Faculty Syllabus

ANTH-2301 Physical Anthropology

Caleb Miller


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

ANTH-2301-012 (15141)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

Course Requirements

This is an asynchronous/distance learning course. Learning will occur through readings, discussions, and activities in Blackboard. Additionally, students will write about anthropological readings and complete a research paper.

 

Students who are new to distance education are advised to review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at: at: https://online.austincc.edu/faq/

Readings

Texbook:

Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology

By Beth Shook; Katie Nelson; Kelsie Aguilera; and Lara Braff

 

Our textbook is available online for free!

Access the ebook, or download individual chapters, here:

https://explorations.americananthro.org

(A physical copy of the textbook can also be purchased for around $30)

 

Course Subjects

WEEK 1            

  • What is Anthropology?         

      

 WEEK 2            

  • Darwin, Evolution and Natural Selection
  • Quiz 1 (Due Feb. 2)

 

WEEK 3            

  • Genetics

 

WEEK 4     

  • The Forces of Evolution
  • Quiz 2 (Due Feb 16)

 

WEEK 5            

  • The Scientific Abuse of Genetics and Evolution

 

WEEK 6

  • The Concept of Race

 

 

WEEK 7

  • Midterm Essay (Due March 9)

 

WEEK 8

  • The Living Primates

 

WEEK 9

  • Primate Ecology and Behavior
  • Quiz 3 (Due March 30)

 

WEEK 10

  • Fossils

 

WEEK 11

  • Early Hominins
  • Quiz 4 (Due April 13 )

 

 

WEEK 12

  • The Origins and Evolution of Early Homo

 

WEEK 13

  • The Origins and Evolution of Modern Humans
  • Quiz 5 (Due April 27)

 

WEEK 14

  • The Development of Agriculture 

 

WEEK 15

  • Are We Still Evolving?

 

WEEK 16

  • Final Essays Exam! (Due: May 13)

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes 

Students who complete this course will:

Be able to describe what anthropology and physical anthropology are.

Understand the methods and theories of physical anthropology.

Understand the processes of evolution.

Understand the processes of biocultural hominid evolution.

Understand human diversity.

 

Discipline Program Student Learning Outcomes

To demonstrate knowledge of different cultural systems and human cultural behaviors, past and present

To explain how, over time, humans have adapted biologically and culturally to their surrounds.

To employ various forms of research methods and data collection

                         

Office Hours

W 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Zoom Meeting Room

NOTE

Office Hours

W 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Zoom Meeting Room

NOTE

Published: 01/20/2026 12:22:26