SYLLABUS

TOPIC SCHEDULE

GRADES

ASSIGNMENTS

SCHOLAR LINKS

ACTIVITIES

LECTURE OUTLINES

RETURN TO A105

 A105 Human Origins and Prehistory
Assignments

This page will contain links to the course assignments as they are assigned.  However, because you will have a choice of topics for two of the assignments, here is a brief synopsis of each assignment to help you choose which ones you prefer to complete.

Assignment 1. Natural Selection in Modern Humans.  This assignment requires you to read a brief selection (handed out in class) concerning sickle cell anemia and answer four questions about the reading.  This assignment generally requires about 2 pages of text to successfully complete.  Everyone will be doing this assignment.


Assignment 2.  Archaeology in Your Own Backyard OR The Human Primate.  This assignment gives you a chance to apply some of the palaeoanthropological tools you've been learning about to modern people.  You will be either studying humans as primates or applying archaeological techniques to some very recent cultural debris.  Whichever one you choose, you'll be writing at least two pages of text and putting together some visual aids to illustrate your points.  Assignment 2 will be due March 18.
 


 

Assignment 3.  Media Representations of Our Ancestors OR A Day in the Life of a Hominid.  For this assignment you'll be either critiquing a medial portrayal of a hominid (Media Representations) or creating one yourself (Day in the Life).  Either way, you'll be looking at some sources other than your textbook.  Although Assignment 3 won't be due until mid-April, you might want to keep it in mind as we start the hominid section of the class, and maybe start investigating the hominid most interesting to you a little further -- I'll be providing a list of media representations closer to the assign date, but it never hurts to think ahead a little!  There are some media representations listed with Assignment 3a; I should be adding more once the second exam is written.