Unit name | How Societies Evolve |
---|---|
Unit code | ARCH20064 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Kit Opie |
Open unit status | Not open |
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
A simple reading of Darwinian natural selection suggests that evolution only takes place between competing individuals. However, societies are based in large part on cooperation. How then did those societies evolve? This course explores the mechanisms by which cooperation can evolve through natural selection and the resulting societies, in primates, hominins and modern humans. Group living has major implications for behaviour, reproduction and cognition, where the balance of costs and benefits can result in unexpected outcomes, which can be seen across primate species. We then turn to social evolution in hominins and how this shaped early modern human society. Finally, we assess a number of hypotheses for the evolution of large-scale human societies over the last 5,000 years. The common features of the evolution of societies can give us insights into contemporary human social life and help us identify future trends in social change.
Weekly lectures, bi weekly seminars, supported by self-directed activities and student presentations
Presentation (0%, required for credit – formative) [ILOs 3-6]
Timed Assessment (100%) [ILOs 1-7]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ARCH20064).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.