Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)
Module HUSS1141: BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ORIGINS
Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]
HUSS1141: BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL ORIGINS
| Type | Tied | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2009/10 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Queen's Campus Stockton |
|---|
| Tied to | C1L6 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | B991 |
| Tied to | L600 |
Prerequisites
- None.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To introduce students to the concepts of humans as animals, mammals and primates, basic evolutionary theory, the principles of human evolution and the origins of modern humans and the development of human social life.
Content
- In the first term we will examine humans as part of the biological world, particularly emphasising our animal heritage.
- We will contrast social behaviour and life in complex social groupings between ourselves and our non-human primate relatives.
- The basic concepts of evolution and the theory of natural selection will be investigated.
- We will begin to examine the fossil evidence of our ancestors and the adaptations particular to human evolution.
- In the second term we will continue the programme of discovering human evolution through the fossil record, moving towards the evolution of social/cultural aspects of human life, e.g. subsistence strategies, technology, language and ritual.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Knowledge of comparative anatomy.
- Appreciation of the position of humans in the biological world and their taxonomic heritage.
- Understanding of the principles and mechanisms of evolution.
- Awareness of the origins and evolution of humans.
- Appreciation of the bases of human social life and the development of cultural paterns.
- Understanding of the evidence for human evolution as provided by the archaeological record.
- Familiarity with past and current debates surrounding the evolution of humans.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Familiarity with basic techniques used in the study of primate, hominid and human evolution.
- Collection and interpretation of anatomical and paleoanthropological data.
- Appreciation of anthropological approaches to the biological and social evolution of humans.
Key Skills:
- Demonstrate competence in lab work.
- Write reports and practicals.
- Conduct research on a given subject using print and electronic resources.
- Formulate a short library research project.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures
- Practicals
- Coursework
- Practical Work
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | As appropriate to nature of material | 2 hours | 20 | ||
| Lectures | 10 | As appropriate to nature of material | 1 hour | 10 | ||
| Practicals | 10 | Alternate weeks | 2 hours | 20 | ■ | ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 150 | |||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Exam | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Exam | 100% | ||
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Essay | 100% | ||
| % | |||
Formative Assessment:
Practical worksheets on topics that will prepare students for exam questions, to be submitted end of Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms. Presentation / in-class dicussion of essay topic with verbal formative feedback.
■ 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