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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.

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听 听 听 听 听 Indicative topics

• 听听What does it mean to be human
• 听 The evolution of bipedalism and the first putative hominins The earliest undisputed hominins
• 听 The origins of the genus Homo
• 听 听First hominin migrations out of Africa The origin and demise of Neanderthals
• 听 听The origin and dispersals of modern humans Mysterious human species听
• 听 听Teaching delivery
• 听 听Weekly 2-hour lectures and weekly 2-hour lab sessions where students have the opportunity to work with听hominin casts听 and other skeletal material.

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听 听 听 听 Learning outcomes:

听 听 听 听 UG L5

• 听Having completed this module, students will:
• 听understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history of other organisms
• 听understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
• 听understand the timing and reasons underlying hominin migrations across the world
• 听be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
• 听be familiar with the behavioural advances associated with different groups of hominins, including tool- making, language production, etc
• 听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

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UG L7

Having completed this module, students will:

• understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history of听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
• understand the controversies and 鈥済rey areas鈥� 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.

听 听 听 听 Additional information

听 听 听 听 The textbook for this module is:

Henke, W. & Tattersall, I. (2015). Handbook of Paleoanthropology. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, which is fully accessible online through UCL 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.

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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.

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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.

听 听 听 听 听Students will become familiar with current debates regarding the anatomy, evolutionary relationships, ecology and听behaviour 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:

• 听 understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
• 听 be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and听ecological听 context, and their evolutionary relationships
• 听 understand the controversies and 鈥済rey areas鈥� associated with the study of the evolution of our own species, and听be able to critically evaluate game-changing claims that are typically made by palaeoanthropologists
• 听 be able to synthesize the information contained in research papers and to present it to other students in a clear听 and engaging way
• 听 be able to participate in academic discussions using scientific arguments and a critical evaluation of methods and听data
• 听 be able to identify interesting palaeoanthropological research topics that are worthy of additional research, and听be able to write about them academically and critically听
• 听 be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate听hominin听 species based on their cranial anatomical traits
• 听 understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply those methods to their听own research questions

听 听 听 听 听Additional information

听This module is based on seminars and discussions where students have the leading role, with the module instructor acting听mostly as a moderator. Each week, some students present听papers on a certain topic and other students present a critical听evaluation, after which the whole class joins the discussion. Papers change each year to reflect the most recent fossil听findings and the hottest palaeoanthropological debates. This module is run in parallel with ANTH0012-UG, which provides听the theoretical bases and practical knowledge students need to engage in meaningful scientific discussion.

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Please note the assessment titles may be subject to change.

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