ANTH 2001 Human Biocultural Evolution

How did Homo sapiens become an invasive biological species occupying diverse terrestrial habitats and transforming environments through progressively disruptive cultural practices? Beginning with a firm grounding in scientific methodology, this introductory course surveys the evolutionary trajectory of our species over deep geological time, highlighting critical periods characterized by major biocultural transformations affecting how humans adapted to their local environments. The more recent history of Homo sapiens is then examined, focusing on the complex interaction between our evolving species and the ecosystems it inhabits within the context of the cultural systems that mediate this interaction. Finally, we turn our attention to the future, specifically on the sustainability of human behaviors that promote our biological persistence yet increasingly impact life on a global scale.
Credits: 4.0