Download L T P/S SW/FW TOTAL CREDIT UNITS 3 1 2

Course Title: Foundation in Modern Biological Anthropology
L
T
P/S
SW/F
W
Course Code:
3
1
2
-
Credit Units: 04 + 01
TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS
05
Course Objectives:
Theory:
This course aims at introducing the students to the basics of biological anthropology, its historical background, how it
evolved as a science, its important branches, scope and applications to the welfare of mankind. It provides a
background canvas in understanding the story of human evolution focusing mainly on the basic principles and
processes involved in human evolution. Historical development of evolutionary thought and the existing theorieson
human evolution will be dealt with in detail.
Practical:
The course seeks to train students practically in basic principles of Anthropometry –having applications; in human
micro-evolution, racial differentiation, growth, forensic, clothing, sports, etc
Pre-requisites: Basic understanding of Anthropology, Life sciences, Human evolution and Race formation
Student Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
•
Describe and comprehend the basics of biological anthropology, its main branches, scope and applications to the welfare of
mankind, also current theories and evidences in Biological Anthropology with special reference to fossil evidences in human
evolution
•
Will have sufficient understanding of human microevolution, and the genetic background of human variation.
•
Will be well versed in theoretical and practical aspects of Somatometry and Somatoscopy
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Module I
Descriptors/Topics: Introduction to Biological Anthropology
Introduction, Nature and Scope
Branches of Biological Anthropology
Bio-cultural Perspective in evolutionary processes
Applied aspects of Biological Anthropology.
Module II
Descriptors/Topics : Theories of Evolution
Theories of evolution: Lamarckism, Darwinism, Neo - Darwinism
Synthetic theory of evolution , Evidences of Evolution:
Module III
Descriptors/Topics – Dimensions of Evolution
Evolution as a two stage process: Production of and redistribution of Variation
Microevolution: Factors that produce and distribute variation: Mutation, Recombination, Migration, Drift
and Natural Selection
Macroevolution: Adaptation, Adaptive radiation, Convergence and Parallelism, Generalised and
Specialized traits, Modes of Evolutionary changes: Gradualism Vs. Punctuated Equilibrium, Mosaic
Evolution.
Module IV
Descriptors/Topics –Evolution of Man
Distribution, Classification and important characteristics of Living primates., Earliest primates of Oligocene,
Miocene and Pliocene, Aegyptopithecus, Propliopithecus, Dryopithecus and Proconsul, Comparative anatomy of
Man and Apes , Evolution of Man, Hominization process: Interpretation of fossil records – Early hominids to
emergence of modern man.
Module V
Descriptors/Topics : Human Variation
Weightage (%)
20%
20 %
20%
20%
20 %
Bio-cultural Evolution of Humans
Multiregional Vs. out of Africa theories of Modern Human origins
Phenotypic and Genotypic variation, Distribution of Human Variation
Historical overview of concept of Race, Criteria of Racial Classification,
Genetic aspects of race mixture. Racism, UNESCO Statement on Race
Pedagogy for Course Delivery:
The course pedagogy will include lectures, presentations, and seminars, practical sessions
Lab/ Practical details, if applicable:
List of Experiments:
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Somatometry
Somatometry Use, Scope and Importance
Introduction to the Instruments
Different landmarks and their locations.
Selected measurements on Head
Maximum head length, Head breadth, Head circumference, Morphological upper facial height,
Physiognomic upper facial height, Nasal height, Nasal breadth, Mouth breadth, Bigonial breadth.
Selected measurements on rest of the body
Height vertex, Sitting height, Height acromion, Height illiocristale, Bi-Illiocristal diameter,
Total arm length, Total leg length, Biacromial diameter, Chest circumference,
Waist circumference, Hip circumference, Upper arm circumference, Weight,
Skin fold thickness, Bicep, Triceps, Sub-scapular.
Calculation of Indices based on the above measurements
Somatoscopy
General Introduction, Use and Scope of Somatoscopy
Students will be trained in studying the morphological features of Skin colour, nose, head hair, Ear on at least 05 subjects and
record the observations in the laboratory notebook.
a) Skin colour: Should be observed in exposed (forehead) and unexposed (inner side of the upper arm) parts in descriptive
terms.
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b) Nose: i) Depression of the nasal root, ii) Height of the nasal bridge, iii) Nasal profile, iv) Tip of the nose, v) inclination of
the septum, and vi) nasal wings (flaring)
c) Head hair: i) Form, ii) Colour, iii) Texture, iv) Quantity, v) Whorl, vi) Hair limit.d) Ear: i) General shape, ii) Prominence of
helix, iv) Darwin’s tubercle, v) Ear lobe size, vi) Earlobe attachment
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:
Theory L/T (%)
Lab/Practical/Studio (%)
Total
75
25
100
Theory Assessment (L&T):
Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment
End Term
Examination
Components (Drop
down)
Class Test 1
Class Test 2
Home Assignment
Attendance
Weightage (%)
5
10
10
5
Lab/ Practical/ Studio Assessment:
Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment
70
End Term Examination
Components
Practical Test Lab record
viva
Attendance
Lab record Practical
(Drop down
Test
10
10
5
5
10
50
Weightage (%)
Text & References:
•
Buetner-Jannusch J.; Physical Anthropology: A Perspective (1973), John Wiley & Co.
•
Foley R.A. & Lewin R.; Principles of Human Evolution, 2nd ed. (2004), Wiley-Blackwell.
•
Boas F.; Race, Language, and Culture (1995), University Of Chicago Press
Viva
10