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Research Writing Assignment
This writing assignment requires the use of databases accessible through UMUC's electronic library Or equivalent research in your local library. Please do not use popular search engines for this research. You may choose one of five topics below. Please review your choice with your instructor.
· In your essay, explain who "Kennewick Man" is: where he was found, when, and what has happened to him. Explain the NAGPRA controversy and the most recent events.
· Describe this fossil from the point of view of a physical anthropologist.
· Briefly describe theories about the settlement of the New World. Explain in what ways the Kennewick Man supports or challenges these theories.
· Evaluate the theories and explain which you support in light of Kennewick finds.
· Speculate as to how an ethical compromise might be made between native and scientific interests.
· Include in-text citations and a bibliography, following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.
OR Choose one of the following topics. You must clear your assignment in advance with your instructor.
1. Select a fossil from the region of the world which you inhabit (Homo erectus sinensis) etc. and describe the history behind its discovery, the major archaeologists involved, any changes in the interpretation of this fossil over time including the most recent understandings, and any past or present controversies, technical or ethnical, which are involved. 2. Select a prehistoric culture in your geographic area and describe its origins, significance in terms of world history and culture, and any technical or
ethical controversies involved. This could range from the Jomon culture of Japan to a pre Inca culture of Peru, ancient cultures of the Sahara, the prehistoric peopling of the Pacific islands etc. 3. Using the DNA based Out of Africa hypothesis, discuss how Homo sapiens got from Africa to your continent including the time frame, the route taken, and any remnant populations from this original migration which exist along the route. Mention both DNA and archaeological research which has been done in a particular region or on a particular people along the way. 4. Discuss the various species of Australopithecines and how they seem to fall into two groups. Discuss arguments for and against A. afarensis being ancestral to both the austrolopithecines and the Homo habilenes.
Guidelines for Research Writing Assignment
· Written assignment is due by the date noted in the Course Schedule. · Your paper should be at least six pages long. · Your paper should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins. · Keep your standard English straightforward and check your spelling and grammar carefully. Poor spelling and grammar will affect your grade. · Please use in-text citations in APA style. To review APA style, see http://www.umuc.edu/library/citationguides.html, or a similar document available through your local library or UMUC’s English Writing Labs. · List all documents used in a bibliography at the end of your paper. Follow bibliographic formatting as shown in UMUC's Guide to Writing and Research, or the APA style guide mentioned above. · On your paper, type in your name, date, and the assignment topic. · Please number your pages.
How to Avoid Plagiarism Assignment
In the first week of class, if this class is online please go to UMUC's Online Writing Center and take the self-help tutorial, "How to Avoid Plagiarism."
Otherwise, the instructor will provide you will printed instructions concerning plagerism.
Laboratory Exercises
This course requires that you follow the two laboratories (Adventures in Fugawiland and Mystery Fossil) and complete the accompanying exercises.
The exercises are found in the textbooks with data provided by CD-ROM. You may need to create tables and charts to accurately convey the required information. Mystery Fossil: exercises 1–7 (pp. 20–46). Adventures in Fugawiland: exercises on pp. 94–112. Please see the course schedule in your syllabus for due dates.
Laboratory Reports
Each lab requires a final report as described in the texts (Adventures in Fugawiland and Mystery Fossil). Adventures in Fugawiland: Prepare final report as described on p. 113. Mystery Fossil: Prepare final report as described on pp. 18 and 19. Participation You are expected to contribute regularly to discussion. You are strongly encouraged to respond to each other to advance the dialogue and to deepen your understanding of a topic. Be sure to read your assigned readings in advance of the class. |