Biological Anthropology
Code
711001047
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Antropologia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Francisca Alves Cardoso
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Physical anthropology will be presented as an interdisciplinary science focussed on the study of human evolution. It is intended to familiarize the students with the contributions of different research areas: Palaeontology, Archaeology, Human Ecology, Human Genetics, Primatology.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
1. Presentation. What is the biological anthropology?
2. Us as primates.
3. The geological time scale. The continental drift and climate change.
4. Methods of radiometric and relative dating.
5. Biology of skeleton and some methodologies used in their study.
6. Some questions of Funerary Anthropology.
7. Human Evolution
7.1. The first hominins and their characteristics
7.2. Phylogenies, morphology and behaviour of hominins
7.3. Use of tools, meat consumption and gathering behaviour
7.4. The hominins of Pleistocene
7.5. The anatomically modern humans
- The Upper Palaeolithic technology
- The behavioir of Homo sapiens sapiens
- Origin and dispersal of anatomically modern humans
Bibliography
Boyd, R. & Silk, J. B., 2012. How humans evolved. 6th Ed. NT, London, W.W. Norton & Company.
Cartwright, J., 2000. Evolution and Human Behavior. Cambridge, The MIT Press.
Conde, C. J. C. & Ayala, F. J., 2001. Senderos de la Evolución Humana. Madrid, Alianza Editorial.
Jones, S., Martin, R. D. & Pilbeam, D. (eds.), 1995. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Matsuzawa, T. (ed.), 2001. Primate Origins of Human Cognition and Behavior. Tokyo, Springer-Verlag.
Vieira, A. B., 1995. Ensaios sobre a Evolução do Homem e da Linguagem. Lisboa, Fim de Século Edições.
Teaching method
The functioning of the discipline consists of lectures, that, nevertheless, allows discussion of a few topics with the students. Some documentaries related with the topics presented will be displayed in class, and discussed.
Evaluation method
Evaluation will be based on a final exam, being also considered the presence and participation of students in class. The exam will cover all topics taught during the semester.