00044 - Anthropology

Learning outcomes

The student will acquire basic knowledge of Primate phylogeny, human evolution, and biodiversity and environmental adaptability of current human populations. In particular, the student is able to: - evaluate the potential and limitations of fossil records and genetic-molecular data for reconstructing human evolutionary history; - explain human biodiversity from a phylogenetic and adaptive perspective.

Course contents

• Anthropology: definition, history of the discipline and current directions
• Nonhuman primates: biogeography and systematics
• Evolution of apparatuses and functions (bipedalism, encephalization, articulate language)
• The human evolution: the study of fossils and molecular data
• The biological and cultural factors of human biodiversity
• Evolution of the human-environment relationship
• Biological and cultural adaptations to the environment
• The Anthropocene

Readings/Bibliography

Manuale di Antropologia. Evoluzione e biodiversità umana (a cura di Luca Sineo, Jacopo Moggi Cecchi), 2022, Utet Università, 640 pp., 27,00 €.

 

Govoni P, Belcastro MG, Bonoli A, Guerzoni G. (in uscita settembre 2024) - Ripensare l'Antropocene. Oltre natura e cutlura. Carocci editore.

Teaching methods

frontal lessons accompained by the observations of non human and human Primates skeleton

Assessment methods

oral exam

Teaching tools

Videoprojector, PC, laboratories, 

Office hours

See the website of Maria Giovanna Belcastro