Speciation

After reading Chapters/Modules 1 through 5, consider the following:

The most common definition of species is a biological definition based on the biological species concept and describes a species as a set of populations that can, under natural conditions, mate with one another to produce living, fertile offspring. This is fine for distantly related organisms like a dog and a dolphin, but what about a dog and a wolf? A domestic dog (Canisfamiliaris) and a wolf (Canis lupus) can mate and will do so if the conditions arise.

Essay 1:

Explain the biological species concept. By definition, explain what separates one species from another. Then explain why it is not surprising that some species can interbreed with one another while others can not. (Keep in mind that the dog and wolf are classified as distinct species.) Finally, define paleospecies. In your opinion, if the dog and the wolf were extinct species and all we had were fossil remains, would we identify them as one species or two distinct species? Explain your answer.

Essay 2:

In a separate essay and posting, Explain macroevolution and speciation. Select a classmate's explanation of why some distinct species can interbreed (from Essay 1) and summarize it. Discuss if the explanation takes into account the concepts of speciation and macroevolution. Further clarify the explanation with regards to these concepts. Then select another classmate's discussion on the dog and a wolf as the same or distinct paleospecies (a different author than the one you summarized first), summarize the argument and explain why you agree or not.

Review Discussion Essay Requirements before writing your essays.

-Each essay is to be a minimum of 3 paragraphs, each paragraph is to have at least 6 sentences.

-All ideas, definitions, etc require citations within the body of the essay. You need to cite more than quotations. Required are citations from both textbook and module.

Textbook: Essentials of Physical Anthropolgy 9th Edition; Jurmain, Kilgore, and Trevathan

Chapter 1 - https://www.cengagebrain.co.nz/content/jurmain32595_0840032595_02.01_chapter01.pdf

Here are the links to the Power Points for all of the chapters for reference.

http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/robert.marcom/anth2301/slides-for-textbook-chapters

Discussion Essay Requirements - points will be deducted for requirements not met.

1) Each Discussion Essay assignment/topic requires two essays (Essay 1 and Essay 2) posted separately. Both essays are worth the same number of points (i.e. for a 20 point assignment, each essay is worth 10 points). This means you need to put the same amount of work into both essays. If you only have one posting for a Discussion Essay assignment, the most you can earn is half the possible points.

2) Post a thoughtful reply to the questions asked. Your essays are to be well reasoned arguments that demonstrates your understanding of the course material. Be sure your essay covers all points from the prompt.

3) Present your responses in an academic manner. These discussions are formal writing assignments for this class. Be sure to use proper grammar, punctuation, and capital letters where appropriate, including genus names like "Homo" and the pronoun "I".

4) Fully develop your arguments - present all the parts to fully explain your argument and be sure to link the parts together. Be thorough and explain completely. Connect your argument to the evidence presented in this course - citing both the course text and modules is required in both Essay 1 and Essay 2.

5) Your statements need to be backed up with data and ideas presented in modules and textbook. Be sure to cite examples, definitions, etc. within the body of each essay - include page numbers. This is a very important part of this assignment; the idea is to demonstrate your understanding of the course material.

6) If you include sources from outside of the class (not required), they must be academic sources and you must provide the full citation. Remember outside sources are in addition to the textbook and module.

7) In Essay 2, you are asked to use a classmate's ideas from their essay. Treat their essay as a source. Do not address your essays to an individual or write like you are talking to your classmate. These are academic papers, not letters to friends. While you will use a classmate's name to refer to their ideas/essay, do not write to them, not even in D1.

8) Each essay must be at least 3 paragraphs to be considered for full points (a possible 15 points per essay, 2 essays per assignment). An essay with 2 paragraphs is considered average (maximum of 10 points per essay) and 1 paragraph is not an essay (maximum of 5 points per submission).

9) Paragraphs have a minimum of 6 sentences and there should be on average 10 words per sentence - think complex sentences. If you only have more than 3 paragraphs, overall sentence count needs to average to at least 6 sentences per paragraph.

10) The essays must be posted on time in the appropriate forum. Essay 1 must be turned in at least 2 days (48 hours) before the date the forum locks (posted on topic). It is important to have the first essay in early in order to give other students time to read it and include it in their Essay 2. Three points will be deducted if Essay 1 is not submitted at least 2 days (48 hours) prior to the topic lock date.

11) No submissions will be accepted after the date the topic locks (date posted on topic). There is no acceptable excuse for late essays including illness (yours or a family members), computer problems, internet connection issues, forgetting the assignment was due, or work schedule conflict. Work ahead and complete the assignment before the due date to avoid potential loss of points.