Time Schedule:
Eric A Smith
BIO A 469
Seattle Campus
Delineation and analysis of a specific problem or a more general area in biocultural anthropology. Offered occasionally by visiting or resident faculty.
Class description
This course surveys the key concepts, research strategies, and debates concerning the processes and outcomes of biocultural evolution. "Biocultural" refers to the joint influence of genetic and cultural systems of inheritance on behavior; "evolution" refers to cumulative change in features of individuals and populations (in this case, behavioral features and their products). While an arena of much contention (both scientific and extra-scientific), the focus of this course is on the complementarity of various methods and theories for understanding human biocultural evolution. We thus examine the models and findings from a variety of approaches (such as behavioral ecology, dual transmission theory, phylogenetic analysis, and evolutionary psychology).
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
The format of the course is a combination of lecture, discussion, and student presentation. The reading load is fairly intensive, including both introductory material and scholarly journal articles.
Recommended preparation
BIO A 201 is a required prerequisite, unless instructor's permission is obtained. Those with prior coursework in evolutionary biology will be exempted from this prerequisite.
Class assignments and grading
Written assignments and test will be distributed quite evenly throughout the quarter. These include: short (ca. one page) written summaries and evaluations of assigned readings (one chapter or article per week) a class presentation summarizing published research on one of the weekly topics of the course (in a team with 1 or 2 other students, depending on course enrollment), including the use of visual material (overheads, powerpoint, or handouts) three take-home roblem sets that require application of selected methods and concepts (e.g., phylogenetic analysis) to hypothetical examples designed by the instructor
Tentatively, as follows: - Reading summaries (32%) - Take-home problems (45%) - Class presentation (15%) - Discussion participation (8%)
