Week 1 – Defining Physical Anthropology | Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Reminder: Some of this week’s readings are hosted on MSU Google Drive. These are only accessible using your MSU Google Apps account. When you open the link, you’ll be prompted to select which google account you want to open them with – use your MSU Google Apps account (which requires your regular MSU Net ID and password). If you choose your non-MSU google account, you won’t be able to open the file. Do not request access to the files with your non-MSU Google account.

Lecture: 1.1. What is Physical Anthropology? (13 min)
Lecture: 1.2. The Biocultural Interaction (20 min)
Lecture: 1.3. What is a Trait? (20 min)
PDF: 1.1. Wiener – Evolution in Action
Link: 1.1. Diamond – The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race
Link: 1.2. Explore websites for professional anthropology organizations, including the American Association of Physical Anthropologists and American Anthropological Association
Link: 1.3. Humans Have Evolved to Reproduce, Not to be Healthy – Listen to the Audio

10-Question MC quiz in D2L (complete by 11:30PM on Friday) – 60 minute time limit once you start the quiz
Reflection Blog Post (Due Friday by 11:30PM):
- Prompt: (500-words) Explore one website for a professional organization representing a subfield of biological anthropology, discuss the ways in which such studies contribute to the broader themes of anthropology.
Reflection Blog Comments (Due Sunday by 11:30PM): (125 words each) Read 2 other students’ postings from this week’s reflection posts and leave a comment.