Be an Anthropologist

Anthropologists study many different aspects of humanity in order to fully understand the
diversity of the human species. One of these aspects concerns our development as a
species, both physically and culturally. For the assignment, the student will first discuss
and investigate evolution as viewed by physical anthropology, and then the student will
investigate and discuss evolution from one other subfield – cultural, linguist, or
archaeological.
Directions, in essay format:
1) Discuss what evolution is in terms of physical anthropology (see Ch3).
2) Define evolution (using textbook and lecture notes)
a. This should include APA-formatted in-text citations and full references
3) Discuss what a physical anthropologist may examine/investigate in order to study
evolution. (e.g. population DNA)
4) Discuss ‘how’ a physical anthropologist would study your answer for Q3 and why
it is helpful for studying evolution.
5) Find at least one outside source related to your answer for Q3 and Q4 (e.g. the
genome project for DNA- do not use this example in your paper since it is
provided for you).
6) Briefly describe the source and how is it helpful for examining/investigating
evolution.
a. This should include APA-formatted in-text citations and full references
7) Choose a second subfield of anthropology – cultural, linguistic, or archaeology.
8) Discuss how an anthropologist in this subfield would study evolution.
a. Remember, evolution can apply to both physical and societal changes, so
things like language and customs can evolve just as much as bodies and
brains can.
9) Discuss what an anthropologist from your chosen subfield may
examine/investigate in order to study evolution (e.g. an archaeologist may look at
how tools have changed through time, and what has caused that change- do not
use this example in your paper since it is provided for you)
10) Discuss ‘how’ an anthropologist from your chosen subfield would study your
answer for Q9, and why it is helpful for studying evolution.
11) Find at least one outside source related to your answer for Q9 and Q10 (e.g. the
genome project- do not use this example in your paper since it is provided for
you).
12) Briefly describe the source and how is it helpful for examining/investigating
evolution.
a. This should include APA-formatted in-text citations and full references
13) Discuss how the study of evolution between physical anthropology and your
chosen subfield compare and contrast.
14) Conclude by discussing one new piece of information you learned about
evolution.
15) Be sure to write your 3-5 page paper using APA-formatting.