Biodiversity and Biocultural Dynamics of Human Population 2021/2022

Academic Year 2021/2022

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

Human Biology: An Evolutionary and Biocultural Perspective
Human diversity: biological and not biological causes
An introduction to genetics: genetics, geography and human variation
Human biological variability: mechanisms that create and pattern this variability.
Human adaptability, the geographical distribution of diversity, migrations and admixture
The role of Climate, diet and pathogens : biocultural approaches to health and diet
Co-evolution between nature and culture in human evolution
Races and Inter-Mixing, Nationalities, Cultures, Castes, Classes and Religions

Readings/Bibliography

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

Scientific papers will be suggested during the course

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

A written test with 10 questions (multiple-choice and open questions). Each answer has a value up to 3 scores and in the case of complete answers, the student will achieve the full mark cum Laude.

Teaching tools

Slides and PC

Office hours

See the website of Donata Luiselli

85525 - Biodiversity and Biocultural Dynamics of Human Population

Course Unit Page

SDGs