ANTH 323 - Is the Human Brain Special?

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

The human brain is six times larger than expected for a mammal of our body size, an excess surely related to our unique biocultural niche. Nevertheless, whether and how our big brains make us special compared to other animals has eluded scientists in biological anthropology and other disciplines for generations. This course uses principles of evolution and development to frame the broad question, “Is the human brain special?” This question then serves as the basis for examining both comparative brain anatomy of primates and the human fossil record. In-class discussions and original research projects allow students to contribute to this interdisciplinary conversation about how exactly our brains make us human. Zachary Cofran.

Prerequisite(s): ANTH 120 or ANTH 220 or ANTH 223 or ANTH 224 or ANTH 229 or ANTH 239)

One 2-hour period.

Course Format: CLS