Honors 352: Natural Sciences : The Evolution of Human Nature
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Class:
Spring 2014
Ben Campbell
Sabin Hall; 125C; tel. 229-6250; email: campbelb@uwm.edu
TW 2:00 -4:00 and by appointment
Honors 190 MW 3:30-4:45
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
What makes us human? Ever since Darwin, this question has been sharpened by our understanding of
the human species as a product of evolution. The very traits thought to separate us from nature are in
fact a product of nature. However, until recently the fossil evidence for human evolution provided only
broad insights into the evolutionary origins of human nature. Now, a growing understanding of primate
behavior, genetics, the fossil record, and human biology has enabled anthropologists and others to
address how essential human qualities such as tool use, language, self-awareness and complex social
behavior emerged over the course of human evolution.
In this seminar we will consider the evolutionary origins of the human species and its implications for
human nature. In doing so we will focus on four important controversies; 1) what makes human
behavior different from that of our great ape relatives; 2) was there a single critical environmental event
that give rise to our remarkable human abilities; 3) how different are we from Neanderthals; 4) in what
way are the consequences of our evolutionary past still discernible in our behavior today. By the end of
the course, students should have a clear grasp of how evolution explains our seemingly un-natural
human capacities
Reading:
De Waal, Franz. 2007.Chimpanzee Politics
Falk, Dean. 2013. The Fossil Chronicles
Stringer, Chris. 2012 Lone Surviors: How We Came to Be the Only Humans on Earth.
Brooks, Rob 2012. Sex, Genes and Rock & Roll: How Evolution Shaped the Modern World
Course Requirements
Students will write a one to two page (single spaced) response to each of the books required for the
course. In addition, students will write an eight to ten page (doubled space) research paper on two of
the four main topics of the course. Students will have the opportunity to revise their research papers. In
addition to the assigned readings, students will be expected to find and read an article from a specified
popular press sources each week on the topic under discussion as part of their preparation for class
discussion. These articles will be collected in class and counted for half of the class participation grade;
the other half will be based on participating in the discussion.
Student performance will be evaluated as follows:
4 Book Responses @ 5%:
20%
2 research papers @ 25%: 50%
Class participation:
30%
Time Requirements: It is expected that students will spend 6hr/week outside of class, reading writing
papers
Course Outline
Week
Reading/Assignment
Jan.22 Introduction & Overview of Course
Why are you human?
Jan.27 Chimpanzees
How human?
Chimp Politics pgs. 3-76
Bring in article about chimp personality
Feb. 3 Chimpanzees
Politics
Chimp Politics pgs. 77-150
Article about male chimps
Feb.10 Chimpanzees
Sociality
Chimp Politics pgs.151-212
Article about chimp sociality
Book Response #1 Due
Feb. 17 Early Human Ancestors
Early Controversy
Fossil Chronicles pgs. 1-108
Article about Australopithecines
Feb. 24 Human Ancestor?
Modern Controversy
Fossil Chronicles pgs. 109-189
Article about Homo Florenesis
Book Response #2 Due
Mar. 3 Modern Human Origins
Lead Up
Paper #1 Due
Lone Survivors pgs. 1-80
Article about Neanderthals
Mar. 10 Modern Human Origins
Symbols
Lone Survivors pgs. 81-170
Article about Mind
Mar 17 No Class; Spring Break
Mar. 24 Modern Human Origins
Genes
Lone Survivors pgs.171-278
Article about AMHS Genetics
Book Response #3 Due
Apr. 7 Living Humans
No class on 4/9
Rock n Roll pgs. 1-77
Apr.14 Living Humans
Reproduction
Rock n Roll pg. 78-174
Article about Evol. & Reprod.
Apr. 21 Living Humans
Music
Rock n Roll pg. 175-268
Article about Evol. & Music
Book Response #4 Due
Apr. 28 Living Humans
Paper #2 Due
Campbell
Article about Middle Childhood
May 5 Wrap Up
Now why do you think you are human?
TBA
Personal Statement