ANTHRO 726A/B : Advanced Biological Anthropology

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A critical review of key theoretical underpinnings and current debates in biological anthropology including Darwinism, population biology, adaptation and adaptability, evolutionary perspectives on modern humans and primatology.

Course Overview

This course gives students an opportunity to critically read, debate and thoughtfully evaluate some of the most important issues in biological anthropology including evolutionary theory as it applies to humans, paying particular attention to theoretical perspectives, the hypotheses generated from them and the various assumptions and evidence underpinning debates, past and current.   

The course is taught in a seminar format with everyone having a set role for each week so that we equally participate in discussions and debates. In semester one we will focus upon evolutionary theory as it applies to humans, starting with the texts most frequently cited and never read – Darwin and Wallace – we will then move on to consider debates around the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, including niche construction, plasticity, developmental systems.  Our focus will be on how these ideas apply and change our view of human evolution.   

In semester two we then turn to the various areas covered by biological anthropology and analyse how these have changed and developed.  Using the theoretical background developed in semester one, we consider the different subfields and what research questions are appearing and how they can be tackled.  In this semester students have the opportunity to identify areas they are particularly interested in following.  

Course Requirements

Restriction: ANTHRO 710, 751, 752 To complete this course students must enrol in ANTHRO 726 A and B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Be able to identify and thoughtfully evaluate hypotheses derived from various theories (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
  2. To recognise strengths and weaknesses of, or limitations to, various arguments and be able to suggest what more could usefully be done to resolve disagreements or uncertainties (Capability 1.2 and 3.1)
  3. Be able to demonstrate effective library research skills including being able to track arguments and ideas both backwards and forwards (Capability 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Be able to to formulate and organise a logical written argument (Capability 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  5. Be able to to give and respond to constructive comment on both written and oral work through oral participation in the class and responding to draft comments in written work (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 5.2)
  6. Be able to present opinions and work orally to a small group and participate in such discussions (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Short Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Long Essay 50% Individual Coursework
Seminar participation 20% Individual Coursework
Peer review 10% Individual Coursework
The assessment for this semester is part of the 30 pt 726 A and B.  Therefore semester 1 work will count for 50% of your grade for this course. 

Next offered

2021 Semester 1

Module

See on Canvas for detailed course outline (pull down syllabus). 

Learning Resources

There are articles to be read each week and these will be available via Canvas. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of seminars, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 14/01/2020 10:18 a.m.