Description
Description
Undergraduate
Module content
Although we are the only surviving hominin species, this was not always the case. This module provides a general knowledge of the fossil evidence for human evolution within its geographical, temporal and ecological context. Students will become familiar with the anatomy of our ancestors
through an analysis of the origin, evolution and consequences of the major physical and behavioural adaptations of humans. The module will introduce the different hominin species by addressing the key evolutionary milestones associated with human origins such as changes in the type of locomotion, diet, tool-making abilities, body size or brain evolution.
Indicative topics
- What does it mean to be human
- The evolution of bipedalism and the first putative hominins The earliest undisputed hominins
- The origins of the genus Homo
- First hominin migrations out of Africa The origin and demise of Neanderthals
- The origin and dispersals of modern humans Mysterious human species
- Teaching delivery
- Weekly 2-hour lectures and weekly 2-hour lab sessions where students have the opportunity to work withhominin casts and other skeletal material.
Learning outcomes:
UG L5
- Having completed this module, students will:
- understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history of other organisms
- understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
- understand the timing and reasons underlying hominin migrations across the world
- be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
- be familiar with the behavioural advances associated with different groups of hominins, including tool- making, language production, etc
- be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate hominin species based on their cranial anatomical traits
- understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply them to simple case studies
UG L7
Having completed this module, students will:
- understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history ofother organisms
- understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
- understand the timing and reasons underlying hominin migrations across the world
- be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
- be familiar with the behavioural advances associated with different groups of hominins, including tool-making, language production, etc
- understand the controversies and “grey areas” associated with the study of the evolution of our own species, and be able to critically evaluate game-changing claims that are typically made by palaeoanthropologists
- be able to write academically and critically about topics related to palaeoanthropological research
- be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate hominin species based on their cranial anatomical traits
- understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply them to simple case studies and, potentially, to their own research questions.
Additional information
The textbook for this module is:
Henke, W. & Tattersall, I. (2015). Handbook of Paleoanthropology. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, which is fully accessible online through 鶹ýƵվ Library. This book is very broad and provides information on multiple aspects of palaeoanthropology. Students are welcome to read the complete book, but they do not need to. We will indicate each week the specific chapters that need to be read that week.
Additional readings include recent papers published in prestigious scientific journals that have been broadly covered by the media because of their general interest for understanding human origins and evolution. Those papers are provided to students during the course of the module.
Please note the assessment titles may be subject to change.
Postgraduate
Module content
The hominin fossil record documents our evolutionary history, but the study of the fossil evidence pertaining to our own evolution is not free of uncertainties and controversies. This module provides a venue for discussion of the most recent findings and debates regarding human origins and evolution within its geographical, temporal and ecological context.
Students will become familiar with current debates regarding the anatomy, evolutionary relationships, ecology andbehaviour of our ancestors through the analysis and discussion of recent research papers related to these topics.
Indicative topics
- What does it mean to be human?
- The evolution of bipedalism and the first putative hominins
- The earliest undisputed hominins
- The origins of the genus Homo
- First hominin migrations out of Africa
- The origin and demise of Neanderthals
- The origin and dispersals of modern humans
- Mysterious human species
Teaching delivery
Weekly 2-hour seminars and weekly 2-hour lab sessions. Optional (but strongly recommended) attendance to weekly 2-hour undergrad lectures.
Learning outcomes
PG L7
Having completed this module, students will:
- understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
- be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal andecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
- understand the controversies and “grey areas” associated with the study of the evolution of our own species, andbe able to critically evaluate game-changing claims that are typically made by palaeoanthropologists
- be able to synthesize the information contained in research papers and to present it to other students in a clear and engaging way
- be able to participate in academic discussions using scientific arguments and a critical evaluation of methods anddata
- be able to identify interesting palaeoanthropological research topics that are worthy of additional research, andbe able to write about them academically and critically
- be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiatehominin species based on their cranial anatomical traits
- understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply those methods to theirown research questions
Additional information
This module is based on seminars and discussions where students have the leading role, with the module instructor actingmostly as a moderator. Each week, some students presentpapers on a certain topic and other students present a criticalevaluation, after which the whole class joins the discussion. Papers change each year to reflect the most recent fossilfindings and the hottest palaeoanthropological debates. This module is run in parallel with ANTH0012-UG, which providesthe theoretical bases and practical knowledge students need to engage in meaningful scientific discussion.
Please note the assessment titles may be subject to change.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.