Unit information: Introduction to Biological Anthropology in 2012/13

Unit name	Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Unit code	ARCH10005
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
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

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 lecture series will focus on modern human's dynamic relationship with the environment in lectures on human ecology and adaptation.

Aims:

• To provide you with an overview of the field of biological anthropology, including the fundamental principles of natural selection, genetics, and ecology and their role in human evolution.

• To enable you to assess the importance of an evolutionary perspective to human biology and behaviour and our perception of what it means to be human.

• To understand the relevance of both adaptation and adaptability in explaining modern human diversity.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit you should be able to:

• Explain Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his contribution to modern evolutionary thinking

• Understand the principles of simple Mendelian inheritance and describe the role of Mendel and others in the Modern Synthesis.

• Discuss, with examples, the role of both adaptive and non-adaptive factors in explaining human genetic diversity.

• Describe the term primate.

• Summarise the key stages in the pattern of human evolution, as they are currently understood.

• Compare and contrast the arguments in the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate

• Describe human adaptations to climatic variation

• Discuss the dynamic relationship between disease, culture and the physical environment.

Assessment Information

Using the general reading guide, the core texts, and more focussed readings as a basis for your study, write a 1500 to 2000 word essay answer for your chosen question. Tables and graphics are encouraged. All references made in the body of the text must be referenced in a bibliography at the end of the essay. Guidelines for referencing, marking and classification are to be found in the departmental and faculty handbooks.