 5 lecture a and Week 5 lecture b.

2) Textbook: Understanding the Past (Ch. 8)

Week 6: October 29 (Monday) through November 4 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in Module Week 6: Week 6 lecture a, Week 6 lecture b, Week 6 lecture c and
Week 6 lecture d.
2) Textbook: Hominin Origins (Ch. 9)

Week 7: November 5 (Monday) through November 11 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in the Module Week 7: Week 7 lecture a, Week 7 lecture b, Week 7 lecture c.
2)Textbook: First Dispersal of Genus Homo; Premodern Humans; Origin & Dispersal of
Modern Humans (Ch. 10, 11 and 12).

Week 8: November 12 (Monday) through November 18 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in the Module Week 8: Week 8 lecture a, Week 8 lecture b, Week 8 lecture c.
2) Textbook: Early Holocene Hunters (Ch. 13) (Until the end of the paragraph related
to “Physical and genetic evidence. (p. 317); Gatherers & Food Production (14)

Week 9: November 19 (Monday) through November 20 (Tuesday) (Thanksgiving week)

1) Lecture in the Module Week 9: Week 9 lecture

Week 10: November 26 (Monday) through December 2 (Sunday)

1) Lectures in the Module Week 10: Week 10 lecture a, Week 10 lecture b, Week 10 lecture c,
Week 10 lecture d

2) Textbook: The first civilizations Chapter 15 (pages will be given at the beginning of that
week.)

Week 11: Dec 3 (Monday) through Dec 9 (Sunday)

1) The lecture in the Module Week 11: Week 11 lecture.

2) Textbook: Biocultural evolution and the Anthropocene (Chapter 16)

Week 12: Dec 10 (Monday) through Dec 13 (Wednesday)

Finals Week

QUIZZES AND DISCUSSION BOARDS SCHEDULE

See below on the calendar. Please do not use the calendar on CANVAS.
 Anth 115
September/October
2018

The great chain of being of ideal types Vervet Monkey (St Kitts)

Weeks Monday Tuesday and Wed Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Sept 24 Sept 25 and 26 Sept 27 Sept 28 Sept 29 Sept 30
1
Read Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 1
Syllabus send initial send initial week 1 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 1 responses are due
Start the Week 1 DBIR Week 1 Start responding
reading to students
Oct 1 Oct 2 and 3 Oct 4 Oct 5 Oct 6 Oct 7

2 Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 2
reading send initial send initial week 2 on the responses
answers on answers on DB Week 2 responses are due
DBIR Week 2 DBIR Week 2 Start responding Open quiz 1
to students
Oct 8 Oct 9 and 10 Oct 11 Oct 12 Oct 13 Oct 14
3
Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 3
reading send initial send initial week 3 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 3 responses are due
Close quiz 1 Week 3 DBIR Week 3 Start responding
to students
Oct 15 Oct 16 and 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 20 Oct 21
4
Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 4
reading send initial send initial week 4 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 4 responses are due
Week 4 DBIR Week 4 Start responding Open quiz 2
to students
Oct 22 Oct 23 and 24 Oct 25 Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28
5
Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 5
reading send initial send initial week 5 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 5 responses are due
Close quiz 2 Week 5 DBIR Week 5 Start responding
to students
 Anth 115
November/December
2018

Acheulean tools Cuneiform writing

Weeks Monday Tuesday and Wed Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Oct 29 Oct 30 and 31 Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4

6 Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 6
reading send initial send initial week 6 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 6 responses are due
Week 6 DBIR Week 6 Start responding Open quiz 3
to students
Nov 5 Nov 6 and 7 Nov 8 Nov 9 Nov 10 Nov 11

7 Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 7
reading send initial send initial week 7 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 7 responses are due
Close quiz 3 Week 7 DBIR Week 7 Start responding
to students
Nov 12 Nov 13 and 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18

8 Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 8
reading send initial send initial week 8 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 8 responses are due
Week 8 DBIR Week 8 Start responding Open quiz 4
to students
Nov 19 Nov 18
Thanksgiving break ☺
9 Close quiz 4 Read week 9 lecture

Nov 26 Nov 27 and 28 Nov 29 to Dec 1 Dec 2

10 Start the Read and start Work on your presentation Presentation

reading your presentation due

Dec 3 Dec 4 and 5 Dec 6 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 9

11 Start the Read and start to Last day to Post your DBIR Work on DB week 11
reading send initial send initial week 11 on the responses
answers on DBIR answers on DB Week 10 responses are due
Week 11 DBIR Week 11 Start responding Open quiz 5
to students
Dec 10 Dec 11 and 12 Dec 13
12
Close quiz 5 Reopen all quizzes close all quizzes