ANTHRO 102 : How Humans Evolve

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Humans are primates united by sociality, diversity, and flexibility and are subject to the same evolutionary forces as other species. However, human evolution is biocultural and is subject to both biological and cultural inheritances. Biological anthropology includes the study of human evolution past and present. This course will examine our evolutionary history and how evolution affects humans today.

Course Overview

In this course we introduce you to some of the big questions of how humans evolve. The course is an introduction to biological anthropology; the study of human and non-human primate biological variation over time, and the relationship of that variation to the worlds we inhabit: social, cultural and physical. Biological anthropologists study human evolution and human ecology at a range of different levels, from the gene to the population. 
 
Humans are part of the diverse primate order, united by an emphasis on sociality, diversity and flexibility. We are subject to the same evolutionary forces as other species. 
 
While mutation is important it is not the only source of variation. Furthermore very few genes involve a straight line from the gene to the trait, even sex is not that straightforward. Genetic drift was probably important in the past and is certainly evident in studies of inbreeding, however, human populations are dominated by gene flow. 
 
Natural selection is important in both our past history and in our relationships with the world today, but, more broadly, humans inherit both genes and culture so that human evolution in the past is in some parts more about gene-culture coevolution than genes alone. This involves how many species there ever were and even are today and is very complex and even more difficult when dealing with fossils. However, we can trace some of that history with molecules. 
 
The history of humans also involves the evolution of human life history and human social systems. Humans are biocultural beings so our biology is interpenetrated with culture and that is particularly clear when we look at characteristics like skin colour. So while we share biological characteristics our biology is also local. Genes are important but not everything. And yes, humans are still evolving and evolution is still important in understanding how the world works. 
 
In Anthropology at the University of Auckland we are involved in the analysis of skeletons from the past (e.g., Bronze Age Mongolia, pre-contact Australia), primate studies (Indonesia, Africa), infectious disease, growth and development of contemporary populations (Taiwan, New Zealand), human behaviour in the context of economic change (China), changes in health and migration (Pacific) and the genetics of environmental change (Pacific, Australia). 
 
Our past and present students have gone on to work in diverse areas: archaeological consulting, museum work, teaching, community work, public health research and clinical research.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate your ability to undertake library research in biological anthropology. (Capability 1.2 and 2.1)
  2. Express your ideas clearly, demonstrating an understanding of the scientific process, including the differences between theory, data, and interpretation. (Capability 1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.1)
  3. Examine some of the evidence used in biological anthropology (fossils, behavioural and biological data) and draw inferences. (Capability 1.2, 2.2 and 5.2)
  4. Describe the broad course of human evolution as currently understood. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.2, 5.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Lab Assignments (Canvas Quizzes) 25% Individual Coursework
Annotated Bibliography 5% Individual Coursework
Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination

Next offered

Semester 2, 2021

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

On a weekly average, you can expect 2 hours of lectures [2 x 1-hour], a 1-hour tutorial/lab, 3.5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3.5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 05/07/2020 02:15 p.m.