The course aims to provide the student with fundamental knowledge for understanding the place of humans in nature in the context of modern evolutionary biology. In this regard at the conclusion of the course the student will be expected to (a) understand morphology, physiology, ethology and cognition of human and non-human primates using a comparative approach, (b) to appreciate the adaptive significance of morphological and behavioral variation in human and non-human primates from an ecological perspective (c) to know the evolution of apes in light of phylogenetic relationships between living and extinct groups of primates, and (d) to understand major trends in hominin evolution through the fossil evidence for the origins of modern humans. The course aims to stimulate the student's critical sense through discussion of scientific articles and to introduce the student to the central themes of anthropocentrism.
teacher profile teaching materials
Introduction to the order of primates: distinctive characters compared to other mammals, anatomy, ecology and evolution. Geographical distribution of primates and introduction to behavioral, social, ecological and life cycle characteristics. Primate origin and adaptive radiation. Major evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with emphasis to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from fossil apes to the early hominins and modern humans. Bipedalism, diet, sexual dimorphism, encephalization, tool use. Migrations and relationships between H. sapiens and other congeneric species. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Insights from invited seminars.
Fleagle, J. G. (2013). Primate adaptation and evolution. Third Edition. Academic press.
Manzi G. (2013). Il grande racconto dell'evoluzione umana. Bologna: Il Mulino
The professor receives by appointment via email: monica.carosi@uniroma3.it
Programme
SYLLABUSIntroduction to the order of primates: distinctive characters compared to other mammals, anatomy, ecology and evolution. Geographical distribution of primates and introduction to behavioral, social, ecological and life cycle characteristics. Primate origin and adaptive radiation. Major evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with emphasis to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from fossil apes to the early hominins and modern humans. Bipedalism, diet, sexual dimorphism, encephalization, tool use. Migrations and relationships between H. sapiens and other congeneric species. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Insights from invited seminars.
Core Documentation
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:Fleagle, J. G. (2013). Primate adaptation and evolution. Third Edition. Academic press.
Manzi G. (2013). Il grande racconto dell'evoluzione umana. Bologna: Il Mulino
The professor receives by appointment via email: monica.carosi@uniroma3.it
Reference Bibliography
FURTHER READINGS: Recent scientific articles on specific topics provided by the professor.Type of delivery of the course
This is a lecture-based course (40h), which expects a strong interactive component between teacher and students and includes practical activities and excursion (25h). In-depth primary literature articles may be suggested in class and later provided to students. During the course there might be interventions by external experts on particular topics of interest.Type of evaluation
The examination grade is derived from the evaluation of an oral test and a practical activity carried out during the course. The final grade will be the average between those awarded both to the oral (scientific skills acquired, ability to analyze, ability to argue with scientific language appropriate to the level of master's preparation) and to the practical activity planned during the excursion. The delivery of an essay on a topic covered in class or on one of the practical experience included in the course, is optional. The essay allows the final grade to be increased by 2 points out of thirty.