Instructor:               

Patricia Ann Kramer, PEng PhD

pakramer@u.washington.edu

206-616-2449

Denny 427

 

BIO A 101

Human Biological Diversity

People vary in ways that seem obvious, like skin color, and more subtle, like blood type. In this class, we will explore human biological variation among individuals, groups and populations, using the theory of evolution through natural selection as a framework.  The study of this variation has been a long-term topic of anthropological interest, but has been fraught with much controversy.  This class will help us understand the nature and basis of human biological variation and prepare you to critique simplistic and erroneous views of such variation and its social significance.

Attendance at lecture and in lab is strongly recommended.  No notes will be posted on the web and no study guides for the exams will be provided.

 

Lecture meeting times:                 MWF   8:30-9:20       GUG 220

                                                            T          8:30-9:20       ARC 147

 

Textbook:                                         no required textbooks

 

Website:                                            http://courses.washington.edu/bioa101

Grading:

            Examinations                      40%

Midterm 1                              10%  (October 27, 2009)

                        Midterm 2                              10%  (November 24, 2009)

            Final                                       20%  (8:30-10:20 December 15, 2009, GUG 220)

            Lab                                       25%

            Lecture assignments               10%

            Project                                  25%

 

The examinations (midterms and final) will be multiple choice.  You will need to provide your own scantron sheet. The lecture assignments portion of the grade will be reading assignments with on-line surveys assigned in lecture.  The project (see below) will be due on December 7, 2009 at noon (12:00 pm) PST and will be graded for content and completeness. Grading details for the lab will be discussed by your TA in sections.  All assignments with the exception of the examinations will be turned in electronically.  No late assignments will be accepted. You must pass each component (examinations, lab, lecture assignments and project) listed above to pass the class.  Cheating will punished to the full extent possible.

 

Extra credit will be available via participation in the lectures.  Individuals who do not participate in lecture will not receive extra credit.

 

Project:  Students will work in groups of 2-4 students, all of whom must be in the same laboratory section.  Each group will select one topic for a project in anthropological research.  A list of sample topics will be discussed in lab the second week of class, but other topics are possible.   You must discuss your proposal with your TA BEFORE you hand in the preliminary proposal, which is due at noon (12:00 pm) PST on November 2, 2009.  The final proposal is due at noon (12:00 pm) PST on November 9, 2009.  The project consists of library or online research, observation of people/situations, and a 2-4 page written project summary.  The research and observation portions will be documented on a form discussed at the same time as the list of topics. The project is due on Monday, December 7, 2009 at noon (12:00 pm) PST.

PDF of syllabus to print here.