32707 - Ecology and Dynamics of Human Populations

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the history and patterns of human settlement (with particular reference to the Mediterranean Basin), the anthropological characteristics of current populations, the biocultural and adaptive relationships of populations with their environments, and the biological and demographic dynamics underlying their evolutionary history. At the end of the course the student will be able to analyze the factors and mechanisms leading to human mobility and biodemographic dynamics and to read the relationship between biocultural human communities, the environment and resources.

Course contents

The aim of the course is the study, according to an integrated bio-cultural approach, of the complex relationships between the human communities and the geographic, climatic, biotic and cultural factors of their living environment, to understand the adaptive processes and the biological, demographic, demic and genetic dynamics that have characterized their history. The course program will focus on the topics listed below.

1. The problem of the origins and the biological and cultural evolution of man (6 hours of frontal lessons): from hominization to humanization; the influence of climate and environmental changes on man's evolutionary history; models and dynamics of diffusion of the ancient human populations on the Earth in relation to geographic and climatic variables, resources and technological and cultural achievements.

2. Ecology of human populations (8 hours of frontal lessons) : human ecosystems, ecologicalniches and processes of biological and cultural adaptation; environmental stressors, homeostasis and human adaptability; genetic adaptation; phenotypic adaptation and physiological acclimatation; progressive adaptation during development; cultural adaptation and biocultural relations. The adaptive meaning of the somatic, physiological and genetic variability of human populations. The relationship of human populations with the biomes of warm climate (savannah, desert and equatorial forest), of circumpolar environment and high mountains.

3. The relationship of human populations with the food environment and resources (4 hours of frontal lessons): hunter-gatherers; the Neolithic transition; the domestication of plants; the origin and spread of agriculture; the domestication of animals; the economy of resource production; the carrying capacity of the territory; the urbanization process; the Industrial Revolution.

4. The phenomena of evolutionary mismatch (2 hours of frontal lessons): the cultural and technological evolution, the transformations of lifestyles, food changes and the phenomena of maladaptation and disevolution. Evolutionary mismatch diseases: food intolerances, metabolic disorders, vascular, osteo-articular and neurological diseases.

5. The relationship of human communities with the pathogenic environment (4 hours of frontal lessons): ecological, demographic and cultural aspects of diseases; human/pathogenic coevolution; the impact of diseases on the history of human populations and civilizations.

6. Demographic and demic dynamics of human populations (4 hours of frontal lessons): the structure and the biodemographic dynamics of human populations; the phenomena of isolation of human communities; endogamy and consanguinity; demographic measures and the factors involved in the growth of human populations. The diachronic and geographic trend of the human population. The demographic transition.

7. The Anthropocene, the challenges of the future and the responsibilities of man (2 hours of frontal lessons): environmental degradation; globalisation; technological development; demographic growth and the problem of resources.

Readings/Bibliography

G. G. MARTEN: Ecologia umana. Sviluppo sociale e sistemi naturali. Edizioni Ambiente, 2002.

D. E. LIEBERMAN: La storia del corpo umano. Evoluzione, salute e malattia. Codice Ed., 2014.

B. CHIARELLI: Dalla natura alla cultura. Principi di Antropopologia biologica e culturale. Vol III, Uomo, ambiente, società. Piccin, Padova, 2004.

G. MANZI, A. VIENNA: Uomini e ambienti. Il Mulino, 2009

G.T. MILLER: Scienze ambientali. EDISES, Napoli, 2002

J. DIAMOND: Armi, acciaio e malattie. Einaudi, 2006

J. DIAMOND: Collasso. Come le società scelgono di morire. Einaudi, 2005

L.L. CAVALLI-SFORZA: L'evoluzione culturale. Codice, 2008

L.L. CAVALLI-SFORZA, F. CAVALLI-SFORZA: Chi siamo. La storia della diversità umana. Arnoldo Mondadori, Milano, 1993.

L.L. CAVALLI-SFORZA: Geni, popoli e lingue. Adelphi, Milano, 1996.

The first two books on the list are the basics ones. The others books can be used to deepen.

Teaching methods

The course consists of frontal lectures related to the topics of the programme that can be supplemented by seminars on specific topics. Students will be encouraged to take an active part in the lessons through interventions, questions, requests for clarification and/or insights. During the course computer presentations will be projected, that will be distributed at the students at the end of the lessons.

Assessment methods

The assessment of student learning consists of an oral test, which can be sustained from the first useful scheduled exam after the end of the lessons, concerning the topics indicated in the course programme. At the begin of the exam, the student may propose to deal with a topic of choice, which will obviously follow the verification of the preparation on other topics of the program.

To pass the examination, the student will have to give evidence that he has acquired adequate knowledge, both general and systematic, on the various topics of the program and that he has seized the scientific and methodological instruments proper to the discipline. For the purpose of the final vote of the test will be evaluated:

- the degree of scientific and methodological deepening of the arguments covered;

- the ability to support a critical and reasoned close examination on the topics planned;

- the ability to carry out interdisciplinary connections;

- the language property and the exhibition quality.

Students not attending. The program of the course is the same for both students attending and not attending. The frequency of the lessons is strongly recommended for the achievement of a good profit, however, students who for valid reasons cannot attend the course are invited to consult the teacher, during the office hours, for the suggestion of the necessary supplementary texts.

Teaching tools

Slide projection and PowerPoint presentations. Seminars on specific topics and case studies held by specialists.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Gruppioni