IDENTIFYING DATA 2019_20
Subject (*) HUMAN EVOLUTION Code 12645109
Study programme
Quaternary Archaeology and Human Evolution (2010)
 Cycle 2nd
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
5 Compulsory Second
Language
Anglès
Department History and History of Art
Coordinator
LORENZO MERINO, CARLOS
 E-mail carlos.lorenzo@urv.cat
Lecturers
LORENZO MERINO, CARLOS
Web http://prehistoria.urv.net
General description and relevant information This subject is a general presentation of the human evolution and the human fossils which document this evolution. First, se introduce the order of Primates, which include a human, analyze the shared characteristics between primates and their current classification. Secondly, more specifically, we present the different species fossils who belong to our evolutionary family: hominids. We analyze the characteristics of hominids and how these have appeared throughout evolution. Ultimately, we explore the emergence and expansion of our species Homo sapiens; the only hominin species living today.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
  Common
  AC1 To evaluate the updated information in the different fields of research.
  AC2 Have analytical decision capability.
  AC3 To perform technical analysis protocols.
  AC4 To evaluate fossil remains and decide on preventive archaeological interventions.
  AC7 To train yourself in the treatment and registration of data.
  AC9 To plan research projects.
  AC11 To have research capacity, generation of paradigm and demonstration.
  AC12 To plan social and didactic dissemination projects.
Type B Code Competences Transversal
  Common
  BC1 Learning to learn.
  BC2 Effective solutions to complex problems.
  BC3 Critical, logical and creative thinking, and an ability to innovate
  BC4 Autonomy, responsibility and initiative.
  BC6 Clear and effective communication of information, ideas, problems and solutions in public or a specific technical field.
  BC7 Sensitivity to environmental issues.
Type C Code Competences Nuclear
  Common
  CC1 Have an intermediate mastery of a foreign language, preferably English.
  CC2 Be advanced users of the information and communication technologies.
  CC3 Be able to manage information and knowledge.
  CC5 Be committed to ethics and social responsibility as citizens and professionals.

Learning aims
Objectives Competences
Comprendre i avaluar la metodologia bàsica per l'estudi del registre fòssil AC1
AC2
AC4
AC7
AC9
AC11
 BC2
BC3
BC4
 CC1
CC2
CC3
Aplicar coneixements d'anatomia humana als estudis evolutius AC1
AC2
AC3
AC4
AC7
AC11
 BC1
BC2
BC3
BC4
 CC1
CC2
CC3
Conèixer el primats actuals i els fòssils AC1
AC4
AC11
AC12
 BC3
BC7
 CC1
CC3
CC5
Conèixer els models interpretatius aplicats a les restes humanes més importants del registre fòssil. AC1
AC2
AC3
AC4
AC9
AC11
AC12
 BC1
BC3
BC4
BC6
 CC1
CC3

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
I. Human evolution and methods I.a. Human paleontology and evolutionary theory.
I.b. Methodology and evolutionary analysis.
II. Primates. II.a. Current Primates: classification and characteristics.
II.b. Primate evolution: the fossil record of primates.
II.c. The superfamily of hominoids and their evolution.
III. The first hominids. III.a. The first representatives of the hominid family.
III.b. Australopithecus and Paranthropus.
III.c. Other non-human hominids.
IV. The genus Homo. IV.a. The origin of Homo and technology.
IV.b. The peopling of Asia.
IV.c. Settlement and development in Europe: the sites from the Sierra de Atapuerca.
IV.d. Neandertals.
IV.e. The origin and evolution of Homo sapiens.

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours Hours outside the classroom (**) Total hours
Introductory activities
3 3 6
 
Previous study
5 12 17
Assignments
0 35 35
Lecture
35 10 45
Problem solving, exercises in the classroom
10 10 20
 
Personal attention
2 0 2
 
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities Approach the situation of human paleontology studies to archaeologists
Previous study Reading texts or articles important to understand the methodology of analysis and aspects of human evolution
Assignments Presentation of one critical review of a recently published scientific article related to the field of human evolution
Lecture Lecture topics linked to the evolution of hominids, the techniques applied to the study of fossils and the preserved fossil record .
Problem solving, exercises in the classroom Identify basic human anatomy using anatomical material and human primates.

Observation of the anatomy of the most important using the collection of replicas of human fossil.
Personal attention 1. Follow the process of academic students. 2. Facilitate the access to research and bibliography 3. To guide students in analyzing information and writing papers 4. Discuss articles and / or educational materials to facilitate understanding of the subject

Personalized attention
 
Personal attention
Description
1. Follow the process of academic students. 2. Facilitate the access to research and bibliography . 3. To guide students in analyzing information and writing papers. 4. Discuss articles and / or educational materials to facilitate understanding of the subject.

Assessment
  Description Weight
Assignments Presenting a critical review of one recently published scientific article related to the field of human evolution. 80%
Lecture Attendance and participation in lectures and practical 20%
 
Other comments and second exam session

Los estudiantes matriculados en la URV siguen el sistema ECTS y tienen derecho a las convocatorias de evaluación indicadas en la normativa académica de grado y máster vigente.

The second evaluation comprises the 100% of the course. It is addressed to the students that have not passed the continuous assessment.


Sources of information

Basic

Recommended handbook:

- Boyd, R. & Silk, J.B. (2006) How humans evolved. 4 edition. W.W. Norton & Company. / Boyd, R. & Silk, J.B. (2004). Cómo evolucionaron los humanos (J. Bertranpetit, Trad.). 2 ª edición Barcelona: Ariel.

 

Basic Bibliography:

- Arsuaga, J.L. y Martínez, I. (1998). La especie elegida. La larga marcha de la evolución humana. Madrid: Temas de Hoy.

- Arsuaga, J.L. (2001). El Enigma de la Esfinge. Areté, Barcelona

- Aiello, L. y Dean, C. (1990). An Introduction to Human Evolutionary Anatomy, San Diego: Academic Press.

- Carbonell, E. y Sala, R. (1999). Planeta Humà. Península, Barcelona.

- Carbonell, E., Rodríguez, X. P., Sala, R., van der Made, J., Lorenzo, C., Mosquera, M., Vaquero, M., Rosell, J., Valverdú, J., Burjachs, F. & Hortolà, P. (2005). Homínidos: las primeras ocupaciones de los continentes. Barcelona: Ariel.

- Fleagle, J. (1999). Primate Adaptation and Evolution. San Diego: Academic Press.

- Johanson, D. y Edgar, B. (1996). From Lucy to Language. Nueva York: Simon & Schuster.

- Jones, S., Martin, R. y Pilbeam, D. (eds.) (1992). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Evolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

- Klein, R. (1989). The Human Career: Human Biological and Cultural Origins. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (2ª edición, 1999).

- Lorenzo, C. (2014). Las raíces de los neandertales. Investigación y Ciencia 458: 8-9.

- Stringer, C. y Gamble, C. (1996). En busca de los neandertales. Barcelona: Crítica.

- Tattersall, I. (1995). The Last Neandertal. Nueva York: Macmillan.

- Tattersall, I., Delson, E. y Van Couvering, J. (eds.) (1988). Enclyclopedia of Human Evolution and Prehistory. Nueva York: Garland. (Second Edition, 1999).
Complementary

Scientific Journals

1) Specific journals:

- American Journal of Physical Anthropology

- Journal of Human Evolution

- Evolutionary Anthropology

 

2) Journals with some content in human evolution:

- Annual Review of Anthropology

- Current Anthropology

- International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

- Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

- Journal of Archaeological Science

- L'Anthropologie

3) Multidisciplinary Journals:

- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

- Nature

- Science
Recommendations
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.