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 A105 Human Origins and Prehistory
Assignment 2

Assignment 2b: The Human Primate

Place: Planet Earth
Mission: Assessment of Earth Creatures, “Humans”

Background:

You are a member of a survey team exploring the galaxy on the spaceship Beagle.  Your continuing mission is to seek out new life forms developing on several different life-bearing planets.  Your team has been on earth for a few months now, and your team leader has given you a special assignment: to survey and monitor the primates of earth.  Already you have spent several weeks in South America, Asia, and Africa investigating the behavior and biology of the prosimians, monkeys, and apes, but now you have received a new challenge: visit Bloomington, Indiana, and carry out an in-depth study of the primate that calls itself  “human.”  You must disguise yourself and pose as a student at Indiana University, and observe these “human” primates wherever you see them: in classes, libraries, eating places, playing games and sports – in short, wherever they can be found.

Project: 

You are to prepare a short written report on these creatures.  This should be at least two pages in length, and will include (in addition to the two pages of text) pictures and other visuals that illustrate points that you will be making.  Refer to these in the report.  As always, this report should be double spaced, with one-inch margins and a font size no greater than 12 point.  Pictures may be taken from published sources, but your team leader will be especially impressed if you take some photos yourself.

Specifics:

 Your report should have the following information:

1. Assessment of the biology of these primates, compared to the other primates you have seen.  This will include locomotion, diet, and a brief physical description.
2. Assessment of their behavior, also compared to other primates.  You should make note of the types of social groups “humans” form, and what kinds of activities they engage in.  How is this different from nonhuman primates?

Deadline:  This project will be due Monday, March 18, 2002 at the beginning of class..