Paleoanthropology is the study of human origins, of how we evolved from our apelike ancestors into our modern form with our modern capabilities. Drawing on both biological anthropology (the study of fossils, living primates, anatomy, genetics, and human variation) and archaeology (the study of material culture, such as tools, art, food remains), the course will examine what we know about our own evolutionary past and how we know it. The history of paleoanthropology--how our views of our past have changed--will also be explored. The course will include hands-on laboratory sessions utilizing fossil casts, stone tools, and other materials from the archaeology and anthropology collections. |