34996 - Evolution and Human Biodiversity

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires knowledge about human evolution. In particular, the student will be able to know macro and micro evolutionary processes through the study of fossil evidence, genetic variability, cultural manifestations and past and modern human  adapation. In particular, the student will be able to: understand the evolutionary and adaptive aspects of human biodiversity; analyze the biodiversity of human remains; use bioindicators for the study of intra-and inter-population variation.

Course contents

The course consists of two modules:

Human evolution and Human biodiversity and Environment.

The module Human evolution (module 1) precedes that of Human biodiversity and Environment (module 2).

MODULE 1

History of human evolution throughout the study of the fossil record taking into account the environmental context of their recovery; the evolution of the Primates (65 millions years ago), Ominines and genus Homo (from the appearence of the early Homo about 2.5 millions years ago to the emergence of Homo sapiens, about 300 000 years ago); the most important steps of the human evolution tree in relation to climatic and ecological changes during the transitional periods (Plesitocene and Holocene); news and critical review of the scientific literature in order to understand the continuous process of revision of the landscape of the human evolution.

MODULE 2

• Human biodiversity
  - The human "races" do not exist.
  - Origin and diffusion of Homo sapiens. The contribution of molecular anthropology: archeogenetics and ancient DNA.
  - Human populations, ethnic groups and genetic barriers.
  - Analysis of human biodiversity. Isolation and genetic drift. Migrations and gene flow.

  - Molecular and genomic genetic markers.
  - The human population of the continents: origins and diffusion.
  - The maps of human biodiversity: phylogeny and phylogeography of human populations
  
  

• Human adaptability to the environment
  
  - Adaptive biodiversity of morphometric and pigmentary characters.
  - Genetic adaptations to environments

Readings/Bibliography

MODULE 1

Slides of the lessons and scientific papers will be provided to the students throughout the distribution listes at the beginning of each week.

Some web sites with updated and reliable information:

http://www.becominghuman.org/

http://humanorigins.si.edu/

http://pikaia.eu/category/argomenti/antropologia/

MODULE 2

PDF papers and chapters from the following texts will be provided to the students:

• Sara Stinson • Barry Bogin • Dennis O’Rourke • "Human Biology: an evolutionary and biocultural perspective (second edition)”
• Toomas Kivisild • Chris Tyler-Smith • Matthew Hurles • Edward Hollox • Mark A. Jobling • “Human Evolutionary Genetics (II edition)”.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

 

Assessment methods

The exam of Module 1 consists of the presentation (Powerpoint, Prezi) lasting up to 15 minutes in which the student will exhibit arguments taken from relevant scientific articles. The teacher will ask general questions of the arguments covered during the course of the Module 1 in order to evaluate the ability to correctly place the fossil record in time and space. Then the oral examination for the Module 2 program will take place. The final vote will take into consideration: meeting deadlines for the presentation, clarity, propriety in the use of scientific terminology, level of critical reading of the topics covered.

 

Teaching tools

PC and video projector

Office hours

See the website of Maria Giovanna Belcastro

See the website of Donata Luiselli