Courses Taught at Appalachian State University
ANT 2230: Biological Anthropology
Biological anthropology is the study of primate biology within an evolutionary framework. Topics include evolutionary theory, heredity, the evolution and behavior of living and fossil primates, and an examination of the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens.
Biological anthropology is the study of primate biology within an evolutionary framework. Topics include evolutionary theory, heredity, the evolution and behavior of living and fossil primates, and an examination of the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens.
ANT 2530: The Living Primates
In this course, students are introduced to the diversity, biology, and behavior of the nonhuman primates, including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes through lecture, films, readings, discussions, and laboratory exercises. Specific topics include primate evolution, morphology, development, ecology, diets, social behavior, reproduction, cognition and communication. The course will conclude with a discussion of primate conservation.
In this course, students are introduced to the diversity, biology, and behavior of the nonhuman primates, including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes through lecture, films, readings, discussions, and laboratory exercises. Specific topics include primate evolution, morphology, development, ecology, diets, social behavior, reproduction, cognition and communication. The course will conclude with a discussion of primate conservation.
ANT 3320: Human Biological Variation
This course provides a survey of theoretical frameworks in biological anthropology, beginning with an examination of the history and development of evolutionary theory, the modern synthesis, evolutionary developmental biology, and the “New Biological Anthropology.” Feminist critiques, objections to the adaptationist program, and the development of biocultural approaches to human biology will be examined and applied to the study of patterns and processes in human evolution. Issues to be addressed in this course include the evolution of primate life histories, the origin of modern human biological variation, human reproduction, and evolutionary medicine.
This course provides a survey of theoretical frameworks in biological anthropology, beginning with an examination of the history and development of evolutionary theory, the modern synthesis, evolutionary developmental biology, and the “New Biological Anthropology.” Feminist critiques, objections to the adaptationist program, and the development of biocultural approaches to human biology will be examined and applied to the study of patterns and processes in human evolution. Issues to be addressed in this course include the evolution of primate life histories, the origin of modern human biological variation, human reproduction, and evolutionary medicine.
ANT 3320: Primatological Field Methods
An introduction to the planning, conduct, and presentation of scientific research in the field of primatology. This course familiarizes students with field methods used in primate ethology and tropical ecology (including field and laboratory methods), and students receive hands-on field research training in field methods used in habitat and trail mapping, primate censuses and surveys, collection of behavioral data, collection of botanical data, and monitoring of ecological variables. Each student designs and conducts, and presents an independent research project on a topic of their choice related to primate behavior and ecology. Course may be taught as a field course in Costa Rica, Indonesia, or other primate habitat countries.
An introduction to the planning, conduct, and presentation of scientific research in the field of primatology. This course familiarizes students with field methods used in primate ethology and tropical ecology (including field and laboratory methods), and students receive hands-on field research training in field methods used in habitat and trail mapping, primate censuses and surveys, collection of behavioral data, collection of botanical data, and monitoring of ecological variables. Each student designs and conducts, and presents an independent research project on a topic of their choice related to primate behavior and ecology. Course may be taught as a field course in Costa Rica, Indonesia, or other primate habitat countries.
ANT 3350: Primate Behavior and Ecology
An overview of primate diversity and the ways in which primates adapt physically and behaviorally to their environments. Relevant theoretical developments in ecology, evolution, and primatology will be discussed and critically analyzed. Topics include primate diversity and phylogeny, morphology, diets and feeding adaptations, anti-predator strategies, social organization and mating systems, life histories, competition and cooperation, cognition, communication, and conservation biology.
An overview of primate diversity and the ways in which primates adapt physically and behaviorally to their environments. Relevant theoretical developments in ecology, evolution, and primatology will be discussed and critically analyzed. Topics include primate diversity and phylogeny, morphology, diets and feeding adaptations, anti-predator strategies, social organization and mating systems, life histories, competition and cooperation, cognition, communication, and conservation biology.
ANT 3403: Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
An introduction to how computers, quantitative methods, and anthropological data are used to address anthropological questions. The course focuses on hands-on learning in: basic personal computer operations, the Internet, probability theory, data base management, sampling, research design, categorical analysis, linear regression, correlation, and exploratory data analysis. Students will work with original archeological, bioanthropological, and cultural data on personal computers.
