Faculty Syllabus

ANTH-2301 Physical Anthropology

Gabriela Martinez


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

ANTH-2301-006 (27263)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

ANTH-2301-019 (15146)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

Course Requirements

Orientation Quiz: Must be completed by the due date in order to remain enrolled in the course

Unit Quizzes (16%): Each worth 25 pts

  • Unit quizzes (4) will be composed of multiple-choice, true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions.    

Unit Exercises (24%): Each worth 25 pts.

  • Exercises (4) apply the knowledge from each Unit.

Essays (20%): Each worth 100 pts.

  • Primate Essay: Research and write an essay on a primate species. Post your findings to the Primate Essay
  • Discussion Board to share what you have learned.
  • Hominin Essay: Research and write an essay on either a hominin or tool/tool industry. Post your findings to the Hominin Discussion Board to share what you have learned.
  • *Note: If a reading was written in the 1980s it is still considered “current”.
  • For each essay, an additional 20 points can be earned by commenting on your classmates’ posts.

Exams (40%): Each worth 100 pts.

  • Unit exams (4) will be composed of multiple-choice, true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions.

Extra Credit:  Any additional extra credit opportunities will be posted to the “Extra Credit” folder.

Readings

Free Online Textbook: Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, 2nd edition (2023), by Beth Shook et. al.

  • Access on a computer/tablet here
  • A print copy can be purchased
  • Any additional readings and supplementary material will be posted to Blackboard

Course Subjects

Unit 1: Evolutionary thought, DNA/Molecular basis of heredity, Mendelian Genetics

Unit 2: Medical Genetics, Population Genetics, Human Variation and Adaptation, Forensic Anthropology

Unit 3: Macroevolution, Phylogeny and Taxonomy, Primate Characteristics, Survey of Living Primates, Primate Behavior and Culture

Unit 4: Paleoanthropology, Early Primate Evolution, Early Hominins, Bipedalism, Genus Homo, Modern Human Origins

Over the period of this course we will be discussing:

  • How evolution operates and examining the factors that led to the evolution of Homo sapiens and the evolution of hominins
  • Primates, and how their behavior and adaptations teach us about our own development
  • The bio/cultural diversity of humans, including human biological adaptations and the genetic makeup of modern populations.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

PSLO 1: Cultural Relativism- Apply cultural relativism and understanding to issues of multiculturalism, globalization, or cultural difference.

PSLO 2: Cultural and Biological Adaptation- Describe and analyze the ways that humans have adapted biologically and/or culturally to their surroundings over time (e.g. reflect on different subsistence strategies, types of social organization, or other variables, etc).

PSLO 3: Research Methods & Theories- Explain, plan, and conduct original research based on observations and/or scholarly review of scientific writings using appropriate anthropological theories and methods.

This course has been designed to provide students with an understanding of the methods and theories of Physical Anthropology in order to allow students to:

  • Apply anthropological knowledge and skills to everyday life and their chosen careers
  • Apply the course towards an associate’s degree at Austin Community College
  • Prepare students for success in upper division courses in Anthropology at other institutions

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define the scope of Physical Anthropology and provide the principle methods and theories used in Physical Anthropology
  • Evaluate the competing explanations of human origins and development
  • Appreciate the ways in which human diversity contributes to human evolutionary adaptation.
  • Understand the evolutionary processes that have changed our species over time.
  • Research and write essays on evolution, hominins, and non-human primates using scientific source material.
  • Refine critical thinking skills through the use of scientific reasoning.

Office Hours

T 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM DIL

NOTE

Office Hours

T 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM DIL

NOTE

Published: 01/19/2026 14:03:00