85525 - Biodiversity and Biocultural Dynamics of Human Population

Learning outcomes

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.

Course contents

1 – Human biology: an evolutionary and biocultural perspective

• Human biological and biocultural diversity
• The biocultural approach
• Biological and cultural determinants of human variation
• Evolutionary perspectives on human populations

2 – Human genetics, geography and human variation

• Basic concepts of human genetics
• Human genetic diversity
• Population structure and geographic variation
• Migration, gene flow and admixture

3 – Human biological variation and adaptation

• Evolutionary mechanisms shaping human diversity
• Adaptation and phenotypic plasticity
• Climate, environment and human variation
• Human resilience and environmental adaptation

4 – Climate, diet and pathogens: biocultural perspectives

• Nutrition and dietary adaptations
• Pathogens and infectious diseases in human evolution
• Environment, culture and health
• Biocultural approaches to human health
• Human responses to environmental change

5 – Nature and culture in human evolution

• Gene–culture coevolution
• Niche construction
• Cultural transmission and cultural evolution
• Human behavioural adaptation
• The interaction between biological and cultural evolution

6 – Human diversity, cultural heritage and human rights

• Human biological diversity and the concept of race
• Genetics, ancestry and identity
• Human mobility and population interactions
• Ethics in the study of human populations
• Human remains, biocultural heritage and human rights

Readings/Bibliography

Elise J. Sobo. Dynamics of Human Biocultural Diversity: A Unified Approach, 2020 Taylor and Francis, UK

Sara Stinson, Barry Bogin, Dennis O’Rourke. "Human Biology: an evolutionary and biocultural perspective (second edition)” 2012

Scientific papers will be suggested and provided during the course

 

Non-attending students.The program of the course is the same for both attending and non-attending students. The attendance of the lessons is strongly recommended for the achievement of a good profit, however, students who for valid reasons cannot attend are invited to contact the professor and, where appropriate, receive recommendations for supplementary reading.

Teaching methods

The course consists of lectures covering the topics outlined in the programme and may be complemented by seminars focusing on selected topics.

Lectures will be supported by PowerPoint presentations, which will be made available to students through the University's online learning platform.

Students are expected to actively participate in class through questions, discussions and critical reflections on the topics presented.

 

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning consists of an oral exam.The first part of the examination consists of a presentation on a topic chosen by the student. The topic must be agreed with the Professor and the presentation must be sent at least one week before the exam. The second part of the exam will concern the verification of the preparation on the topics of the program.

In order to pass the exam, the student must prove to have acquired adequate knowledge, both general and systematic, on the various topics in the program and to have mastered the scientific and methodological tools of the discipline.

For assessment purposes, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

For the  final grade of the test will be evaluated:

• the degree of scientific and methodological depth of the topics covered;

• the ability to support a critical and reasoned discussion on the topics in the program and to perform the necessary logical-deductive links;

• the ability to make interdisciplinary connections;

• the property of language and the quality of the exhibition.

Evaluation of the exam

The exam includes an assessment of the level of learning of the topics in the program with a grade expressed in thirtieths.

Graduation of the final grade:

• Very in-depth knowledge of the topics together with high critical analysis skills, connection and safe mastery of specific terminology: grade 30-30L;

• In-depth knowledge of the topics together with good analytical and critical skills and possession of an adequate mastery of specific terminology: grade 27-29;

• Technically adequate preparation and sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly articulated, expressed in a correct language: grade 23-26;

• Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a barely formally correct language: grade 18-22.

Teaching tools

The teaching materials, including the lecture slides and the scientific papers discussed during the course, will be made available on the Virtuale platform. Additional seminar sessions may be organized to explore specific topics and case studies in greater depth and may, where appropriate, be delivered by invited specialists.

Students with a specific learning profile or with a temporary or permanent disability are encouraged to contact the University Disability and Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) Office as soon as possible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ). The Office will provide support in identifying the solutions and accommodations best suited to their individual needs.

Office hours

See the website of Donata Luiselli