Unit name | Evolution and Human Behaviour |
---|---|
Unit code | ARCH20058 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Professor. Gibson |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This course will introduce you to the study of human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. Starting with a solid foundation of evolutionary principles (e.g. natural and sexual selection, the development of Darwinian and neo-Darwinian theories) students will acquire an understanding of the key concepts of evolution that apply across living organisms. The course will then take a topic-based approach so that students can describe, explain, and appraise how evolutionary approaches contribute to our understanding of human behaviour, demography, health, and culture in both traditional and post-industrial societies. Topics may include aspects of human behaviour, culture, and life history that have parallels in other species, such as cooperation, parenting, mate choice, cognition and tool-use, as well as those that are uniquely human (such as menopause, language, religion, and the demographic transition).
Aims:
At the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
1) Describe central tenets of evolutionary theory (including natural and sexual selection, and the forces of evolution) using examples from both humans and other species.
2) Describe the development of the evolutionary behavioural sciences and the major evolutionary approaches used by contemporary anthropologists.
3) Explain, with examples, the methodological approaches used in evolutionary anthropology to test hypotheses about human culture and behaviour.
4) Identify common and unique aspects of human life history and behaviour, and describe these with respect to case studies from a range of human populations (traditional and post-industrial settings).
5) Demonstrate how kin selection and parental investment theories can help to explain mating and parenting decisions.
6) Discuss explanations for evolutionary puzzles, such as homosexuality, religion, and low fertility.
7) Review and critique contemporary research topics in evolutionary anthropology.
One two-hour lecture each week. Five one-hour seminars over the course of the teaching block
Summative assessment:
1) A 2-hour exam including short answer questions (50%). Assesses ILOs 1-6
2) A 2500 word essay (50%). Assesses ILO 1-7
Formative assessment:
3) Participation in five seminar discussions. Students will be required to lead one seminar discussion (in pairs) Assesses ILOs 3,7
Barrett, L, Dunbar, R. and Lycett, J. (2002 or more recent editions). Human Evolutionary Psychology, Palgrave- McMillan.
Laland, K. and Brown, G.R. (2011) Sense and nonsense: evolutionary perspectives on human behaviour. OUP.
Low, B.S. (2000 or more recent edition). Why sex matters: a Darwinian look at human behaviour. Princeton U. Press.
Mesoudi, A. (2011) Cultural evolution: how Darwinian theory can explain human culture and synthesize the social sciences. U. of Chicago Press.
Davies, N.B., Krebs, J.R. and West, S.A. (2012, 4th edition). An introduction to behavioural ecology. Wiley-Blackewell