ANTH 225 - Human Evolution

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

A central question all humans grapple with at some point in their lives is, “Why are we here?” Fossil and archaeological data—a rich but fragmentary record scattered across the globe—provide direct evidence about our origins and evolution over the past several million years. Integrating this evidence to uncover humanity’s shared history helps us understand our place on Earth and our relationships with one another today. In this course, we focus on the fossils but also examine archaeological and genetic evidence that illustrate how, out of an ancient diversity of apes walking across a changing planet, Homo sapiens emerged as a single species that uses culture to extract energy from the environment. Through readings, lectures, and assignments, students develop a strong understanding of evolutionary theory, musculoskeletal anatomy, and the interactions between science and society.
Zachary Cofran.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS