Anthropology 110
DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Dr. Wesley Shumar, Asst. Professor
Winter 2008-09
Office: PSA Rm. 215
Office Hours: W: 3-4PM and by appointment.
Phone: 895-2060
[email protected]

The Human Past

Course Objectives: Beginning with the evolution of humankind and continuing through the development of the ancient civilizations, this course will introduce students to the concepts and methods of archaeology and physical anthropology. We will begin with the modern theory of biological evolution and then look specifically at the evolution of Homo sapiens and our hominid ancestors. We will see how anthropologists, using the techniques of archaeological investigation, study the evolution of mankind as well as the development of different societal forms including the rise of state societies. We will follow the long slow process of human evolution thorugh the rise of modern Homo sapiens, the development of settled populations, the domestication of plants and animals and finally the development of agriculture and the rise of cities.


Required Texts:

Lewis, Barry et al. Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th Edition.

Additional Readings may be assigned.

Schedule

Week 1 Introduction
Lewis et al. Chapters 1-2.

Week 2 Evolution
Lewis et al. Chapters 3-4.

Week 3 Primate Studies
Lewis et al. Chapters 6-7.

Midterm 1

Week 4 Archaeological Methods
Lewis et al. Chapter 8.

Week 5 The Human Lineage
Lewis et al. Chapters 9-10.

Week 6 Homo sapiens Emerge
Lewis et al. Chapters 11-12.

Midterm 2

Week 7 Upper Paleolithic
Lewis et al. Chapter 13.

Week 8 The Origins of Agriculture
Lewis et al. Chapter 14.

Week 9&10 Evolution of Civilization
Lewis et al. Chapters 15-16.

Final Exam

Details

1. You are expected to do all of the reading for this course.

2. It is expected that you will attend all classes.

Assuming that the above expectations are met, each assignment will be weighted as follows:

1. Midterm Exams (30% each 60% total). There will be two midterm exams given in-class. Each exam will be part objective and part essay. The exams will stress the central concepts, theories and methodologies presented in the lectures and the text.


2. Final Examination (40% of the final grade).The final exam will be the same format as the midterms but will be a slightly longer exam. It will be given during the final exam period.