Description

Undergraduate

Module content

Although we are the only surviving hominin species, this was not always the case. This module provides a general knowledge of the fossil evidence for human evolution within its geographical, temporal and ecological context. Students will become familiar with the anatomy of our ancestors

through an analysis of the origin, evolution and consequences of the major physical and behavioural adaptations of humans. The module will introduce the different hominin species by addressing the key evolutionary milestones associated with human origins such as changes in the type of locomotion, diet, tool-making abilities, body size or brain evolution.

 

          Indicative topics

  What does it mean to be human
	  The evolution of bipedalism and the first putative hominins The earliest undisputed hominins
	  The origins of the genus Homo
	   First hominin migrations out of Africa The origin and demise of Neanderthals
	   The origin and dispersals of modern humans Mysterious human species 
	   Teaching delivery
	   Weekly 2-hour lectures and weekly 2-hour lab sessions where students have the opportunity to work with hominin casts  and other skeletal material.
 

        Learning outcomes:

        UG L5

 Having completed this module, students will:
	 understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history of other organisms
	 understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
	 understand the timing and reasons underlying hominin migrations across the world
	 be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
	 be familiar with the behavioural advances associated with different groups of hominins, including tool- making, language production, etc
	 be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate hominin species based on their cranial anatomical traits
	understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply them to simple case studies
 

UG L7 

Having completed this module, students will:

understand that human evolutionary history shares multiple aspects with the evolutionary history of other organisms
	understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
	understand the timing and reasons underlying hominin migrations across the world
	be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological context, and their evolutionary relationships
	be familiar with the behavioural advances associated with different groups of hominins, including tool-making, language production, etc
	understand the controversies and “grey areas” associated with the study of the evolution of our own species, and be able to critically evaluate game-changing claims that are typically made by palaeoanthropologists
	be able to write academically and critically about topics related to palaeoanthropological research
	be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate hominin species based on their cranial anatomical traits
	understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply them to simple case studies and, potentially, to their own research questions.
        Additional information

        The textbook for this module is:

Henke, W. & Tattersall, I. (2015). Handbook of Paleoanthropology. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, which is fully accessible online through UCL Library. This book is very broad and provides information on multiple aspects of palaeoanthropology. Students are welcome to read the complete book, but they do not need to. We will indicate each week the specific chapters that need to be read that week.

 

Additional readings include recent papers published in prestigious scientific journals that have been broadly covered by the media because of their general interest for understanding human origins and evolution. Those papers are provided to students during the course of the module.

 

Please note the assessment titles may be subject to change.

Postgraduate

Module content

The hominin fossil record documents our evolutionary history, but the study of the fossil evidence pertaining to our own evolution is not free of uncertainties and controversies. This module provides a venue for discussion of the most recent findings and debates regarding human origins and evolution within its geographical, temporal and ecological context.

         Students will become familiar with current debates regarding the anatomy, evolutionary relationships, ecology and behaviour of our ancestors through the analysis and discussion of recent research papers related to these topics.

Indicative topics

What does it mean to be human?
	The evolution of bipedalism and the first putative hominins
	The earliest undisputed hominins
	The origins of the genus Homo
	First hominin migrations out of Africa
	The origin and demise of Neanderthals
	The origin and dispersals of modern humans
	Mysterious human species
Teaching delivery

Weekly 2-hour seminars and weekly 2-hour lab sessions. Optional (but strongly recommended) attendance to weekly 2-hour undergrad lectures.

Learning outcomes

PG L7

Having completed this module, students will:

  understand and be able to explain the major transitions undergone by humans during our evolutionary history
	  be familiar with all fossil species within the human evolutionary tree, as well as their spatial, temporal and ecological  context, and their evolutionary relationships
	  understand the controversies and “grey areas” associated with the study of the evolution of our own species, and be able to critically evaluate game-changing claims that are typically made by palaeoanthropologists
	  be able to synthesize the information contained in research papers and to present it to other students in a clear  and engaging way
	  be able to participate in academic discussions using scientific arguments and a critical evaluation of methods and data
	  be able to identify interesting palaeoanthropological research topics that are worthy of additional research, and be able to write about them academically and critically 
	  be able to identify cranial and postcranial bone fragments of different hominin species, as well as to differentiate hominin  species based on their cranial anatomical traits
	  understand the methods used in palaeoanthropological research, and be able to apply those methods to their own research questions
         Additional information

 This module is based on seminars and discussions where students have the leading role, with the module instructor acting mostly as a moderator. Each week, some students present papers on a certain topic and other students present a critical evaluation, after which the whole class joins the discussion. Papers change each year to reflect the most recent fossil findings and the hottest palaeoanthropological debates. This module is run in parallel with ANTH0012-UG, which provides the theoretical bases and practical knowledge students need to engage in meaningful scientific discussion.

 

Please note the assessment titles may be subject to change.

 