Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Biological and Environmental Sciences
Learning Methods
Lecture
Practical
Workshop
Module Offerings
7753NATSCI-SEP-CTY
Aims
This module aims to provide students with an in-depth exploration of the human fossil record, investigating questions such as: What is human? What is the earliest evidence of fossil hominins and how sure are we of this designation? What are the first well known hominins and what characteristics differentiate them from other primates? Why did our genus, Homo, arise, and how do we differ from earlier hominins? What led to the origin of modern humans? Key issues and topics in palaeoanthropology will be examined, ranging from the origins of the earliest hominins to modern humans, the biomechanics of bipedalism, and our distinct growth pattern and life-history.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Analyse primary and secondary literature on human and non-human ape evolution.
2.
Demonstrate critical knowledge of the paleoanthropological record and of key stages of human and hominid evolution.
3.
Present key ideas to the class and lead a class discussion
4.
Apply knowledge of anatomy and skeletal morphology to provide a thorough understanding of the anatomical features of each hominin group, infer key aspects of the behaviour of the species it represents, and understand how it fits into the larger framework of hominin diversity over the past 6-7 million years.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:
What is human? The Miocene and our earliest putative ancestors. The first true hominins: the australopiths. Biomechanics of bipedalism. Early Homo. Early and later Homo erectus. Muddle in the Middle: between Homo erectus to Homo sapiens. Neanderthals: our sister species. Late surviving relics or something else? Homo naledi and Homo floresiensis. Origins of modern humans. How do we grow? Life history evolution in hominins and other primates.
What is human? The Miocene and our earliest putative ancestors. The first true hominins: the australopiths. Biomechanics of bipedalism. Early Homo. Early and later Homo erectus. Muddle in the Middle: between Homo erectus to Homo sapiens. Neanderthals: our sister species. Late surviving relics or something else? Homo naledi and Homo floresiensis. Origins of modern humans. How do we grow? Life history evolution in hominins and other primates.
Module Overview:
This module is designed to cover key issues and topics in palaeoanthropology, ranging from the origins of the earliest hominins to modern humans, the biomechanics of bipedalism and our distinct growth pattern and life-history.
This module is designed to cover key issues and topics in palaeoanthropology, ranging from the origins of the earliest hominins to modern humans, the biomechanics of bipedalism and our distinct growth pattern and life-history.
Additional Information:
University of Liverpool module code ALGY751
University of Liverpool module code ALGY751