This course provides laboratory work that reinforces the material presented in ANTH 230. Emphasis is on laboratory exercises which may include genetic analysis, fossil identification, skeletal comparisons, forensics, computer simulations, and field observations. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the methods, techniques, and procedures used in biological anthropology.

Today physical and social scientists use the scientific method to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence, and employ mathematical analysis in their work. Scientific theory constitutes the attempt to explain observable phenomena within a specifiable domain of investigation (chemistry, physics, psychology, anthropology). In a more limited sense a scientific theory is a set of statements permitting prediction and explanation of phenomena.
Science through application of the research paradigm known as the scientific method involves prediction not description. In this course, students enhance their understanding of the scientific method and the principles and concepts involved in the field of biological anthropology through laboratory exercises. Through their lab work, students learn to apply the scientific method and employ the scientific data, methodology, models, and skills employed in the discipline.
Germano, Michael P.

Dr. Germano brings over forty years of professional experience in educational leadership, teaching, corporate and business law, entrepreneurship, and institutional advancement initiatives to the LU presidency. He is a member of the California State Bar and was admitted to practice in the federal district courts of Southern California and East Texas. He taught business law at West Coast University (Los Angeles) and at Ambassador University (Big Sandy, Texas). Affiliated with Ambassador University (formerly Ambassador College) since 1959, he served as chief academic officer at two of its campuses. He left Ambassador as a professor emeritus in 1997 and completed a master's degree in archaeology/anthropology at Texas A&M in 2000. He then left retirement to serve several years as the chief academic officer at Haywood Community College at Clyde, North Carolina. He held responsibilities in AU's involvement in archaeological excavations at Jerusalem's south Temple Mount directed by Benjamin Mazar, the Jordan Umm el-Jimal Project directed by Bert de Vries, the Syria Mozan Expedition directed by Giorgio Buccellati and Marilyn Kelly-Buccellati, and the northern Israel Hazor Excavations in memory of Yigael Yadin directed by Amnon Ben-Tor. Ordained in 1983, Dr. Germano is an elder in the Living Church of God.
On successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:
- Apply the scientific method to the analysis of lab activity results or materials;
- Demonstrate the principles of natural selection, inheritance and basic genetics;
- Identify bones and bone elements of the skeleton in humans and other species;
- Compare and evaluate non-human primate and human skeletal and dental features;
- Classify primates according to diagnostic features of taxonomic groups;
- Observe and evaluate primate behavior using anthropological practices;
- Demonstrate and apply anthropometric techniques;
- Identify key anatomical features of the hominids and other taxonomic groups;
- Analyze and compare skeletal materials to determine or infer species, age, sex, stature and behavior of the living organism; and
- Define key terms.
Walker-Pacheco, Suzane E. Exploring Physical Anthropology: A Lab Manual & Workbook. 2nd ed. Englewood, CO: Morton Publishing Company, 2010.
Lab exercise | Topics | Readings |
---|---|---|
1 |
Scientific Method; Human Genetics and Natural Selection |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 1-5; 17-24; 35-38; 41-42; 47-52; |
2 |
Mitosis and Meiosis Principles of Inheritance |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 65-72; 83-88; 93-94; 97-99 |
3 |
Population Genetics; Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 113-117 |
4 |
Human Osteology |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 135-144 |
5 |
Primate Comparative Anatomy and Development |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 217-221; 225-226; 279-285 |
6 |
Primate Taxonomy and Behavior |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 235-236; 239-241; 245-247 |
7 |
Early Hominins and Bipedality |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 303-305; 309-312; 315-316 |
8 |
Early Homo |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 331-334 |
9 |
Later Homo and Neanderthals |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 339-341 |
10 |
Bioarcheology, Forensics and Human Variation |
Walker-Pacheco pp. 151-155; 161-164; 169-172 |
- Due dates and extensions: Submit assignments on or before the date due. Students must complete the course by the last official dat of instruction as set forth in the academic calendar.
- Icebreaker: To officially begin this course you must complete an Icebreaker assignment by which you introduce yourself to your classmates through posting a short autobiography on a course discussion forum. A student can earn 30 points by posting the Icebreaker assignment on time. These points could make the difference between an A or a B, or pasing or not passing this course.
- The Icebreaker must be completed, including comments to other students' bios, not later than the eighth day of the semester.
- Post your biography as a reply to the "Icebreaker" topic on the lesson "Welcome and Overview" discussion forum.
- Please post your bio not later than the fifth day of the semester, so that your classmates have opportunity to welcome you to the course.
- Please read and comment on at least two other bios by the due date in order to get credit.
- Full credit for this assignment will only be given if all of the above requirements are met.
- Reading assignments: Reading assignments are integrated into the lesson pages at the course website. For a consolidated list, see the Course Calendar section above.
- Writing Assignments: All writing assignments in this course should follow the MLA style as set forth in Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide (14th edition) by Lester & Lester. Please cite your sources and used quotation marks where needed. To submit your work, select the appropriate assignment from the Assignments tab to go to the Assignment Submission webpage. Use the file attachment feature below the textbox to upload your WORD document so your instructor can have it handy for download, review, and grading. Please do not use the textbox to post your assignment: the textbox is used for student/instructor communication only, pertaining to the assignment.
- Laboratory Exercises: There are ten (10) laboratory exercises in this course. Students are to read the instructions, conduct the exercies, and submit their documentation by the due date. Each exercise is worth 50 points (total =500 points).
- What I Learned Essay. Write a short essay expounding on five (5) things that you appreciated learning or found of particular interest in this laboratory course. Be sure to explain why you arrived at these conclusions and cite scriptural references as appropriate. This assignment is worth 40 points.
- Quizzes and examinations: There are no quizzes or examinations in this course.
- Course Evaluation: By completing this assessment, you can earn 30 points toward your final grade.
A course grade will be determined based on the number of points a student has earned over the semester as follows:
Icebreaker Assignment (30 points)
Laboratory Exercises (10 each worth 50 points, totaling 500 points)
“What I Learned” Essay (40 points)
Course Evaluation (30 points)
TOTAL 600 points
Grades are in the traditional American style of an A, B, C, D, or F. In distance learning, we believe that the measure of mastery of course subject matter is completion of 80% of the objectives for a course. That means that we want students to earn at least 480 points in this course. If they do not do so then they have not achieved the level of the mastery we would like them to have.We want this course to be competency-based and so it is possible for the entire class to receive an A or a B. There is no artificial curving of scores in the assignment of grades. Mastery of the material is what one’s goal should be.
Grades, assigned by points, are as follows:
A 540-600 points
B 480-539 points
C 420-479 points
D 360-419 points
F Below 360 points