ANT (0103) 225 - Human Evolution

Credits: 3.00

Students will examine the paleontologic and biocultural contexts that prevailed through human evolutionary processes from early primates to modern humans. Students study fossil remains, tool technologies, ecology, and strategies for survival in the ever changing global environmental dynamics. Controversial topics in the interpretation of fossil remains are discussed.

Gen Ed Learning Goal 1 QUANTITATIVE REASONING Distribution Requirement Natural Sciences

Free Note: Cross-listed with EAS 225 and ENV 225.

Course Learning Goals: In this course we explore the physical evolution of humans from the fossil evidence of our earliest ancestors to the origin and dispersal of modern humans. We look at the biology and adaptations of fossil hominin groups and their phylogenetic relationships. Comparative, functional, and evolutionary anatomy are used to interpret behaviors and relationships between groups. Geology, archaeology, and ecology are used to reconstruct behavioral and environmental aspects of fossil hominins. Major debates in paleoanthropology will be discussed. By the end of this course students will be able to: 1) Demonstrate a strong understanding of human evolution; 2) Analyze the role of the environment in shaping human evolution; 3) Describe and recognize hominin species by their fossil remains (skulls and skeletons); 4) Evaluate how species are related to each other; 5) Describe the diagnostic features of major hominin taxa and understand competing arguments about important events in human evolution; 6) Critically evaluate important debates in human evolution; and 7) Interpret quantitative data and be aware of the strengths and limitations of the main quantitative methods used in paleoanthropological research.