mcginnis
Fri, 10/20/2023 - 18:50
Edited Text
California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: 10/19/12
Department of Justice, Law and Society
A.

Protocol
Course Name:
Human Origins
Course Number: ANT 390
Credits:
3 credits
Prerequisites:
ANT 100 or permission of the Instructor
Maximum Class Size: 30

B.

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

Explain the mechanics underlying evolutionary theory

Explain what is adaptation and how it helps in the processes of maintenance and
change

Explain how researchers measure time in evolutionary research

Explain how Primatology contributes to Paleoanthropology

Explain how fossils and archaeological sites are created

Identify the different stages of human/cultural development

Identify the different evolutionary species of the human family

Demonstrate how to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the study of
Paleoanthropology

C.

Catalog Description:
Contemporary biological study of human origins, emphasizing evolutionary theory, genetics,
non-human primates, and Paleoanthropology. The importance of technology and the emergence
and development of culture are also emphasized.

D.

Outline of the Course:
1. Course Introduction
2. Evolutionary Thought
3. Evolution and Inheritance
4. Population Genetics
5. Primate Characteristics
6. Living Primates
7. Fossils and Archaeology
8. Early Fossil Primates
9. Fossil Hominids and Hominins
10. Modern Human Variation
11. Patterns of Subsistance
12. Impact of Agriculture
13. Origins of Complex Societies

E.

Teaching Methodology (face to face or classroom)
A variety of teaching methodologies may be used in teaching this course. They include, but are
not limited to: lectures, PowerPoint images, assigned readings, case studies, multi-media
presentations, group discussions, and guest speakers. Emphasis will be placed on engaging the
learner for involvement and active participation in the learning process.
 

F.

Text
Sample texts include:
Tattersall, I. 2009. The Fossil Trail: How We Know What We Think We Know About
Human Evolution. New York: Oxford University Press.
Whitehead, P, Sacco, W, and Hochgraf, S. 2005. A Photographic Atlas for Physical
Anthropology. Englewood, CA: Morton.

G.

Assessment Activities (face to face or classroom). Individual instructors may customize
different activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

H.

Performance assessment tasks
 
Weekly assignments and reports
 
Exams and/or quizzes
 
Individual/Group projects
 
Case studies
 
Research Reports
 
Article/Book Critiques
 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities:
• Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.
• Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive
accommodations.
• Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically involve the
faculty.
• Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting
accommodations that involve the faculty.
Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation Approval
notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying,
providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
• Location:
• Phone:
• Fax:
• Email:
Web Site:

Azorsky Hall – Room 105
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://sai.calu.edu/osd

I.

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Cal U Library Subject Page for Anthropology: http://library.calu.edu/anthropology
Includes links for Anthropology-related article index search tools, such as
AnthroSource, SocINDEX, and OneSearch, as well as links to specific (and
general) Anthropology journals.


Available through the Manderino Library:
‒ American Journal of Physical Anthropology (print)






Yearbook of Physical Anthropology (print)
American Journal of Primatology (online)
Primates (online)

Available through the Departments of Biological and Environmental
Sciences and Law, Justice and Society:
‒ Assorted skeletal and cast materials for living and extinct primate
(human and non-human) species
Additional Information for Course Proposals

J.

Proposed Instructors:
Faculty in the Department of Justice, Law and Society (or the Department of Biological and
Environmental Sciences, if needed) with the requisite background in biological anthropology
may teach this course.

K.

Rationale for the Course:
Given that Anthropology is about the study of humans, it is important for anthropology majors to
have a course specializing on how humans came to exist as biological organisms and what
cultural factors have affected the continued adaptation and evolution of the modern human. This
course is also appropriate for biology majors interested in the emergence of humans.

L.

Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
No specialized equipment or supplies are needed.

M.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1.

Does the course require additional human resources?
This course does not require additional human resources.

2.

Does the course require additional physical resources?
This course does not require additional physical resources.

3.

Does the course change the requirements in any particular major?
This course does not change the requirements in any particular major.

3.

Is the course replacing an existing course?
This course does not replace an existing course.

4.

How often will the course be taught?

This course will be taught at least once every 4 years.
5.

Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College?
This course does not duplicate an existing course in another Department of College.

6.

What is the recommended maximum class size for this course?
The recommended class size is no more than 30 students.

N.

If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another
discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that
discipline.
The evolution of humans as a species and impact of cultural developments on the continued
development of modern humans is traditionally taught within the Anthropology discipline.

O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General
Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories for General
Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal
before consideration by the UCC.
This course is not being considered as a general education class.

P.

Provide Approval Form (electronically).

Additional Guidelines
The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your course
proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the department.
1.

Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course Proposals)
and that all questions have been completely answered.

2.

Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New Course
form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate signatures
have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the preferred method)
or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the Chair of the UCC is in
possession of these forms.

3.

Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being
required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you must
include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement sheet(s) with
your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the proposed course
change be included with your proposal.

4.

When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you must
provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson.

5.

All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum
Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6.

Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes, credit
changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New Course
Form and submit electronically.

7.

New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, or changes to advisement sheets will
become effective the fall semester following committee approval. The advisement
sheets must also include the committee approval date and the effective date on the
advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and /or Program Changes
form.

8.

New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval.

9.

Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the discipline.

10.

Online courses must follow the Quality Matters™ rubric and is posted on the UCC
website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement (refer E.2
above) that refers to the Quality Matters™ rubric.

11.

All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on the
UCC website.