Hey, all, here are my Spring 2020 syllabi! Have a look at the textbook-free Fundamentals of Biological Anthropology one for sure. Huge thank you to Holly Dunsworth for being so generous with her textbook free syllabi. I could not have done this without her. I am also teaching Humans at the Extremes this semester, though this is a more specialized course.
Exercising in the Cold with Medium
Medium interviewed me about some of my work discussing the interaction between physical activity and thermoregulation. This work has been mis-represented a number of times (cough…cough…Vox…cough…cough), but Medium did a great job with this article. You can also read the original work here.
The WADA Ruling on Russian Doping and the Lasting Legacy of Rocky IV
I was asked by the Notre Dame media folks to write up an OpEd on the recent World Anti-Doping Agency ruling against Russia. The Hill picked it up, and here it is, complete with a Rocky IV reference right off the bat. This likely won’t be a popular opinion, but I think it is a good conversation starter about the current sports culture both nationally and globally. It also hits on how much popular media shapes our views.
Evolution of Human Diet Class Activity
I put together this fun in-class activity to explore some of concepts on the evolution of the human diet. Students had a lot of fun with this one, and it was relaxed and fun class, which students needed at the end of the semester.
Research Uncorked
I will be giving the Research Uncorked talk next Tuesday titled: Let It Snow: Human Performance in Extreme Conditions!
When: Tuesday, December 10 @ 6pm
Where: Ironhand Vineyard’s Wine Bar
1025 Northside Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46615
Come see how many Star Wars Hoth-related references I can make in under 45 minutes.
Science Stories with Kate Wong
Have a listen to the latest installment of #Hackademics, our special series within the Sausage of Science podcast. In this episode we talk about the importance of science communication, how to go about it (especially if you are new to the field), and why you should pitch your science story to folks like our guest Scientific American journalist, Kate Wong.
Fossil Hominin Dating Profile
I had my students do a fossil hominin dating profile for one of their larger assignments. See the assignment here: Assignment #4.
Much to my delight, a few decided to make their profile on old fashioned poster board! Here are a couple…
Early & Late Archaic and early modern H. sapiens
I put together some materials Early & Late Archaic and early modern H. sapiens. It is similar to what I did with early genus Homo. Please go to activity #10 on my teaching page.
I have additional materials on Neanderthal culture, early modern human culture, and human dispersal models (replacement, multiregionalism, and assimilation). If you would like those, please email me directly. I will also lead a class discussion on the recent (and highly problematic see here, here, and here) paper that suggests the earliest modern humans originated from Botswana.
Early Genus Homo Activities
I put together a map based activity and a trends chart for H. habilis and H. erectus. You can find it here as activity #9, and I hope you find it helpful!
Hair Evolution and Variation
Check out this fantastic Sausage of Science episode where the amazing Tina Lasisi discusses hair evolution and variation!