An introduction to how computers, quantitative methods, and anthropological data are used to address anthropological questions. The course focuses on hands-on learning in: basic personal computer operations, the Internet, probability theory, data base management, sampling, research design, categorical analysis, linear regression, correlation, and exploratory data analysis. Students will work with original archeological, bioanthropological, and cultural data on personal computers.
ANT 4320/4321: Biology, Technology, and Culture
In this course, we examine the relationship between technological innovations, human biology and environments, and culture from a holistic perspective through selected readings, discussion, and written critiques. Specific topics will include competing constructions of science and nature, the biological, social, and cultural consequences of agriculture, industrialization and the chemical revolution, energy technologies, and biomedical technologies including stem cell research, assisted reproduction, and genomic medicine. A senior capstone section of this course is available.
In this course, we examine the relationship between technological innovations, human biology and environments, and culture from a holistic perspective through selected readings, discussion, and written critiques. Specific topics will include competing constructions of science and nature, the biological, social, and cultural consequences of agriculture, industrialization and the chemical revolution, energy technologies, and biomedical technologies including stem cell research, assisted reproduction, and genomic medicine. A senior capstone section of this course is available.
ANT 4350: Human Reproduction from an Evolutionary Perspective
This course examines human reproduction from an evolutionary perspective. We discuss topics ranging from the origins of sexual reproduction to human fertility and sexuality and the biological, social, and political implications of childbirth practices, assisted reproduction, and parental care. In the course, students become familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system and the biological and cultural processes that regulate reproduction in humans, and learn to critically evaluate representations of sexual selection, human sexuality, and parenting behavior.
This course examines human reproduction from an evolutionary perspective. We discuss topics ranging from the origins of sexual reproduction to human fertility and sexuality and the biological, social, and political implications of childbirth practices, assisted reproduction, and parental care. In the course, students become familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human reproductive system and the biological and cultural processes that regulate reproduction in humans, and learn to critically evaluate representations of sexual selection, human sexuality, and parenting behavior.
ANT 4360: Primate Conservation
An overview of the effects of human activities on wild nonhuman primate populations, including critical analysis of strategies being employed to ensure the persistence of wild primates in their natural habitats. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles and practices in conservation biology using primate case studies. Specific topics include setting conservation priorities, the roles of in situ and ex situ conservation, human-wildlife conflict, genetic issues and population management, the roles of local, national, and international stakeholders in both creating and ameliorating threats to the persistence of wild primates, and the potential impacts of conservation programs on human communities living in habitat countries.
An overview of the effects of human activities on wild nonhuman primate populations, including critical analysis of strategies being employed to ensure the persistence of wild primates in their natural habitats. Students will be introduced to fundamental principles and practices in conservation biology using primate case studies. Specific topics include setting conservation priorities, the roles of in situ and ex situ conservation, human-wildlife conflict, genetic issues and population management, the roles of local, national, and international stakeholders in both creating and ameliorating threats to the persistence of wild primates, and the potential impacts of conservation programs on human communities living in habitat countries.
Graduate Students
Sanha Kim (co-advised with Jae Chun Choe and Piotr Jablonski)
PhD 2012, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Sanha conducted field research on the feeding ecology of Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) in the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park from
2007-2009 for his dissertation: Feeding Ecology and Foraging Strategies of the Endangered Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in a submontane
forest of West Java. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Competitive Design, Cranfield University, UK, and a researcher at the
Biodiversity Foundation, South Korea.
PhD 2012, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Sanha conducted field research on the feeding ecology of Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) in the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park from
2007-2009 for his dissertation: Feeding Ecology and Foraging Strategies of the Endangered Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in a submontane
forest of West Java. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Competitive Design, Cranfield University, UK, and a researcher at the
Biodiversity Foundation, South Korea.
Soojung Ham (co-advised with Jae Chun Choe)
PhD Candidate, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Soojung's research is focused on vocal behavior in Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) in the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park. She is currently in
Germany on a German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship.
PhD Candidate, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Soojung's research is focused on vocal behavior in Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) in the Gunung Halimun-Salak National Park. She is currently in
Germany on a German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship.
Yena Kim (co-advised with Jae Chun Choe)
MS 2009, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Yena's MS research focused on the behavioral endocrinology of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). She is currently a PhD
student in the Section of Language and Intelligence at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.
MS 2009, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Yena's MS research focused on the behavioral endocrinology of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). She is currently a PhD
student in the Section of Language and Intelligence at the Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.