Human Origins (213-0-1)

Instructors

Erin B Waxenbaum
847/491-4818
1810 Hinman Ave., Room #A54A, EV Campus

Meeting Info

Lutkin Hall: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

Anthropology is a holistic analysis of the human condition. The study of human origins, or paleoanthropology, is a subfield of physical anthropology that focuses on the biological history of the human species including their evolution, emergence, and radiation. We will explore the scientific method and how theories like evolution have come about and expanded over time. We will learn about our closest living relatives - primates - and how an appreciation of their life history and behavior reflects the modern human condition. Many of the principles and concepts that comprise our understanding of how humans have evolved and adapted over time involve an appreciation of ecology, genetics, physiology, adaptation, and cultural development that will also be explored. Lastly, we will look at modern human diversity and discuss how we are continuing to evolve today.

Learning Objectives

After successful completion of this course, students should be able to: • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding the process of natural selection and how it relates to changes to and the development of the natural world, including the evolution of the human species, evolutionary theory, and research approaches relevant to biological anthropology • Discuss and address hypotheses related to human evolution and natural selection and test the skills necessary to acquire, analyze, and interpret scientific data to test and revise hypotheses • Appreciate the implications, utility, and limitations of scientific inquiry, both within the context of biological anthropology, evolution, and genetics and more broadly for other areas of scientific inquiry • Articulate the scientific process and the significance of scientific advances in biological anthropology, in written and/or oral form

Class Materials (Suggested)

Introduction to Physical Anthropology by Jurmain, Kilgore, Trevathan & Ciochon (15th/2018 Edition). ISBN: 978-1337099820

Class Notes

The suggested course textbook will be available for reserve at the Main library.

Class Attributes

Natural Sciences Foundational Discipline
Natural Sciences Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Mon 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Mon 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Tues 8:30AM - 9:30AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Wed 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Wed 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Thurs 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - ANTHRO Sem Rm B07 - 1810 Hinmn: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM