ANTH 4120/5120 Advanced
Physical Anthropology (Hominid Paleoecology)
Fall 2007
Meeting Place: Hale 260
Meeting Time: MWF
Professor:
Office: Hale 347
Office Hours: MWF
Phone: 303-735-2065
Email: matt.sponheimer@colorado.edu
Website: http://www.colorado.edu/anthropology/sponheimer
Mirror: http://melampus.colorado.edu/class
Class
Overview
The goal of this class is to introduce you to
current thinking about hominid paleoecology. The course will have four
sections. Section I (~5 weeks) will be a brief review of current thinking about
human evolution and an introduction to human and non-human primate ecology. In
Sections II and III (~6 weeks), we will explore methods for paleoenvironmental
and paleodietary reconstruction respectively, with an emphasis on australopith
paleoecology. In Section IV (~5 weeks) we
will concentrate on the ecology of early Homo and you will present your
team projects in class.
There is no available textbook on this subject, so the reading will consist of book chapters and journal articles. These readings will be available on a secure webpage (https://melampus.colorado.edu/class/readings/4120).
Class
Format
This is an upper division discussion course. You are expected to actively and vocally engage with the concepts introduced
on a consistent basis.
Grading
You will be evaluated on your class participation (20%),
three papers/exams (20% each), and a team project (20%).
Disabilities
If you qualify for
accommodations because of a disability, please bring me a letter from
Disability Services so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services (303-492-8671, Willard
322, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices) determines
accommodations based on documented disabilities.
Dates to Remember
Papers/exams due on October 1st, October 31st, and December
7th; Team Presentations December 12th and 14th.