The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge needed to understand humanity’s place in nature within the context of modern evolutionary biology. To this end, by the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate (a) knowledge of the morphology, physiology, ethology, and cognition of human and non-human primates from a comparative perspective, (b) an appreciation of the adaptive significance of morphological and behavioral variation in human and non-human primates from an ecological perspective, (c) knowledge of the evolution of hominoids (anthropomorphs) in light of the phylogenetic relationships among living and extinct primate groups, and (d) an understanding of the major trends in hominin evolution through the fossil record of the origins of modern humans. The course aims to stimulate students’ critical thinking through the discussion of scientific articles and to introduce students 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. 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
Mutuazione: 20410730 Antropologia evoluzionistica in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 R 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. 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
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. 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
Mutuazione: 20410730 Antropologia evoluzionistica in Biodiversità e Tutela dell'Ambiente LM-6 R 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. 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
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.