| Unit name | Evolution and Human Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ARCH20058 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Gibson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Anthropology and Archaeology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit will introduce you to the study of human behaviour from an evolutionary perspective. Starting with a solid foundation of evolutionary principles (e.g. natural and sexual selection, the development of Darwinian and neo-Darwinian theories) students will acquire an understanding of the key concepts of evolution that apply across living organisms. The unit will then take a topic-based approach so that students can describe, explain, and appraise how evolutionary approaches contribute to our understanding of human behaviour, demography, health, and culture in both traditional and post-industrial societies. Topics may include aspects of human behaviour, culture, and life history that have parallels in other species, such as cooperation, parenting, mate choice, cognition and tool-use, as well as those that are uniquely human (such as menopause, language, religion, and the demographic transition).
Aims:
At the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
1) Describe the central tenets of evolutionary theory using examples from both humans and other species.
2) Describe the development of the evolutionary behavioural sciences and explain, with examples, the contemporary methodological approaches used to test hypotheses about human culture and behaviour.
3) Identify common and unique aspects of human life history and behaviour, drawing on case studies from a range of human populations.
4) Review and critique classic and contemporary research topics in evolutionary anthropology, such as mate choice, parental investment, language, cooperation, and cultural evolution; and "evolutionary puzzles" such as sexual orientation, religion and low fertility.
Weekly lectures. Five one-hour seminars to include student-led discussions and collaborative group work. This will be supported by self-directed activities.
1) An open book exam (50%). Assesses ILOs 1-6
2) A 2500 word literature review (50%). Assesses ILO 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. ARCH20058).
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 Faculty 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. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
