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.
Curriculum
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. Origin of primates and adaptive radiation. Main evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with attention to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from ape fossils to the first hominins and the modern human being. Bipedalism, diet, encephalization in Hominina. Migrations and gene flow: the relationships between Homo sapiens and other congeneric species. Hybridization. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Characteristics of the H. sapiens species and intraspecific variability.
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
Mutuazione: 20410730 Antropologia evoluzionistica in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 CAROSI MONICA
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. Origin of primates and adaptive radiation. Main evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with attention to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from ape fossils to the first hominins and the modern human being. Bipedalism, diet, encephalization in Hominina. Migrations and gene flow: the relationships between Homo sapiens and other congeneric species. Hybridization. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Characteristics of the H. sapiens species and intraspecific variability.
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
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
Final exam is an oral test and the evaluation, based on open questions, is based on the acquired scientific competences, on the analytical skills, and on the ability to argue also by using a scientific language appropriate to a master level. The delivery of an essay on a topic covered in class or on one of the practical experiences included in the course is optional. The essay allows the final grade to be increased by 2 points out of thirty. 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. Origin of primates and adaptive radiation. Main evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with attention to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from ape fossils to the first hominins and the modern human being. Bipedalism, diet, encephalization in Hominina. Migrations and gene flow: the relationships between Homo sapiens and other congeneric species. Hybridization. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Characteristics of the H. sapiens species and intraspecific variability.
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
Mutuazione: 20410730 Antropologia evoluzionistica in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 CAROSI MONICA
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. Origin of primates and adaptive radiation. Main evolutionary trends and phylogenetic relationships of primates with attention to the evolutionary lineage of Hominoidea. Paleoanthropology, human evolution and phylogeny of the genus Homo: from ape fossils to the first hominins and the modern human being. Bipedalism, diet, encephalization in Hominina. Migrations and gene flow: the relationships between Homo sapiens and other congeneric species. Hybridization. Biogeographic models and the origin of H. sapiens. Recent discoveries in the genus Homo. Characteristics of the H. sapiens species and intraspecific variability.
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
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
Final exam is an oral test and the evaluation, based on open questions, is based on the acquired scientific competences, on the analytical skills, and on the ability to argue also by using a scientific language appropriate to a master level. The delivery of an essay on a topic covered in class or on one of the practical experiences included in the course is optional. The essay allows the final grade to be increased by 2 points out of thirty.