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Sponheimer, Matthew James

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • I am studying the ecology of modern and fossil mammals from the African continent. I have a particular interest in the evolution of our lineage.

keywords

  • hominin, mammal, ecology, Africa

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • ANTH 2010 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Summer 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024
    Detailed consideration of human biology, the place of humans in the animal kingdom, primate ecology and fossil evidence for human evolution. Required for ANTH majors.
  • ANTH 4110 - Human Evolutionary Biology
    Primary Instructor - Summer 2020 / Summer 2021
    Detailed consideration of the fossil evidence for human evolution. Covers the discovery of important fossils and interpretations; descriptive information about the fossils; and data and theory from Pleistocene studies relating to ecology, ecological and behavioral data on modern apes and molecular studies that have bearing on the study of human evolution. Same as ANTH 5110.
  • ANTH 4160 - Early Hominin Paleoecology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
    Explores current thinking about the diets, environments and lives of early human ancestors and their close kin. Strong emphasis on the methods used to construct such knowledge. Same as ANTH 5160.
  • ANTH 4180 - Anthropological Perspectives: Contemporary Issues
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2020 / Spring 2022
    Students read, discuss, and write critical evaluations of contemporary publications in anthropology. Identifies basic themes that inform major anthropological perspectives. Students then bring these perspectives to bear on issues currently facing the human species. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
  • ANTH 5160 - Early Hominin Paleoecology
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
    Explores current thinking about the diets, environments and lives of early human ancestors and their close kin. Strong emphasis on the methods used to construct such knowledge. Same as ANTH 4160.
  • FYSM 1000 - First Year Seminar
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018
    Provide first year students with an immersive experience in an interdisciplinary topic that addresses current issues including social, technical and global topics. Taught by faculty from across campus, the course provides students with an opportunity to interact in small classes, have project based learning experiences and gain valuable communication skills. Seminar style classes focused on discussion and projects.

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