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Sep 07, 2024
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ATH 101 Human Evolution Lecture Hours: 4 Credits: 4
Studies the processes of the bio-cultural evolution of humans with an emphasis on the evolutionary theory from several belief systems. Include Mendelian and population genetics, classification of primates (human and non-human), fossil evidence for human evolution, the study of biological diversity in contemporary human populations, and the biological and cultural definition of race.
Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor. Student Learning Outcomes:
- Explain how evolution works by means of natural selection.
- Identify how Western thought has influenced the evolutionary theory of Homo sapiens.
- Explain the different concepts of race from both a biological and cultural aspect.
- Discuss the stages of human evolution over the last 6 million years. Beginning with non-human primates and ending with modern Homo sapiens.
- Examine how the access to power and privilege impacts different cultures.
- Analyze how past events in evolution can help solve present-day social conditions.
Statewide General Education Outcomes
- Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior.
- Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live.
- Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.
Content Outline
- Introduction to Anthropology
- Nature of the discipline
- Contribution from several disciplines
- Orientation of physical anthropology
- Brief history of development of the field
- The development of the field in relation to geographical location
- Historical antecedents for evolutionary theory
- Evolutionary Theory
- Identify how Western thought has influenced the evolutionary theory of Homo sapiens.
- Competing belief systems: science versus religion and God
- Lamarckian and Darwinian Theory
- Evolution by means of natural selection
- Genetics
- Mechanisms of natural selection
- Gregor Mendel’s Studies
- Mendel and the progressive evolution of functional systems
- Bio-Chemical genetics and the structure of DNA
- Early Development of Evolution
- Introduction to primatology
- Primate studies and human evolution
- Taxonomic Classification
- Linnaean system of classification
- Primate classification
- Classification and evolutionary relationships
- Paleontology
- Dating methods
- Geologic chronology
- Alternative viewpoints (comparing ethnic beliefs, different religious systems and Western scientific methods)
- Recognition of fossils
- Ownership and control of fossil findings (e.g. Kennewick Man)
- Fossilization process
- Outline of Pleistocene Developments
- Pleistocene Chronology
- Pleistocene Hominoid Fossils
- Correlating paleontological and archeological finds
- Human cultural advances
- Defining cultural advancement from
- Anthropological perspective
- Alternative perspective (e.g. Native American, Eco-community)
- Human Morphology
- Characteristics of modern populations
- Population genetics
- Geographic distribution and morphology
- The Social Construction of Race
- Species and race
- Culture and race concepts
- Social power: Who gets to decide racial categories?
- Changing definitions of racial groups
- Consequences of Civilization
- Civilization and political organizations
- What constitutes these terms?
- Multiple definitions within the discipline
- Consequences of overpopulation
- How does power effect the allocation of resources?
- How does power effect survival rates within our species and other species?
- Major stages of human disease
- How the control of resources influence disease and death rates
- Future of human evolution and development
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