Fall 2025 - ARCH 131 OL01
Human Origins (3)
Class Number: 4592
Delivery Method: Online
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Online
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Exam Times + Location:
Dec 11, 2025
Thu, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Angela Silva Bessa
asilvabe@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A non-technical survey of the primate background of humans, fossil primates, and fossil humans, and the associated evidence of cultural development. An introduction to physical anthropology. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.
COURSE DETAILS:
Modern humans are the only species left in the human lineage even though, over the past 4 million years, there have been many different hominin species, some closely related to us. In this course, students will learn about our modern human ancestry, how we came to look and behave the way we do, and how we came to be the only hominin species left.
Grading
- Mid-term exam 30%
- Final exam 30%
- Three short quizzes 40%
NOTES:
The midterm exam will take place by October 10.
The final exam will take place by December 5.
The quizzes will take place by September 19, October 24, and November 24.
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Students should phrase questions clearly and use a formal tone when using email as correspondence. Please include ARCH 131 OL01 in the subject line. Students must use their SFU email or CANVAS to ensure that their messages get delivered and are not filtered out as spam.
REQUIRED READING:
Stanford CB, Allen JS, Antón SC. Exploring biological anthropology: The essentials. Boston, Pearson Education.
ISBN: 9780134014142
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.
Deferred grades will be given only on the basis of authenticated medical disability.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.