Module HUSS2291: HUMAN ECOLOGY

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

HUSS2291: HUMAN ECOLOGY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enhance students' grasp of the principles of human ecology, a core part of biological anthropology.
• Students will learn about theories and approaches to understanding interactions between humans and their biological and social environments.
• It builds on introductory material presented in the first year module Human Diversity and provides a solid basis for third year modules which require an understanding of the anthropological approach to human population biology.

Content

• The course covers three major areas of human ecology: nutrition, resources and disease.
• The emphasis throughout is on an integrated understanding of the principles of human ecology, and in particular on looking at humans in their ecological and evolutionary context.
• In one half of the course, students will focus on nutrition and resource ecology.
• Basic principles of human digestive physiology and nutritional biochemistry, acquired in the first year, will be used to explore physiological and social consequences of diets in different populations.
• Following this the course will consider the adaptive nature of subsistence strategies (such as foraging, pastoralism and agriculture) and use these concepts to explore important contemporary issues such as famine and population growth.
• In the other half, ideas about adaptation will be explored in relation to health and disease in different social and physical environments.
• We will look particularly at the challenges posed by infectious and non-infectious disease in subsistence societies, and in developing and industrialised nations.
• For example, students may be asked to consider the causes and impact of newly emerged diseases such as HIV/AIDS and multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Learning Outcomes

• Human nutritional requirements.
• Nutrition and health.
• Ecological and social determinants of diet.
• Environment, resources and risk.
• The impact of changes in human lifestyles on disease profiles.
• The causative agents and transmission routes of the most important infectious diseases.

• Understand: How to apply human ecological approach to the understanding of resources, nutrition and diseases and the interactions between them.
• Handling data collected from human subjects.
• Have practised: (i) Basic anthropometric techniques; (ii) taking physiological measurements; (iii) data analysis and presentation; (iv) using the scientific method.
• Demonstrate the ability to write up a practical session involving the collection of data using standard anthropological methods

• Demonstrate the ability to learn and critique material presented in lectures and encountered in practicals
• Demonstrate the ability to write up a practical session involving the collection of data using standard anthropological methods
• Complete a timed essay, synthesising material from different parts of the course and developing and sustaining a structured argument, under timed (examination) conditions.
• Manage time effectively to work to deadlines.

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

• Lectures will provide teaching on key concepts and theories and provide factual information on human nutritional requirements, nutrition and health, ecological and social determinants of diet, environment, resources and risk, causative agents and transmission routes of the most important infectious diseases, risk factors for the most important non - communicable diseases and the impact of changes in human lifestyles on disease profiles.
• A mixture of practicals and classes will be used.
• Practicals will enable students to practise data collection and analysis, specifically learning basic anthropometric techniques, measuring energy balance and taking physiological measurements such as blood pressure.
• Classes will enable students to explore lecture material in greater depth and to apply a human ecological approach to the understanding of resources, nutrition and diseases and the interactions between them.
• Assessment by class report will be used to ensure understanding of the processes of data collection and analysis and ability to extract and summarise key arguments from relevant primary sources.
• Some library research will be required.
• The exam will allow students to draw together understanding from all parts of the course and demonstrate their ability to present a coherently argued essay.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One Practical write-up in Michaelmas Term: 1500 words One class-based practice exam question ( 1 hour)

■ 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