Human Origins (213-0-1)
Instructors
Kristin Landau
Kristin Landau is an anthropological archaeologist with primary research interests in the political economy and collaborative practices. She directs an ongoing excavation project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Copan, in western Honduras, about the political and economic relationship between city center and everyday life in an urban neighborhood. In completing her dissertation project, she also worked with a group of indigenous high school students and will continue to involve local people in the course of scientific research. She is also excited for the opportunity to teach undergraduate students in the US, and integrate evidence-based best practices for learning and assessment into her courses.
Meeting Info
ANTHRO Sem Rm 104 - 1810 Hinmn: Tues, Thurs 1:00PM - 3:30PM
Overview of class
Anthropology is the holistic consideration of the human condition, past and present. Biological anthropology is the anthropological subdiscipline that focuses on the evolution, biological variation, and adaptations of humans and their past and present relatives. In this course, we will overview biological anthropology and the fundamentals of the scientific method through principles of evolutionary theory, basic molecular biology, and genetics. We will discuss the nuances of contemporary human population biology, non-human primate sociality and behavior, as well as fossil evidence for human evolution through comparative data from non-human primate ecology. Throughout the course, particular attention will be put on exploring biological and behavioral adaptation in diverse eco-social contexts, ultimately influencing our contemporary human condition. This course counts toward the Weinberg College natural sciences distribution requirement. A scientific adventure awaits!
Class Materials (Required)
Essentials of Biological Anthropology, 5th edition, 2021. Must purchase a book and access to InQuisitive (paperback ISBN: 978-0-393-87685-7 $136.25, looseleaf ISBN: 978-0-393-87686-4 $109, or ebook ISBN: 978-0-393-87684-0 $53.95). Access to InQuisitive may be purchased separately if buying a used book.
Class Attributes
Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area
Face to face: In person, in campus space