Course TA: Martha Palma                       email address: mrpalma@asu.edu

Office: Anthropology room 303

Office hours: Tuesday 10:00-12:00

Course Description:

            This course will examine the patterns and causes of human biological diversity in the world. The origin and dispersal of all major human populations will be discussed. Past and present research into the subject will be reviewed, including debates about the origin of modern human variation, the meaning of "race", human adaptation, and the biological, archaeological and linguistic evidence for the colonization and settlement of the world.

Required Texts: There are required texts.

Relethford, JH (2001) Genetics and the search for modern human origins, Wiley-Liss.

Olson, S (2002) Mapping Human History: Discovering the Past through Our Genes. Houghton Mifflin Company

Nabhan GP, (2004) Why Some Like it Hot: Food, Genes, and Cultural Diversity. Island Press

Additional Reading:

            Additional reading will be placed on reserve in the Library and online. These readings will provide additional information about topics covered in class and some are required for particular homework assignments.

Grading:

The final grade will be based on two exams (50%) and homework assignments (50%). Although classroom attendance will not be taken, it is in your best interest to come to class since lectures may cover material that is not included directly in the texts. If you do miss a class, contact other students in the class for notes. Qualified students with disabilities needing appropriate academic adjustments should contact me as soon as possible to ensure your needs are met in a timely manner. Handouts are available in alternative formats upon request.

·        The exams will include short answer and essay questions. The exams are not cumulative. Make-up exams will only be given under special circumstances and appropriate documentation is required.

·        Homework assignments will be posted on the class web page and are due by 5:00 on the date listed. Late assignments will not be accepted. Homework assignments will periodically include questions about the class research topics.

·        Plagiarism is not tolerated. You can never use someone else's words without quotes.  Ignorance is not an excuse.

Grades will scaled in the following manner:

97-100%           A+                   74-76%             C

94-96%             A                     70-73%             C-

90-93%             A-                    67-69%             D+

87-89%             B+                    64-66%             D

84-86%             B                      60-63%             D-

80-83%             B-                    below 60%          E

77-79%             C+