This course takes an evolutionary approach to understanding human origins and behaviour. The course covers the mechanisms of evolution including concepts related to genetics, speciation, variation, natural selection and adaptation. Particular attention is paid to (a) the study of living non-human primates in the context of human evolution and behaviour, (b) how the fossil record of human relatives over the last 6-7 million years can be used to reconstruct the evolution of human behaviour, and (c) understanding the variation in human skeletal biology and human behaviour using evolutionary principles.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain basic principles related to the evolution of humans, including those relating to primatology, palaeoanthropology and human behavioural ecology;
2. discuss the idea that evolutionary theory can help explain variation among humans;
3. prepare and develop a critical perspective on an independent study topic related to human origins;
4. explain a topic or argument relating to human origins and the evolution of human behaviour in a comparative context; and
5. interpret material from a range of scholarly sources relevant to a topic or argument in the field, balancing general argument and relevant evidence.

Research-Led Teaching

Students learn about research in four major areas of biological anthropology, including primatology, paleoanthropology, human skeletal biology, and human behavioural ecology. Students will conduct library research to identify appropriate literature to answer two essay questions.

Examination Material or equipment

Online tests, which are administered twice over the course of the semester, require access to a computer (laptop or desktop) system with reliable access to the internet. You will also need to identify a place where you will be able to do the tests without distraction (e.g., at home or in a quiet zone at the library).

Required Resources

The textbook is open access which means that, among other things, it is free of charge. Specific chapters to be read will be conveyed by each convenor:

Shook, B., Braff, L., Nelson, K., & Aguilera, K., eds. (2023). Explorations: An Open Invitation for Biological Anthropology (Second Edition). Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. Available at: https://pressbooks.calstate.edu/explorationsbioanth2/

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Participating in the Online Only tutorials and accessing lectures via recordings, though in-person attendance at lectures is recommended, requires access to a computer (laptop or desktop) system with reliable access to the internet.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written individualized feedback on essays.
• written class-wide feedback on exams, plus individualized feedback related to exam answers given by students and correct answers.
• verbal feedback may be sought by students via convenor or lecturer consultations.
• the type of feedback that students will receive on tutorial worksheets will be advised by the relevant convenor or lecturer.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of essays and tutorial worksheets will not be accepted after 10 working days following the due date. Late submission of exams is not possible.

Extensions and Extenuating Circumstances

Course convenors may grant extensions for essays and tutorial worksheets. Applications for extension should be submitted using the Assessment Extension Approval Portal on the course Wattle site. Applications should be submitted with evidence (e.g., a doctor’s note) that includes specific wording to support the number of working days requested. Uploading an EAP as evidence entitles you to an extension of up to 5 working days. Applications must be submitted before the assessment’s deadline even in the case of an EAP-supported extension. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date. Extensions of more than 10 working days will not be considered. For assessment items worth 20% or more of your grade, which in this class is limited to essays, you may be able to get an extension of more than 10 days by applying for extenuating circumstances. Note that extenuating circumstances applications are considered by the Associate Dean’s office, not the course convenors.

No extensions will be granted for the online exams. Students who have excused absences or timetable conflicts for one or both test dates will be offered an opportunity to sit a make-up test, at a date and time advised by the relevant course convenor. To be eligible to sit the make-up test you must submit your extension request via the CASS Assessment Extension Approval Portal, which can be accessed via Wattle, before the online test date and time.

Extension applications through the Assessment Extension Portal should be directed to:

• Exam 1, Essay 1, Tutorial Worksheets 1 & 2: Dr Stacey Ward (stacey.ward@anu.edu.au)
• Exam 2, Essay 2, Tutorial Worksheets 3 & 4: Dr Geoff Kushnick (geoff.kushnick@anu.edu.au) 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Class / Primatology 1
2	Primatology 2
3	Primatology 3
4	Paleoanthropology & Primate Evolutionary Biology 1	Tutorial Worksheet 1
5	Paleoanthropology & Primate Evolutionary Biology 2
6	Paleoanthropology & Primate Evolutionary Biology 3	Essay 1
7	Human Skeletal Biology 1	Online Exam 1
8	Human Skeletal Biology 2
9	Human Skeletal Biology 3
10	Human Adaptation & Behavioral Ecology 1	Worksheet 3
11	Human Adaptation & Behavioral Ecology 2
12	Human Adaptation & Behavioral Ecology 3	Essay 2

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Online Exams	30 %	1-2
Essays (3000 words total)	60 %	2-5
Tutorial Worksheets	10 %	1, 4-5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is assessed via Tutorial Worksheets, the details of which are outlined above.

Examination(s)

There are two online exams, the details of which are outlined above.

