TESTS: There will be three tests, each worth 25% of your final grade. Test dates are listed on the syllabus. Questions for tests will be obtained from reading assignments, guest lectures, videos, class lectures, and handouts.

Missed tests must be rescheduled immediately upon the student’s return to school. There is no final exam. SNAP students must notify me one week prior to a test if they plan to take the test at an alternate location.

MISSED TESTS CANNOT BE RESCHEDULED UNLESS THE ABSENCE IS DOCUMENTED BY THE UNDERGRADUATE DEAN. Bring your documentation to the second floor of Randolph Hall. The Dean will send me an email when your documentation has been submitted.

QUIZZES: Ten unannounced quizzes will be given throughout the semester. Questions for quizzes will come from required readings. The top eight quiz grades will be counted and will equal 25% of the final grade, in other words, the two lowest grades will be dropped. You are not permitted to make up quizzes even if you have an excused absence. In addition to dropping your two lowest quiz grades, you will also be permitted to do one quiz substitutions. All substitutions require a one page typed summary or review. All substitutions must be submitted by the beginning of class on November 21.

Approved quiz substitutions:

1. For up to 80 points you may watch an approved anthropology video from the library (a list of videos is available on WebCt) and write a one page typed summary/critique. Attach your notes to the summary

2. For up to 80 points you may attend an approved lecture on campus and write a one page typed summary/critique. Attach your notes to the summary. Lectures will be announced throughout the semester.

3. For up to 85 points you may visit the Charleston Museum or the Hunley and write a one page typed review of your visit. Attach your notes and proof of your visit (ticket, brochure, etc.) to the review.

Violations of the College of Charleston Honor Code will be taken very seriously. Violations include lying, cheating, attempted cheating, stealing, attempted stealing, and plagiarism. See your Student Handbook for a full discussion of Honor Code violations and penalties.

Grading Scale:

90 - 100 = A (360 - 400 total points) 64 - 69 = D (256 - 279 total points)

86 - 89 = B+ (344 - 359 total points) 63 and below = F (255 total points and below)

80 - 85 = B (320 - 343 total points)

76 - 79 = C+ (304 - 319 total points)

70 - 75 = C (280 - 303 total points)

Your final grade will be based on three tests (25% each or 75% total) and your combined top eight quiz grades for 25%

Class Topics

Day	Date	Topic
August 24	W	Introduction, syllabus review, common cross-cultural differences
August 26	F	Anthropology: What is it? Why is it important? Subfields and methods
August 29	M	Ethnocentrism, Cultural relativism, Culture bound ideas and their reinforcement in popular culture, the Kung Bushmen
August 31	W	Culture bound ideas/preconceptions and scientific fallacies. Piltdown Man, Morton’s skulls, Moundbuilders. The self-correcting nature of science.
Sept 2	F	Importance of time/space context and theoretical orientation: Conflicting studies of the Yanomamo
Sept 5	M	Archaeology: What is it? Subfields and methods. Impt of context
Sept 7	W	Dating the past. Archaeology and the law. Forensic Anthropology
Sept 9	F	Interpreting an archaeological site
Sept 12	M	Archaeology in the Lowcountry
Sept 14	W	Native Americans: Origins and migrations, NAGPRA
Sept 16	F	Creationism vs. Evolution, genetics, mechanisms of evolution
Sept 19	M	Human variation, race as a social construct
Sept 21	W	Prosimians and anthropoids. Anatomical and social similarities
Sept 23	F	Social group behavior, evolution of early primates
Sept 26	M	Test I
Sept 28	W	The evolution of bipedalism
Sept 30	F	Australopithicines
October 3	M	Early Homo and Homo erectus
October 5	W	Homo erectus and Homo floresiensis
October 7	F	Transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens
October 10	M	The Neanderthal debate
October 12	W	Upper Paleolithic Europe
October 14	F	Domestication of plants and animals: where, when, and why
October 19	W	Consequences of food production, dev of the state and urban life
October 21	F	Political systems and development of social inequality
October 24	M	Ethnicity and race
October 26	W	Biological determinism and the consequences
October 28	F	Test II
October 31	M	Culture and adaptation
November 2	W	Enculturation and cultural variation
November 4	F	Language and communication
November 7	M	Subsistence: hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists
November 9	W	Subsistence: pastoralists and intensive agriculturalists
November 11	F	Family and households
November 14	M	Marriage practices
November 16	W	Gender and gender roles
November 18	F	Sexuality
November 21	M	Religion and magic
November 28	M	Body art
November 30	W	Colonialism, development, and modern world system
November 2	F	Cultural exchange and survival
December 5	M	Test III