Fall 2003

SCIE 638
The Origins of Modern Humans

West,Jolee

09/08/2003 - 12/13/2003
Tuesday 06:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Science Tower 139

What does it mean to be human? This is a question critical to the study of modern human origins - the answer influences our interpretations of the fossil and archaeological records. How we define our species, how we ask that important question, differs from one scientific field to the next. Paleontologists, archeologists, and molecular biologists are all currently working on the problem of how, when, and where the human species arose. We will explore this issue by examining of recent debates over the role of culture in non-humans, the fossil record of extinct humans, such as the "Hobbit" people of Flores, Indonesia (Homo florensiensis) and the Neanderthals, and the changing perspectives offered by research in molecular genetics.

Course readings consist of selected journal articles and book chapters. Course work includes participation in discussions of weekly readings, and a term paper on a relevant subject matter, chosen in consultation with the instructor, and divided into several scaffolded assignments.


Jolee West (B.A., M.A., Ph.D. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign) is director of academic computing services and digital projects. She has published in the fields of forensic anthropology, archaeology, and human evolution, including the forthcoming article "Differentiating bamboo from stone tool cut marks in the zooarchaeological record, with a discussion on the use of bamboo knives," West, J. A. and Louys, J., Journal of Archaeological Science. Click here for more information about Jolee West.

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Consent of Instructor Required: No

Format: Seminar

Level: GLSP Credits: 3 Enrollment Limit: 18

Texts to purchase for this course:

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