Primate Evolution and Human Origins

EART36202 Primate Evolution and Human Origins 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 6 Michael Buckley Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Through a combination of lectures and practical classes, the unit will explore the evolution of humans and study particular morphological and behavioural adaptations through comparative anatomy of the skeleton. Considerations into the environmental background of human evolution and the dispersals of ancestral human species will be included, along with studies of cognitive evolution and the formation of primate and human societies. Although largely focussed on primate skeletal morphology, this unit will also include components relating to material culture as well as the latest developments in genetics and proteomics that inform our understanding of human evolution and the origins of modern human populations. Through a combination of lectures and practical classes, the unit will explore the evolution of humans and study particular morphological and behavioural adaptations through comparative anatomy of the skeleton. Considerations into the environmental background of human evolution and the dispersals of ancestral human species will be included, along with studies of cognitive evolution and the formation of primate and human societies. Although largely focussed on primate skeletal morphology, this unit will also include components relating to material culture as well as the latest developments in genetics and proteomics that inform our understanding of human evolution and the origins of modern human populations. <div>To detail our latest understanding of human evolution, adaptation and the impacts that our species has had on others.</div>  <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" style="width:496px;">On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: </td> <td style="width:72px;">Developed</td> <td style="width:66px;">Assessed</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:59px;">ILO 1</td> <td style="width:432px;height:59px;">Identify key differences between human skeletons and those of our primative relatives</td> <td style="width:72px;height:59px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:59px;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:67px;">ILO 2</td> <td style="width:432px;height:67px;">Explain what information is used to identify and describe distinct hominin species</td> <td style="width:72px;height:67px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:67px;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:76px;">ILO 3</td> <td style="width:432px;height:76px;">Identify the principles of evolutionary adaptation and explain their role in human evolution</td> <td style="width:72px;height:76px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:76px;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:66px;">ILO 4</td> <td style="width:432px;height:66px;">Be able to discuss how modern technologies have revolutionised our understanding of human evolution</td> <td style="width:72px;height:66px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:66px;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:66px;">ILO 5</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:627px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:66px; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black">Describe the key lines of evidence for the evolution of human cognitive capacity</td> <td style="width:72px;height:66px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:66px;">X</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:66px;">ILO 6</td> <td style="border-bottom:1px solid black; width:627px; padding:0cm 7px 0cm 7px; height:66px; border-top:1px solid black; border-right:1px solid black; border-left:1px solid black">Discuss the impact that human evolution has had on other animal species</td> <td style="width:72px;height:66px;">X</td> <td style="width:66px;height:66px;">X</td> </tr> </tbody></table>  Topics:Lecture material includes the fossil record and dating methods, primate fossils, primate evolution and locomotion, hominin evolution, encephalisation, skeletal variation between the sexes, genetics, skeletal variation with ageing, primate behaviour, tools, culture and human impacts on the environment, palaeoclimates, dispersals and language. Laboratory practical classes will largely focus on skeletal anatomy, ranging from studying primate crania, stature and locomotion, australopithecine crania and encephalisation, sexing and ageing, as well as learning about lithic cultures.  <div>Predominantly based on lecture-informed laboratory practical sessions (6 x 3-hour sessions, composed of 2 x 1/2-hour lectures and 2 x 1-hour laboratory practical classes, see course content below for titles, supplemented with two additional introductory and summary lectures prior and subsequent to the 6-week block of combined classes).</div>  1 Written exam 50% 8 Practical skills assessment 50% <figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:68px;width:102px;">Assessment type</td><td style="height:68px;width:85px;">% Weighting within unit</td><td style="height:68px;width:66px;">Hand out and hand in dates</td><td style="height:68px;width:94px;">Length </td><td style="height:68px;width:170px;">How, when and what feedback is provided</td><td style="height:68px;width:123px;">ILO tested</td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:102px;"> Exam</td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">50</td><td style="height:101px;width:66px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:94px;">2</td><td style="height:101px;width:170px;"> </td><td style="height:101px;width:123px;">3, 4, 5 & 6</td></tr><tr><td style="height:101px;width:102px;">Lab practicals (report)</td><td style="height:101px;width:85px;">50</td><td style="height:101px;width:66px;">One week after each lab</td><td style="height:101px;width:94px;">2</td><td style="height:101px;width:170px;"><div>Optional self-tests via blackboard, along with written feedback given during special session at end of semester 2</div><div> </div><div> </div></td><td style="height:101px;width:123px;">1, 2, 5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>  Gibson, K.R., Gibson, K.R. and Ingold, T. eds., 1993. Tools, language and cognition in human evolution. Cambridge University Press. King, G.E., 2015. Primate Behavior and Human Origins. Routledge. McKee, J.K., Poirier, F.E. and Mcgraw, W.S., 2015. Understanding human evolution. Routledge. Sahle, Y., Reyes-Centeno, H. and Bentz, C. eds., 2019. Modern Human Origins and Dispersal. Kerns Verlag. Scarre, C., 2005. The human past: world prehistory and the development of human societies. Thames & Hudson.  Lectures 10 Practical classes & workshops 14 0 76