Human Adaptation
1
2023-2024
02025732
Biology
Portuguese
Face-to-face
SEMESTRIAL
6.0
Compulsory
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado
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)
NoSyllabus
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.