Research Paper Due By 11:00 P.m. On Wednesday, 11/14/2018

Research Paper Due by 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday 11/14/2018 (This assignment is worth 30 points) No late papers will be accepted.

This Research Paper asks you to gather and critically analyze information on a specific topic. There is a difference between reporting and analyzing. Reporting is the organization and presentation of information. Analyzing is the extracting and discussing meaningful insights (understanding the implications) from reputable sources of information. In other words, reporting tells you what it is , while analysis tells you what it means .

Do not plagiarize any information in your paper. Read the Plagiarism.org website information to understand what is plagiarism and what is not: Use in-text citations to identify the source of any brief quotes from source(s) and any information that is not common knowledge. IMPORTANT: Every student must write his or her own, original essay based on their individual understanding of the topic and written specifically for this class . Do not copy from any source, including the article(s) under reference. Plagiarized papers will receive a grade of “0” .

There are no “do-overs” in my class once a paper has been submitted. The topic for this research paper is an overview of human evolution over the past two million years. In other words, when and how did we become “human”? Analyze the current scientific research regarding this topic and write a clear, original paper on your observations and conclusions.

1) Introduce and define the focus of your analysis in a concise thesis statement that is located at the end of your first paragraph. A thesis statement tells the reader what the paper is about.

2) Discuss physical aspects of hominin evolution over time (what changed and when) and cultural aspects of hominin development (what and when: changes in stone tools, social group behaviors/interactions, evidence of symbolic representations, etc.). When did hominins become fully “human”, in your opinion? What is your supporting evidence for your position?

3) Compare/contrast and analyze the views of researchers by investigating at least three different sources (more sources are recommended). You may use links in the class power points to provide some of the sources for your paper, if you like.

4) Recap and conclude. Your conclusion must include a restatement of your thesis and encapsulate clearly your analysis of this topic.

REQUIREMENTS: Type your name, topic and due date for this assignment in the top left corner of your paper. Minimum at least three full pages of text. 3½ to 4 pages is an appropriate length for this assignment. Double-spaced, one-inch margins (check your left and right margins), typed in English, 12-point font. Include a full source page at the end of your report . Write complete source citations in APA format : author(s) name(s), title of article or book, year of publication, name of journal, magazine, book or website where the article was published, volume, issue and page numbers of publication for every source of information that you used to write this report (three source minimum). This includes websites!

IMPORTANT : Canvas does not accept work submitted in .pages or as Google Docs, Google Drive shared documents or as ZIP files. Submit your paper as a Word doc or .docx or as .rtf or .pdf file. I cannot grade your paper if I cannot open it!

Paper For Above instruction

Human evolution over the past two million years is a complex and fascinating subject that encompasses significant biological and cultural changes that have shaped modern humans. Scientific research indicates that this period includes critical evolutionary milestones that mark our transformation from early hominins to fully anatomically and behaviorally modern humans. This paper critically analyzes current scientific understanding of human evolution, focusing on physical and cultural changes, and evaluates various scholarly perspectives to provide a comprehensive overview of when and how Homo sapiens emerged as a distinct species.

The physical evolution of hominins over the last two million years has involved significant anatomical changes. Early hominins such as Australopithecines exhibited traits like bipedalism but retained relatively small brains. As evolution progressed, species like Homo habilis showed increased brain size, roughly 600-700 cubic centimeters, and evidence of tool use. Homo erectus, appearing around 1.9 million years ago, displayed further anatomical modifications, including larger brain sizes (up to 1000 cc), a more modern posture, and expanded geographic distribution across Africa and Eurasia. These physical modifications suggest an evolutionary trajectory aimed at increased cognitive capacity and adaptability. By around 300,000 years ago, Homo heidelbergensis and early Homo sapiens showed even larger brains, approximately 1200-1300 cc, and evidence of complex tool use, social cooperation, and symbolic behaviors.

From a cultural perspective, this evolution is characterized by increasingly sophisticated tool technology, social structures, and symbolic expressions. The earliest stone tools, associated with the Oldowan industry, date to about 2.6 million years ago, representing cognitive advancements in manipulation and material usage. Over time, more advanced tools such as Acheulean hand axes appeared around 1.7 million years ago, indicating not only technological development but also planning and skill transfer. The emergence of Homo erectus also signifies a shift toward greater social organization and possibly the beginnings of language. Evidence of symbolic behaviors surges with the appearance of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, including art, personal ornaments, and burial rites, indicating complex cultural and spiritual life. The development of symbolic thought is often considered the hallmark of full human consciousness, and many researchers argue that Homo sapiens, around 300,000 years ago, reached this level with evidence such as cave paintings and figurines.

In determining when hominins became fully “human,” the debate centers on defining “humanness”—is it purely biological, or does it encompass cultural and cognitive aspects? Some scholars argue that significant physical features, such as larger brain size, articulate speech, and symbolic behaviors, mark the emergence of fully modern humans. Others posit that the continuous nature of evolution implies a gradual transition rather than a distinct point. Current research suggests that by around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, anatomically modern Homo sapiens appeared in Africa, exhibiting both physical traits and cultural advancements. This aligns with fossil and genetic data showing a gradual accumulation of traits associated with modern humans. The advent of complex symbolic expression and the capacity for abstract thinking further support the view that full humanness was achieved by this period.

Examining various scholarly perspectives enhances understanding of human evolution. For example, Richard Klein’s "Archaic Homo sapiens and the Out-of-Africa theory" emphasizes a rapid evolution of modern traits in Africa, supporting a recent African origin. Conversely, researchers like Fred Weltman advocate for a more gradual, multiregional model that suggests hominin populations across different continents evolved toward modernity simultaneously. Meanwhile, Ian Tattersall highlights the importance of cognitive and cultural milestones, such as art and symbolic use, in marking human emergence. These contrasting views illustrate ongoing debates about whether biological changes or cultural innovations define the emergence of fully modern humans, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of human evolution.

In conclusion, the evolution of humans over the past two million years involves a complex interplay of anatomical and cultural developments. Physical changes like increased brain size and skeletal modifications laid the foundation for behavioral innovations, including advanced tools and symbolic expression. Cultural aspects such as art, social organization, and spirituality exemplify the culmination of these biological capabilities. While scholars debate the precise timing and nature of “full humanness,” evidence suggests that by approximately 300,000 years ago, anatomically modern humans with advanced cultural behaviors emerged in Africa. This evolution underscores the importance of integrating biological and cultural perspectives to fully understand our origins and identity as a species.

References

• Klein, R. G. (1999). The human career: Human biological and cultural origins. University of Chicago Press.
• Tattersall, I. (2012). The fossil trail: How we know what we think we know about human evolution. Oxford University Press.
• Weltman, F. (1988). The multiregional hypothesis and the origin of modern humans. Annual Review of Anthropology, 17, 507-527.
• Bradt, T. (2013). The Harley Davidson surprises: Touchscreens, voice control, and women bikers. Time Business & Money, September 3.
• Interbrand. (2013). Best global brands 2013. Retrieved from https://interbrand.com/best-global-brands/2013/Harley-Davidson
• Harley-Davidson. (2012). 10-K annual report.
• Harley-Davidson. (2013). Investor relations: Demographics. Harley-Davidson USA.
• Nolan, R. L., & Kotha, S. (2006). Harley-Davidson: Preparing for the next century. Harvard Business School.
• Taylor III, A. (2012). The hurdles at Harley-Davidson. CNNMoney, October 3.
• Harley-Davidson Museum. (n.d.). H-D timeline. Retrieved from https://en_US/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/explore/hd-timeline.html