Unit name | Evolution in Action |
---|---|
Unit code | ARCH10014 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Kit Opie |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Biological Anthropology - one of the sub-disciplines of anthropology - is a wide and varied field of knowledge and research activities. It is unified by a scientific approach developed in evolutionary biology and a focus on humans and our relatives. The aim of this course is to introduce you to anthropological dimensions of evolutionary theory and thinking. At first, we will examine the theory of natural selection, including a basic review of the genetics, to explore modern human diversity. Then will identify biological and behavioural variation among our living relatives, primates and our antecedents. The remainder of the unit will focus on modern human's dynamic relationship with the environment in lectures on human ecology and adaptation.
The weekly lectures will be complemented by five seminars that will allow students to deepen their understanding of the topics through group work and problem-solving tasks on which students will receive formative feedback to help them prepare for the essay and exam.
Aims:
At the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
Weekly lectures. Biweekly 1-hour seminars, supported by self-directed activities. These will include group work and problem-solving tasks on which students receive formative feedback.
One formative 1500 word essay. Assesses ILOs 3, 5-8
One summative open book exam (100%). Assesses ILOs 1,2,4.
Boyd, R. and Joan Silk (2009) How Humans Evolved. New York: W W Norton
Jurmain, R. at al (2011). Introduction to Physical Anthropology. California: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning