SOC 230HW - Physical Anthropology and Archaeology - Honors

Credits: 4
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Introduces the origin and evolution of humankind's physical and cultural development. Emphasizes the evidence and theories of human evolution and a survey of Old World and New World archeology. Provides opportunities to engage in Independent intellectual inquiry to foster deeper learning. Credit may be earned in only one of SOC 230W, SOC 230HW, BIO 230W, or BIO 230HW.

Prerequisite(s): READING LEVEL 4 and WRITING LEVEL 4, MATH LEVEL 2, or permission of Honors Office.
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 60 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: Social Science
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

Identify the scientific method as applied to the study of humanity’s biological and cultural development and to practice critical thinking using a scientific approach.
1. Apply the scientific method to the study of human evolution and of archaeology.
2. Differentiate physical anthropology and archaeology from other academic disciplines.
3. Appreciate the applications of the knowledge of physical anthropology and of archaeology to the understanding of modern humanity and its origins.
4. List the main contributions of influential physical anthropologists and archaeologists.
Employ the concepts of physical anthropology to describe and explain the general process of hominization as it is demonstrated by the fossil record.
1. Identify and describe the major morphological and behavioral components of hominization.
2. Apply the modern synthetic theory of evolution to explain the process of hominization.
3. Differentiate between pongids and hominids and describe the uses of primatology in the interpretation of the morphology and behavior of fossil hominids.
4. Distinguish among the Pliocene hominid genera and paleospecies and place them in the currently accepted hominid phylogeny.
5. Distinguish among the Pleistocene hominid genera and paleospecies and place them in the currently accepted hominid phylogeny.
6. Assess the multiregional paradigm and the replacement paradigm for modern human development.
7. Compare and contrast the race paradigm with the view of modern anthropometry.
Employ the concepts of archaeology to describe and explain the general course of hominid technological and social development and its correlation with hominid biological evolution.
1. Identify and describe the archaeological evidence of the Pliocene (including Lower Paleolithic).
2. Describe the correlation of Pliocene archaeological evidence with hominid paleospecies and describe its contribution to our understanding of the hominization process.
3. Identify and describe the archaeological evidence of the Pleistocene (including Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic; Mesolithic and Neolithic).
4. Describe the correlation of early and middle Pleistocene archaeological evidence with hominid paleospecies and describe its contribution to our understanding of the hominization process.
5. Identify and describe the stages of prehistoric technological and social development of modern Homo sapiens and compare and contrast the course of that development for the Old World and the New World.
Use writing tasks to promote learning.
1. Practice critical writing skills within the subject.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.
Practice intellectual curiosity and apply it in Independent ways to deepen understanding of course material.
1. Complete at least one significant project, either individually or as a group depending on the instructor’s discretion, and work with the instructor to assure that the project demonstrates intellectual curiosity and academic rigor.
2. Actively engage with peers in conversations, seminars, or in other formats at the instructor’s discretion to enhance the depth of knowledge of the relevant material.