ANTH 101 Physical Anthropology

An introduction to the study of human evolution, with the goal of understanding humans as part of the natural world and as organisms shaped by their evolutionary past. The course covers the basic processes of evolution, the early human fossil and archaeological record, primate behavior, and human genetic variability.

Credits

4

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand the development of the scientific method and the process of evolution
2. Explain the concepts of natural selection and adaptation and provide clear examples to illustrate these concepts
3. Review ecology and behavior of the living primates and explain their positions within the biological classification system
4. Understand and be able to explain the phylogenic relationships, including alternative hypotheses, among fossil hominids and living primates
5. Understand and discuss the methods and thought processes involved in the reconstruction of the pattern of human evolution
6. Analyze and interpret the physical and cultural remains of early humans (and human ancestors) in order to understand the diverse biological and social adaptations associated with the emergence of humanity and how this diversity informs us in our societal relationships today