Human Adaptation

Recommended Prerequisites

The students should be able to read the bibliography in English.

Teaching Methods

Teaching methodologies:

- Lectures using “PowerPoints” presentations. Students are always motivated to participate with their opinions.

- Scientific documentaries when appropriate to a better understanding the topics under discussion and with discussion after the exhibition.

Evaluation:

- Written exam at the end of the semester (100%)

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to enhance student’s grasp of principles of human adaptation, a core part of biological anthropology. We aim to consolidate the concepts of adaptation and acclimatization; to examine the effects of environmental stressors such as climatic factors and their role in human evolution; the study of biological and cultural adaptation in several ecological contexts.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Human adaptation to the environment

2. Human Adaptability to Arctic Zones: example of cultural and biological adaptations of the Inuit

3. Human Adaptability to High Altitudes: example of biological adaptations to hypoxia in Andean and Tibetan Plateaus

4. Human Adaptability to Arid Zones: example of cultural and biological adaptations of the !Kung

5. Human Adaptability to Grasslands: example of cultural and biological adaptations of the Turkana

6. Human Adaptability to Humid Tropics: example of cultural and biological adaptations of the Baka.

Head Lecturer(s)

Cristina Maria Proença Padez

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

Beall, C. M. 2014. Adaptation to High Altitude: Phenotypes and Genotypes. Ann. Rev. Anthropol. 43:251-271.

Brown, D. 2020 Human Biological Diversity. Second Edition. Routledge

Jablonski, N. 2012  . Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color. University of California Press.

Morin, E. F. 2008. Human Adaptability. An Introduction to Ecological Anthropology. Third Edition. Westview Press.

Pavan, W. J. & Sturm, R. A. 2019. The Genetics of Human Skin and Air Pigmentation. Annu. Re. Genom. Hum. Genet. 20: 41-72

Stinson, S.; Bogin, B.; O´Rourke, D. 2012. Human Biology. An Evolutionary and Biocultural Perspective. Wiley-Liss.