Assessment Task 1

Online Exams

Dates and Value:

• Exam 1: Monday 16 September at 10am via Wattle (15%)
• Exam 2: Monday 28 October at 10am via Wattle (15%)

There will be two online exams, one on each date listed above:

The test portal on Wattle will open at 10am and close at 10:30am. You will have 20 minutes to complete the test. You therefore will need to start no later than 10:10am to make full use of the 20 minutes. If your EAP entitles you to additional time, this will be added to your 20 minutes and the length of your test window. So, for instance, if you are entitled to 10% extra time, you will have 22 minutes and your window will close at 10:33am (start time will not change). You will be able to see the extra time in the Wattle portal, even before the exam starts, so please check and let the appropriate convenor know 1-2 days before the exam.

Each exam will consist of 25 questions:

You will not have the ability to revert to earlier questions. Please select one answer for each question. If you run out of time before reaching the end of the exam, the questions you have completed will be automatically submitted. Exam questions are meant to test your knowledge of lecture, tutorial, and readings from the course. The exams are not cumulative. Questions on Exam 1 are from weeks 1-6 of the semester; questions on Exam 2 are from weeks 7-12.

The exam is open notes, but not open communication:

Please complete the test without the assistance of others and without the assistance of online sources including, but not limited to, Google search and generative AI services. This means that you should not communicate with classmates about the specifics of the exam until the exam is returned. It is suggested that you arrange to complete the exam in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed or distracted.

All told, the convenors strongly encourage you to study diligently for the exams:

This can be done by engaging in a meaningful way with course materials in a timely manner. One suggestion is to not only engage with the material upon its first introduction, but to re-engage sometime after but still close to their introduction, and then again in the last couple weeks leading up to the exam. Of course, actual study habits will be something that you will need to tailor to your learning style. So, if you are an active learner, for instance, you might engage with lecture materials by

No extensions will be granted for the online exams:

Students who have excused absences or timetable conflicts for one or both test dates will be offered an opportunity to sit a make-up test, at a date and time advised by the relevant course convenor. To be eligible to sit the make-up test you must submit your extension request via the CASS Assessment Extension Approval Portal, which can be accessed via Wattle, before the online test date and time.

Assessment Task 2

Essays (3000 words total)

Deadlines and Values:

• Essay 1: Thursday 29 August by 4pm via Turnitin (30%)
• Essay 2: Thursday 24 October by 4pm via Turnitin (30%)

About Essays:

You will submit two essays on two different topics on the dates listed above. There is a separate document, titled Essay Guidelines, that details the specific requirements and topic choices for the essays. Make sure to read and understand that document early in the semester, as it provides important guidance. In a nutshell, each essay should be 1500 words (+/- 10% and not including references). You should aim to use a minimum of 6 references and a maximum of 12 references for each essay. For Essay 1, you should choose an essay topic from the ‘Primatology' or 'Primate Evolutionary Biology/Palaeoanthropology’ lists; for Essay 2, you should choose an essay topic from the ‘Human Skeletal Biology' or 'Human Behavioural Ecology/Human Adaptation’ lists. Your essay should adhere to the principle of good academic practices. As such, all text should be original and cited appropriately, and should be written without the aid of generative AI.

Submitting Essays:

Please submit your essays through the appropriate Turnitin portal on Wattle. Please use the following file-naming convention for submitted essays: question#-studentID#. So, if you wrote an essay on topic 5 and your student number was u9999999, then submit your file with the file name q5-u9999999.pdf or q5-u9999999.docx. Hard copy submission is not required. Late submission of essays without an approved extension will incur deductions of 5% per working day. Late essays, with or without an extension, will not be accepted after 10 working days past the deadline above (except with an approved Extenuating Circumstances application). More information above and in the Course Outline.

Assessment Task 3

Tutorial Worksheets

Deadlines and Values:

• Worksheet 1: Wednesday 14 August (2.5%)
• Worksheet 2: Wednesday 4 September (2.5%)
• Worksheet 3: Wednesday 9 October (2.5%)
• Worksheet 4: Wednesday 30 October (2.5%)

About Worksheets:

Throughout the course, you will be assessed on your tutorial and lab participation through completion of tutorial worksheets. The worksheets cover the overarching topics of the course. Worksheet 1 is based on primatology; worksheet 2 is based on paleoanthropology and primate evolutionary biology; worksheet 3 is based on human skeletal biology; worksheet 3 is based on human adaptation and behavioural ecology. Further details of how to complete and submit these worksheets will be provided by each convenor as the course progresses. You must submit your own, original work on worksheets.

Late Submission:

Late submission of worksheets without an approved extension will incur deductions of 5% per working day. Late worksheets, with or without an extension, will not be accepted after 10 working days past the deadlines. Applications for Extenuating Circumstances will not be considered for worksheets. More information above and in the Course Outline.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

The online exams and essays are strictly submitted via online portals on the class Wattle site. Submission of each individual tutorial worksheet will be advised by the relevant convenor or lecturer in charge of the relevant worksheet.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations (which, in this class, includes Online Exams 1 and 2).

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Exams and essays will be returned via the submission portals on Wattle. Return of tutorial worksheets will be advised by the appropriate convenor or lecturer.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assessments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students