| Course Info | Class Number: 1552
Millions of years of evolution have shaped human anatomy, creating a unique bipedal ape with a very large brain. What can our bones, muscles, and physiology tell us about our evolutionary past? In this course you will learn about human biology from an evolutionary perspective by considering humans as primates with a unique evolutionary trajectory. We will consider both how humans are biologically unique and how our primate origins have shaped who we are today. Topics will include human osteology and odontology, functional anatomy, energetics, reproduction, and diversity. Furthermore, we will explore current hypotheses and evidence regarding important questions in human origins and evolution, including whether bipedalism is an efficient and effective form of locomotion, why human reproduction can be a difficult and dangerous process, and which modern day health issues are a result of a mismatch between our current lifestyles and our evolutionary adaptations.
Approach: Inquiry into the Past (IP), Scientific Investigation (SI); Haverford: C: Physical and Natural Processes (C), B: Analysis of the Social World (B)
Enrollment Cap: 24: If the course exceeds the enrollment cap the
following criteria will be used for the lottery:
Major/Minors/Concentration; Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or permission
of instructor |
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