Anthropology 307

Human Variation

Previous Exams

TT 10:00- 11:30, Louderman Hall 458

Professor Erik Trinkaus
McMillan 111
Tel: 935-5207
trinkaus@artsci.wustl.edu
Office Hours: T 2:45-3:30

TA: Seth Dobson
sddobson@artsci.wustl.edu

 

Course Syllabus
(Tentative - Will Be Revised)

Week Dates Topic(s) Readings
(to be listed)
I 8/28 Introduction
II 9/2, 9/4 History of Perspectives on "Race" 
Current Questions Regarding "Race"
Molnar Ch. 2& 6
III 9/9, 9/11 Species, Populations, and Races
Human Anatomical Variation: Inheritance and Plasticity
Molnar ppg. 294-301
Harrison ppg. 147-219
IV 9/16,9/18 Measuring Similarities and Differences
V 9/23, 9/25 Human Anatomical Variations: Features that are only Skin Deep Molnar 221-226, 236-238;
Harrison 308-321
VI 9/30, 10/02 Human Anatomical Variation: Heads and Teeth Molnar 187- 197
    Test I (9/30): Material Through Week V  
VII 10/7, 10/9 Human Anatomical Variation: Bodies & Limbs  Molnar 181-187
Harrison 296-308
VIII 10/14, 10/16 DNA Protein Markers and other Biochemical Variants in Populations Molnar Chps. 3 &4 Harrison ppg. 220-295, 322-333
IX 10/21 10/23 Adaptation and Accomodation 
Human Disease Ecology
Molnar Chp. 8
Baker 439-449, 508-544
X 10/28, 10/30 Thermoregulation 
Body Size and Body Form
Molnar pg. 197-201
Baker pg. 450 -471
XI 11/2, 11/4 Respiration and Noses 
    Test II (11/4) Material Week VI through X  
XII 11/9, 11/11 Skin Pigmentation & Solar Radiation
Adjustments to High Altitude I
Molnar pg. 226-236
XIII 11/18, 11/20 Adjustments to High Altitude II
Adjustments to Changing to Environmental Richness: Growth
Baker pg. 471-478
XIV 11/25, 11/27 Adjustments to Changing Environmental Richness: IQ Molnar pg. 202-221 Ch. 7
Tanner pg. 339-404
XV 12/2, 12/4 Evolutionary Origins of Modern Human Variation Molnar pg. 26-29 Pilbeam pg. 124-142
  12/19 Final Exam (3:30-5:30) Weeks XI- XV, Comprehensive

Readings:

The readings are in the two textbooks:

Molnar, S. (2002) Human Variation, 5th ed. Prentice-Hall.

Harrison, G.A., Tanner, J.M., Pilbeam, D.R. & Baker, P.T. (1988) Human Biology, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press.

The chapters or pages are indicated with each week’s topics. Note that some pages are repeated, since they apply to more than one lecture topic.  Not all of the topics covered in the readings will be covered in lecture, and not all of the lecture topics have associated readings. 

             

Requirements:

There will be two in-class exams and a final exam. The exams will integrate material from both the lectures and the readings. The first one will cover the material from the first five weeks, and the second exam will cover the material from weeks VI to X. The final exam will both cover the material from the remaining weeks of the semester (XI to XV) and cover general concepts from the entire semester.

It is assumed that you already have a knowledge of the basic mechanics and processes of genetics and evolution (Anthropology 150 or Biology equivalent), although key issues will be mentioned and the background chapter in Molnar (Chapter 2) is included among the early readings. The textbook contains technical details regarding especially human genetics. You will be responsible for the key concepts and issues, but not for all of the technical details.