Fulfills 3 hrs. of the 9 hr. social science distribution requirement

This course will provide a broad introduction to Biological Anthropology and Human Evolution. The course is divided into four main sections; evolution and genetics, non-human primates, the origin of modern humans through the study of the fossil record, and a brief review of the prehistory of modern humans. Beginning with a brief presentation of the origin and elaboration of the idea of evolutionary change and the discovery of its mechanisms, we will investigate basic evolutionary principles including genetics, natural selection, contemporary human variation, and change. We will then investigate the variety and behaviors of non-human primates, and how they are used to give us insights into the possible behaviors of our hominid ancestors. Next we will discuss the fossil record of the hominids (our ancestors and their relations) and hominid evolutionary history. Lastly we will investigate the rapid developments that characterize modern humans, including the development of art, writing, agriculture, cities, and states.