04717 - Physical Anthropology

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the study of the natural history of man, considering its origin, physical and bio-cultural evolution, biological variability and adaptation mechanisms to the environment, with reference to the diversity of current and past human groups and to its study methodologies. At the end of the course the student acquires adequate knowledge about the methods of analysis of human biodiversity and its biological and adaptive meaning, as well as in the interpretation of the complex biocultural and biogeographical relationships of human groups.

Course contents

Define Anthropology:

• Definitions and meanings
• The human race
  
• Eugenics
• Criminal frenzy

 

History of Anthropology:

• History of Anthropology
• Classification of Man in Nature
• Human evolution

 

Genetics 1:

• What is DNA (structure, function, degradation)?
• The genome
• Ancient Eurasians
• Modern Europe

 

Genetics 2:

• East Asia
• Native Americans
• Genetic admixture
• Tissue, cytological, biochemical and molecular variants

 

Variable characters:

• Variable characters
• Measurable variables
• Unmeasurable variables

 

Anatomical-functional variants 1:

• Body variants (somatic)
• District variants
• Organ variants (integumentary system)

 

Anatomical-functional variants 2:

• Organ variants (the skeletal system)
• Functional variants: The Joints.

(Direct observation of skeletal remains)

 

Anatomical-functional variants 3:

• Digestive system
• Respiratory system
• Nervous system
• Sensory organs

 

Causes of Variability:

• Synchronic variability: the environment
• Age-related variability
• Sex-related variability

 

Human migrations:

• Anthropological effects of human migration
• Population pathology
• Medicine and Anthropology
• Evolutionary medicine

Readings/Bibliography

L.CAPASSO, Trattato di Antropologia, SEU ed., 2015

D.REICH, Chi siamo e come siamo arrivati fin qui, 2019

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures related to the topics of the program that can be supplemented by seminar activities on specific topics. Students will be encouraged to take an active part in the lessons through interventions, questions, requests for clarifications and / or insights. During the course there are quizzes (Socrative software) to test, from time to time, interactively, students' learning (the results of the quizzes are instantaneous and have the sole purpose of helping the student to learn better the topics covered in class). The results of these quizzes will not affect the final exam grade. The use of computer powerpoint presentations is envisaged which will be distributed to students at the end of the lessons.

Assessment methods

Verification of learning consists of an oral test, which can be taken starting from the first useful exam on the calendar after the end of the lessons, concerning the topics indicated in the course program. In order to pass the exam, the student must prove that he has acquired adequate knowledge, both general and systematic, on the various topics scheduled and that he has mastered the scientific and methodological tools specific to the discipline. For the purposes of the final grade of the test, the following will be evaluated: the degree of scientific and methodological study of the topics covered; the ability to sustain a critical and reasoned disenchantment on the scheduled topics; the ability to make interdisciplinary connections; the ownership of language and the display quality. Non-attending students. The course program is the same for both attending and non-attending students. The attendance of the lessons is highly recommended for the achievement of a good profit, however, students who for valid reasons cannot attend are invited to contact the teacher, during the reception hours, for the suggestion of the necessary supplementary texts.

 

The purpose of the oral exam is to verify the student's ability to apply his or her knowledge and to make the necessary logical-deductive connections.

Gradation of the final grade:

A very intense knowledge of the topics discussed in the course, together with high skills of critical analysis, connection and a sure command of specific terminology will be evaluated with the maximum score (30-30L).

A prospective knowledge of the topics discussed in the course, together with a good analytical and critical ability and the possession of a sure command of the specific terminology will be evaluated with good marks (25-29).

A technically adequate preparation and a sufficient capacity for analysis, not particularly articulated, expressed in a correct language, will produce fair evaluations (21-24).

Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in barely formally correct language, will determine the sufficiency (18-20).

Teaching tools

Power Point presentation. Seminar activities on specific topics. Osteology demonstrations on human remains.

Office hours

See the website of Gregorio Oxilia