Module ANTH3191: CURRENT ISSUES IN HUMAN GENETICS

Department: ANTHROPOLOGY

ANTH3191: CURRENT ISSUES IN HUMAN GENETICS

Prerequisites

• Biological Anthropology I (ANTH2061) OR Biological Anthropology II (ANTH2011). Prerequisite for Human Sciences students: completion of Level 2 BSc Human Sciences OR BSc Health and Human Sciences.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To study human genetic variation and current topics in human genetics.
• To appreciate the diversity of issues in human genetic research.
• To critically evaluate the ethical, social, legal and biological consequences, of conducting these types of studies in developing and developed countries.

Content

• Content: This module examines the importance and consequence of human genetic variation and introduces students to current issues in human genetics.
• Using materials from human molecular genetics and anthropology, the implications of these types of genetic studies are explored, to give students a broader understanding of the diversity of issues related to anthropological genetics and the importance of considering the implications of conducting such research in developing and developed countries.
• Synopsis: To study human genetic variation and current topics in human genetics.
• To appreciate the diversity of issues in human genetic research and to critically evaluate the ethical, social, legal and biological consequences of these types of studies in developing and developed countries.
• Summary Syllabus: To describe different regions of the human genome and to understand the different types of markers and genetic methods used to assay human genetic variation.
• To introduce current issues in human genetic research and to explore human genetic variation in relation to disease susceptibility and resistance.
• To understand: the guidelines and considerations in conducting genetic/biomedical studies, the Human Genome Project, concepts of 'race', cloning, genetic therapy, prenatal selection, genetic testing, gene patenting and genetic effects upon behaviour (intelligence, personality, mate choice and sexuality).

Learning Outcomes

• Factual material: Description and importance of human genetic variation.
• Comparison and interpretation of genetic variation between populations.
• Introduction of guidelines and considerations to conduct genetic studies.
• Familiarity of current issues in human genetic research.
• Understanding the ethical, social, legal and biological consequences of different types of human genetic research.

• To be able to identify and describe different regions of the human genome.
• Familiarity with different types of genetic makers and methods used to analyse human genetic variation.
• Knowledge of current topics in human genetics including genetic variation and disease susceptibility and resistance, guidelines and considerations in conducting genetic/medical studies, the Human Genome Project, Human Genome Diversity Project, concepts of 'race', cloning, genetic therapy, prenatal selection, genetic testings, gene patenting and genetic effects upon behaviour (intelligence, personality, mate choice and sexuality).

• Integrate and evaluate a range of information and data from primary and secondary sources, discern and establish connections, extract material points and present a coherent theoretical and practical understanding of them.
• Search information sources effectively (e.g. libraries, online databases and electronic journals) and find information.
• use academic literature effectively.
• Structure and communicate ideas effectively in writing essays.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, tutorials (attendance at tutorial classes during the year is compulsory), and seminars.
• Summative Assessment includes (1) Two essays, of approximately 2,000 words each (20%).
• (2) One two hour examination (80%) and Formative Assessment is Feedback on summative essays.
• In addition Seminar notes submitted and returned with comments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Feedback on summative essays.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University