Introduction to Biological Anthropology 

This is an online only class. Canvas will be used to access lectures, articles, videos, and quizzes. This course is organized into full semester on campus course. You can access CANVAS from the Saddleback College homepage or you can download the app to your smartphone or tablet. Assignments will be made available on Friday morning and will be available for about 10 days. Assignments include reading material, videos, and audio clips. Review work is composed of quizzes and discussion boards.

• This is an 8-Week course, preceded by the Orientation link.

• Weekly Modules become available to you in on Friday mornings at 8:00 AM. They will remain open for 9 days.

• Each week will have quizzes, and discussion boards every other week. Two sets of reminders will announce due dates for discussion board posts.

• The majority of your grade is based on exam scores. 

• Extra credit is offered for missing exam points.

• An optional trip to the San Diego Zoo will be offered.

For some of you, this may be your first experience in an online class. The first week is always the hardest. You are adjusting to a new teacher, student peers, and course schedule. Online classes require a serious time commitment. Ten days can go by very quickly, so do consider using a weekly course schedule I have provided here. In the same module, you will find a video on how to take notes in an online class. As I invite students to use notes during the exam, good note taking can make a big difference.

Week 1: Getting started

1. Read assignments in Module 1 by the first Wednesday of the week.

2. Submit your first post, your response to the discussion prompt, by Wednesday 11:59 pm.

3. Complete quizzes by Sunday 11:59 pm.

4. Submit second required post, your reply to another student, by Sunday 11:59 pm

I got into teaching because I love anthropology. I found that when I teach I learn too. Your perspectives are important. Every semester, every new student brings new ideas to concepts that I thought I knew everything about. To be honest I did not plan to be a teacher. I come from a low-income area and I am the first college student on both sides of my family ever. I wanted to be the Chicana in Science that other BIPOC would see and say "She did it, so can I." This is why I want to be there for all of you that are looking to change your lives. This can only happen with education. You took the right steps, you are starting at a community college. The words community and communication have the same prefix "communis" which means shared by all. Communication is important to me. I would like every student to feel comfortable asking questions. Teaching is not about lecturing. It is a two-way learning process. It is about recognizing that we all come from different places, but we can each bring perspectives and knowledge of our own.

A deal is an agreement entered into by two or more parties for their mutual benefit. In our case, we are agreeing to work together for your benefit. My job is to help you to succeed. With that in mind, I have provided a list of expectations you may have of me. Of course, the other part of a deal is your agreement. Below I have provided the expectations I have of you. As the COVID-19 quarantine has demonstrated to us, there are always going to be events that may alter our expectations of each other, however, through consistent communication, we can work together to be sure that you are successful.

I think it is really valuable to have another student's perspective about any class. Therefore, I have asked students to provide suggestions on what old students would tell new students. You can read their posts int he comments section of this video.

Contact information

• Email is the best way to communicate. I check my email often, particularly during the week, less so during the weekend. I will always do my best to respond right away, but it is also important to me that my family comes first. Therefore, please type your course ticket number in the subject line of your email and I will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours or less.

• I will have zoom office hours by appointment only.

For some of you, this may be your first experience in an online class. The first week is always the hardest. You are adjusting to a new teacher, student peers, and course schedule. It helps to have a support team in the same class. Please be sure to participate in the introduction discussion where you can "meet" your classmates. From this great group, you will be able to identify people that have many of the same interests, this can be the start of a friendship. It can also be the best way to a high letter grade in the class. 

How is your work is graded?

• Assignments are in the form of discussions, quizzes, and exams. 

• Discussions are worth 10 points each and cannot be made up. Take time to review the rubric so that you know what is required.

• Exams are worth 100 points each. These are mainly multiple-choice, but there are several critical thinking essay questions.

• Extra Credit is possible and up to 40 points. However, there are stipulations. A student can only miss one discussion to be able to receive extra credit. You can read more about this in my syllabus below.

What’s a Student Learning Outcome?

Student Learning Outcomes are the goals you are aiming to achieve by the 

end of this course.

Our Course Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Define the scope of anthropology and discuss the role of biological anthropology within the discipline.

2. Discuss evolutionary theory, both before and after Charles Darwin, and how it relates to human origins and behavior.

3. Explain the differences between science and faith.

4. Describe the four forces, or biological mechanisms, of evolutionary change including mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.

5. Explain the origin and evolution of primates.

6. Distinguish between the different primate taxonomic groupings.

7. Compare and contrast the behavioral patterns found in the different primate taxonomic groups.

8. Use key fossils to demonstrate human evolution, particularly as it relates to anatomical changes associated with bipedalism, changes in the size and structure of the brain, and the development of culture.

9. Discuss theories of human origins using current fossil and genetic evidence.

10. Describe some of the adaptive reasons for human physical variation.

11. Articulate an anthropological perspective on biological ancestry and race.

Everyone needs support. Nothing made that more obvious than quarantine. As primates, we need each other. Biologically, we need each other. Socially, we need each other, Saddleback College offers a number of services and resources to help you. Including housing, food, and mental health. Mental health is one of the most misunderstood support systems out there. Much of the stress and anxiety we have is based on our lack of understanding how to cope. Please, take a few minutes to check out these links. You may find something you need. You can always contact me and I will do my best to help.

C.A.R.E. (Community Allocated Resources for Everyone) Corner is an on-campus Basic Needs Center for all students (CARE Program). 

Support includes:

Students with Dependent Children

Food

Housing

Mental and Physical Health

Diapers

Hygiene

Financial Wellness

C.A.R.E. Corner Closet

Transportation

Utilities and Technology

Domestic Violence Resources

Legal Services: including immigration

Employment

Additional Campus Resources

Also:

BRIDGES to Foster Student Success Program (BRIDGES)

• California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)

• Child Development Center

• Counseling Services 

• Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)

• Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS/CARE)

• Promise Program 

• International Student Program

• Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS)

Each person functions differently. Each class has a different setup. The only thing that is consistent is the work. Therefore, it is a good idea to create a schedule. This will help you to stay on track. There will be times when you are playing catch up, just email and let me know if you cannot get a post in on Wednesday. Remember communication is key. 

I would also like to remind you that you can always ask for help. It may be hard at first, but asking for help can make all the difference in the world.