A105 Human Origins and Prehistory is an introduction to the fascinating, exciting story of human evolution. We'll be examining the evidence provided by the fossil and archaeological records, using several key concepts as a guide to current theories on how humans evolved.
We'll also be looking at our close primate relatives for
clues as to how and why humans became unique primates, walking upright,
using language, and becoming dependent upon technology and culture for
survival. In short, we'll be exploring the human story, from the
earliest hominids through at least the appearance of fully modern human
behavior.
Announcements
4-29-2002
I've posted a brief summary of what I presented at tonight's review session, as a number of you weren't able to attend due to schedule conflicts:
4-23-2002
Just a reminder for everyone: The final exam is on Wednesday, May 1, from 7:15-9:15 p.m. in our regular classroom (SB 150). I'll be holding a review session on Monday, April 29, starting at 5 p.m. either in Studend Building room 050 or outside on the front lawn (weather permitting) -- come to room 050 first. I'll present a short list of last-minute study tips and then answer any questions you have; I'll be available until 6:30 at least. For those of you who can't make it but still have questions, I'll still be keeping my office hours next Tuesday (10-11:30 a.m.), and of course you can always e-mail me. The last time I'll check my e-mail and answer questions before the exam will be at 6 p.m. the day of the test.
I've posted the information I gave in class last night about the final exam at the end of the Lecture 13 outline.
I'm hoping to get Assignment 3 graded by the end of this week. If that happens, I'll post the grades on post'em and send out an e-mail letting you know. If any of you are planning to turn in a fourth assignment in order to drop your lowest assignment grade, those assignments will be due at the final exam, though of course you are welcome to hand them in earlier!
Happy studying!
4-15-2002
The notes from last week and this week's lecture are now posted.
The answer key for Exam 2 will be posted either later today or tomorrow,
and grades up through Exam 2 and Assignment 2 will be available through
PostEm by tomorrow as well. Note that Assignment 3 is now due a week
from today, April 22, at the beginning of class.
3-26-2002
The notes from last night's lecture are now posted, as well as the answers for the last two activities. I've also put the descriptions of your Assignment 3 choices up; note that these papers will be due April 15. I'll be taking the books and chapters listed for Assignment 3a to place on reserve in the Geography and Map Library (bottom floor of the Student Building on the side nearest the Union) tomorrow, so they should be available shortly.
3-16-2002
The lecture notes for Monday's lecture are now posted. Don't forget to bring Assignment 2 to hand in! We'll also be having an activity on Monday night.
3-5-2002
The revised lecture notes from last night are now posted in the Lecture Outline section. Don't forget, Assignment 2 is due the Monday after break (March 18)!
2-19-2002
I've posted your choices for your second assignment on the Assignments page, as well as the answer key for the first exam. Monday's lecture (2/18) is up as well, and I've fixed the link to Post'Em (the Grades link to the left). I've fixed that link on all the pages I've updated so far, but there may be some that still don't work -- the one on this page is good for sure, though. The exams will be graded by next Monday; hopefully I'll get the scores posted on Post'Em sometime this weekend.
CLICK HERE for Exam 1 Answer Key.
2-15-2002
The first assignment is now graded, and the grades are up at Post'Em (follow the Grades link to the left; use your network ID to get in). The sample answer is now posted; click on Assignment 1 and you'll find the answers after each question.
2-12-2002
The lecture outlines from the last two lectures are now posted, as are the taphonomy/dating and primate classification activities. I've also posted up some answers to the questions I asked you to think about during last night's video -- this isn't an activity, just some information you might find helpful when studying. Over the next couple of days I'll be going over your readings, and I'll let you know if there are any passages that might be particularly useful to study. I'm in the process of grading your assignments, and I'll post a sample answer when I'm closer to getting done, so watch your inbox for further announcements about website updates!
1-31-2002
I've revised the Lecture 3 outline to include the last few primate trends introduced in class. Also, the osteology assignment is on the web, along with diagrams of a skull and skeleton. The assignments won't be graded until Feb. 11; I'll be posting a sample answer on the website before handing them back...they look pretty good so far. Please note next week's reading assignment on the Topic Schedule page -- we're skipping ahead several chapters. If your guest lecturer has any passages she wants you to concentrate on, she'll be sending you an e-mail in the next couple of days. There will be another activity this coming Monday (Feb. 4), so come ready to participate!!
1-28-2002
Tonight's lecture outline is now posted.
You can also view the answer to the Mendelian genetics activity from the
14th through the Activities link. Don't forget to bring Assignment
1 to class! We'll be having an in-class activity on human osteology
tonight, so you'll be working in groups of 3 or 4.
1-14-2002
Tonight's lecture outline is now posted. Also, Assignment 1 is
officially assigned today, so be sure to look it over and let me know if
you have any questions. If you ARE NOT receiving course e-mails at
your preferred address, please e-mail me and let me know what address you
want me to add to the e-mail list for you. We'll be having an in-class
activity tonight, so come ready to work in pairs!
1-10-2002
The complete topic schedule is now posted, including updated reading assignments for this week and next. It's still subject to change, but I doubt there will be any big changes at this point.
Note that I've added another element to participation -- "mini-assignments." These will be very short (one page or less) written responses to a few of the issues raised in class; they'll be announced in class and here as well. Don't stress out about them; think of them as an opportunity to earn some easy points -- just like all participation points, you get graded on completion and effort, not being "correct." Usually I'll be interested in your opinions on these, so there's no right or wrong anyhow.
Your first assignment will be officially assigned
next week, but it's already posted if you want to preview it.
1-7-2002
Welcome to the home page for Anthropology A105, Human Origins and Prehistory, section 0377! This little web site will be your main destination for administrative-type course announcements throughout the semester; I've found this to be the best way to handle communication when we only see each other once a week. It will also be the place to go for the syllabus and topic schedule, assignments, brief lecture outlines, activity set answers, and anything else having to do with the course. There are also links to research (and, soon, anthropology-related) websites and to Post 'Em, where you can view your grades. So, it's definitely a very good idea to get in the habit of checking this site regularly, at least once per week.
Once the drop/add period ends, I'll also be putting together an e-mail
list that you'll all receive. I'll be using this list mainly for
very brief announcements -- i.e., "Your exam grades are now posted!" "Sample
assignment answer on the website!" -- but you should all feel free to make
contact with each other via this list. For example, one semester
several students set up a study group using the list, something I would
encourage. If you have a question specifically for me, though, use
my e-mail address . One little warning: This list goes to my inbox
as well (so I can make sure things are working ), so don't e-mail anything
to the list that you don't want me to read! :-)
- This page was last updated 19 February 2002
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~a105lh/index.html
Contact: lharlack@indiana.edu
Copyright 2002, The Trustees of Indiana University