Human Adaptation

Recommended Prerequisites

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

Teaching Methods

- 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.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to enhance student’s grasp of principles of human ecology, 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 adaptation in several ecological contexts.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Human adaptation to the environment

-Adaptation and acclimatization

-The nature of adaptation of responses to climatic stress factors: heat, cold, radiation and hypoxia

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

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

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Cameron, N.; Bogin, B. 2012. Human Growth and Development. Second Edition Academic  Press.

Frisancho, A. R. 1981. Human Adaptation. A Functional Interpretation. The University of Michigan Press. Ann Arbor.

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.

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