GCC Educational Program

The educational program is designed to integrate college-level curriculum with the interpretation program at the Gibbon Conservation Center (GCC). The curriculum is aligned with the California Course Identification System for transfer-level courses and explores the areas of nature, of scientific inquiry, and the scientific method, the anthropological perspective, mechanisms of evolution, comparative primate taxonomy, anatomy and behavior and primate conservation. Participation in this program incudes the presentation of in-class materials, a GCC tour and an observation project. The program is ideal for students enrolled in An Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Laboratory in Biological Anthropology.

 

Alignment with California State Standards

Program objectives and outcomes are aligned with the California Course Identification System (C-ID). The C-ID is a numerical system for transfer-level college courses. C-ID specific courses provide educational institutions with course descriptors, or course outlines.  The relevant C-ID numbers for this curriculum are ANTH 110: Introduction to Biological anthropology and ANTH 115: Laboratory in Biological Anthropology.

 

Relevant ANTH 110 course objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe the scientific process as a methodology for understanding the natural world.

2. Define the scope of anthropology and discuss the role of biological anthropology within the discipline.

3. Evaluate how the forces of evolution produce genetic and phenotypic change over time.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of classification, morphology and behavior of living primates.

 

Relevant ANTH 110 methods of evaluation:

1. Individual/group writing projects

2. Field assignments

3. Journal reviews

4. Other writing assignments

 

Relevant ANTH 115 course objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Apply the scientific method.    

2. Identify the outcomes of evolutionary processes.

3. Identify anatomical and behavioral features of non-human primates.

 

Relevant ANTH 115 methods of evaluation:

1. Field assignments/zoo projects

 

Curriculum adapted from the following sample text:

1. France, Diane. Lab Manual and Workbook for Physical Anthropology.  Cengage. 

 

Instructor Curriculum Packet (electronic)

The instructor packet includes GCC photos, a PowerPoint presentation, printable slides, lab assignment, sample field sheets, and a grading rubric. These materials are provided to the instructor prior to the beginning of the semester with a recommendation to include these materials and dates in the course syllabus and schedule.

 

Guided Tour and Observation Project

The guided, objectives-based tour is designed to mitigate the course content of introductory courses in biological anthropology. The scripted presentation will cover following concepts:

 

1. The history and mission of the GCC, including short and long-term goals

2. Key anthropological concepts

3. Anecdotal primate keeper stories

4. Current GCC campaigns

 

Following the tour, students will be prompted to conduct a comparative observation project. Students will use three methodologies in their interpretation of primate behavior. Sample observation charts will be provided to the instructor. The project will be adapted from a sample text from the California Course Identification System.