Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Human Behavioural Ecology |
| Unit code |
ARCH35019 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| 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 |
Description including Unit Aims
Human behavioural ecology- one subdiscipline within the field of evolutionary anthropology- is concerned the evolution of behaviour in humans. The aim of this course is to identify how much of the variation in human behaviour can be understood in terms of maximizing reproductive success in different ecological and social circumstances.
There is an increasing recognition that Darwinian approaches can contribute to our understanding of human demography, health, psychology and culture in both traditional and post-industrial societies. This course will introduce students to those aspects of human behaviour and life history that have parallels in other species, including primates, and also those that are uniquely human (such as menopause, and the demographic transition). Pre-requsite ARCH10005
Aims:
- To develop students understanding of evolutionary theory, as it can be applied to the study of human behavioural diversity.
- To ensure that students are familiar with theoretical and methodological contributions of a broad range of disciplines to our understanding of human biology and behaviour.
- To identify the common and the unique aspects of human behaviour and life history, specifically drawing comparisons with our nearest primate relatives.
- To review current research issues through case studies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- To develop a detailed understanding of the historical and theoretical development of the discipline.
- To provide a sophisticated appreciation of the main sources of data/disciplines and their application to the study of the human behaviour cross-culturally.
- To develop advanced critical, analytical and presentation skills.
Teaching Information
Lectures plus tutorials and practical demonstrations.
Assessment Information
All the assessment is summative:
Reading and References
- Barrett, Dunbar and Lycett (2002) Evolutionary Psychology
- Krebs and Davies (1993) Introduction to Behavioural Ecology
- Laland and Brown (2002) Sense and Nonsense: Evolutionary Perspectives of Human Behaviour
- Cartwright (2000) Evolution and Human Behaviour
- Betzig (1997) Human Nature: A Critical Reader
- Hill and Hurtado (1996) Ache Life History
