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INSTRUCTOR:  Suzanne Reilly, http://virtual.parkland.edu/sreilly

OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS:  D-169; 11:00 – 12:00 Noon Mondays

CONTACT INFORMATION:  (217) 353-2047; sreilly@parkland.edu

REQUIRED READINGS:  Jurmain, Robert, Lynn Kilgore and Wenda Trevathan.  Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 11^th edition. United States.  Thomson Wadsworth Publishers, 2008; Assigned readings.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  Introduction to principles and course of human evolution from perspective of biological and social sciences; introduction to archaeological methods.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Introduction to Physical Anthropology is the study of human evolution, with an emphasis on the interaction between biology and culture.

ORGANIZATION: This course will be student-centered and organized around a study group model rather than a lecture format.  I see my role as a facilitator rather than a dispenser of knowledge.  This calls on YOU to take an active and responsible role in YOUR education.  Most class sessions will be spent working on team learning assignments and discussing the assigned readings for the day.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: You will not be successful in this class if you do not attend class regularly.  The Parkland College Catalog states that faculty should withdraw students at midterm who are not, due to lack of attendance, actively pursuing course completion.  At midterm, I will withdraw students I consider to be in this category.  Once midterm is over, however, I cannot withdraw students.  If you choose not to complete the course you will need to withdraw yourself.

GRADING:  In order to assure fairness and improve accuracy, grades are determined by a combination of different assessment techniques.  Your performance on these assessments earns you a particular grade.  You control the grade you earn; you are responsible for the grade you earn.  If you do not understand how you have earned a particular grade – see me.

Exams:  There will be four multiple-choice and short essay exams which will cover major sections in the course.  Each exam is worth 100 points. 

Labs:  There will be four labs in this course covering such topics as natural selection, hominid evolution, and forensic anthropology.  Each is worth 100 points. 

Projects/Presentations:  In this course you will work in teams to research, write and/or present information to your fellow students on various topics within Physical Anthropology.  There will be three projects/presentations and each is worth 100 points.

Instructor Points:  At various times in the semester, I will assign homework for you to improve your comprehension of material as well as ask you to react to articles, web sites and films on topics within the discipline.

To summarize the grading system:

1200 – 1080 = A             1079 – 960 = B             959 - 840 = C             839 – 720 = D

POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:  All work is due on time, word-processed and should be completed according to the guidelines given.  It’s a good idea to save a copy of all of your assignments before submitting them.  If written work does not meet general criteria for college work, I may request that you re-do the assignment and accept the penalty for late work.

Please, out of respect for me and your fellow classmates, arrive to class on time and turn off your cell phones.  If you have a special reason for needing to leave your cell phone on during one or two classes, speak to me about it before class.  Persistent lateness may result in a reduction of your final grade.

Finally, in this course we will explore many issues, some of which you or your fellow classmate may consider sensitive.  It is imperative that OUR classroom is a place where EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US feels safe and comfortable to speak.  Thus, we will listen to and regard one another with RESPECT.

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS:  The Center for Academic Success provides a wide range of academic support services to enable you to learn well, grow as a student, succeed in your classes, and excel at what you do.  These services include the following:

       Tutoring and Learning Assistance:  Make use of walk-in tutoring services provided by faculty, staff and trained peer tutors on a daily basis.  Many students come to get help in reading, writing, math (all levels), and study skills. 

       For-credit Instructional Modules and Supplemental Tutorials:  Enroll in one-credit hour Tutorials to supplement classroom instruction in reading, writing, and math.  Instructional Modules are also available to eligible students to complete certain coursework requirements.

       Advising and Advocacy:  Work with our team of advocates and academic advisor to plan a semester schedule, understand transfer requirements, or manage issues that stand in the way of school.  For more information, please contact:

Anita Taylor    Room D120    353-2005

Gail Hoke        Room D120    351-2441     or send e-mail to CenterForAcademicSuccess@parkland.edu

If you believe you have a disability for which you may need an academic accommodation (e.g. an alternate testing environment, use of assistive technology or other classroom assistance) please contact:

    Becky Osborne, Coordinator, Office of Disability Services    Room X148        353-2082

    or send e-mail to bosborne@parkland.edu

~   SCHEDULE   ~

The last day to withdraw with W grade from full-semester courses is May 2.