ANTH 315 Evolution and Human Behavior
This course is a broad overview of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. The course content covers four areas: (1) basics of evolutionary theory, including the primary theoretical paradigms in anthropology; (2) human reproductive effort (mating, sexuality, parenting, and reproduction); (3) human sociality and the intersection with culture (e.g. religious ritual); and (4) pathogens, health, and behavior. Students will also critique rationales and methods used to test evolutionary theories of behavior. To this end, the course will rely on comparative data with non-human primates and other mammals, insights from the fossil record of our hominid ancestors, and data from extant diverse human populations.
Prerequisite: ANTH 105 or permission of the instructor.