Module HUSS1131: HUMAN DIVERSITY

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS1131: HUMAN DIVERSITY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the biological and social basis of human diversity and variation.
• The approach taken is cross-disciplinary, integrating perspectives on human diversity drawn from genetics and evolutionary biology as well as social and cultural anthropology.
• It will provide students with basic vocabulary, concepts and ideas which will prepare them for key second stage modules: Evolutionary Issues, Human Ecology, Cultures and Classifications, Life Cycle and Social Change

Content

• Students are introduced to the biological bases of diversity in terms of evolutionary adaptations and individual adaptability (physiological, development, Behavioural) and the basic principles of inheritance (DNA, Mendelian genetics, population genetics).
• This is followed by a consideration of human diversity in the wider context of non-human primates.
• In the other half of the course students are introduced to social perspectives on human diversity via the examples of classes and caste, race and ethnicity, gender, religion, and a discussion of 'identity'.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will understand and be familiar with: the basic principles and mechanisms of genetics, inheritance and human evolution.
• the different ways in which humans adapt to their environments and the interplay between physiological, developmental, genetic, Behavioural and cultural adaptations.
• basic principles of human biology and human variation from an evolutionary perspective.
• past and current debates surrounding the study of difference within social anthropology.

• They will be able to: articulate the intersection of biological and social approaches to the study of difference and variation in anthropology.
• relate theoretical approaches in the anthropology of difference to real life current issues.
• They will have practised: taking physiological measurements useful in understanding the biological basis of human variation.
• analysing and presenting quantitative, biological data.
• basic techniques used in genetic studies.

• Short essay writing.

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

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Coursework.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Assignments in practicals and lectures, a 1500 word essay, practice MCQ tests, practice SAQ tests

■ 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