85525 - BIODIVERSITY AND BIOCULTURAL DYNAMICS OF HUMAN POPULATION

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

This course provides the basic knowledge and methodologies of analysis about biodiversity and dynamics of human settlement through a biological, ecological and biocultural approach. At the end of the course the student will acquire appropriate skills for a correct understanding of biocultural and biogeographic history of human populations and also factors and meaning of their biological and ethnic diversity, useful for a conscious approach in international relations and multicultural societies.

Contenuti

1. Human Biology: An Evolutionary and Biocultural Perspective

2. Human diversity: biological and not biological causes

3. An introduction to genetics: genetics, geography and human variation

4. Human biological variability: mechanisms that create and pattern this variability

5. Human adaptability, the geographical distribution of diversity, migrations and admixture

6. The role of Climate, diet and pathogens : biocultural approaches to health and diet

7. Co-evolution between nature and culture in human evolution

8. Races and Inter-Mixing, Nationalities, Cultures, Castes, Classes and Religions

Testi/Bibliografia

Slides of the lectures

Elise J. Sobo. Dynamics of Human Biocultural Diversity: A Unified Approach, 2013 Taylor and Francis, UK

Scientific papers will be suggested during the course

Metodi didattici

Lectures

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

An oral test with a ppt presentation on a topic of student's choice.

The ability of the student to achieve a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the topics addressed by the course, to critically assess them and to use an appropriate language will be evaluated with the highest grades (A = 27-30 con lode).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course's contents together with gaps and deficienciesin terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will result in grades ranging from good (B = 24-26) to satisfactory (C = 21-23).

A low level of knowledge of the course’s contents together with gaps and deficienciesin terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will be considered as ‘barely passing' (D = 18-20) or result in a fail grading (E).

 

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Students with a form of disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) who are requesting academic adjustments or compensatory tools are invited to communicate their needs to the teaching staff in order to properly address them and agree on the appropriate measures with the competent bodies.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Donata Luiselli