11521 - Phisical Anthropology I

Learning outcomes

Through an analysis of human variability, the course provides knowledge and research methods concerning the biological and biocultural processes underlying the evolutionary history, dynamics and mechanisms of environmental adaptation of human populations. Particular attention is given to the biocultural diversity of human groups and to the conservation and appreciation of such diversity.

Course contents

The course consists of an introductory part providing the biological knowledge necessary to understand the processes and mechanisms that generate human variability and govern the evolutionary and adaptive processes of populations. It is followed by a part dealing with the various aspects of variability, microevolutionary processes, systematics and population dynamics. The following topics are discussed: 1) Introduction to biological anthropology. The genetic bases and environmental factors of human variability. Principles and mechanisms of evolution. Processes of genetic, phenotypic and cultural adaptation of man to the environment. 2) Human variability at the synchronic and diachronic level and biocultural relationships with the environment. The anthropological and adaptive significance of human variability: morphological, metric and skin traits in man and the various human populations. Human growth and ageing. Biodemographic dynamics of human populations. Analysis of isolation, endogamy and consanguinity by means of archival data. Study of the genetic structure of human populations through analysis of the distribution of genetic polymorphisms. The diversity of human groups: large racial groupings and various human types.

Readings/Bibliography

F. FACCHINI, Antropologia – Evoluzione, Uomo, Ambiente, UTET Libreria, Torino, II ed., 1995.
G. SPEDINI, Antropologia evoluzionistica, Piccin, Padova, 1999.
B. CHIARELLI, Dalla Natura alla Cultura - Principi di Antropologia biologica e culturale, Piccin, Padova, 2003-2004.

Teaching methods

The course is based on lectures dealing with the program topics, supplemented by seminars on specific subjects and some practical exercises.

Assessment methods

Student evaluation consists of an oral exam on the entire course program. The student must show that he/she has acquired adequate general and systematic knowledge of the various topics and has mastered the scientific and methodological tools necessary for a reasoned analysis and criticism of the program subjects.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be given with the assistance of traditional supports, as well as slide and computer projections.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Gruppioni