This course explores the evolutionary history, sequence of events, and current debates in human evolution, concentrating on biocultural changes in the human lineage. We will examine geologic time, the fossil record, and evolutionary theory. Mammalian, primate, and human evolutionary history will then be investigated using comparative anatomy and physiology. We will explore major trends in human evolutionary history such as the advent of bipedalism, growth and development, the reduction of the size of the dentition, encephalization, and technological innovations. Lastly, we will look at modern human anatomy, genetics, and variation.
Human Evolution (ANTH 373) is an upper-division anthropology course and may be used concurrently with the Capstone Seminar (ANTH 493).
Prerequisite
ANTH 120 (Human Origins and Variation) or BZ 110 (Principles of Animal Biology)
Textbooks and Materials
Section 801
Required
- The Human Lineage, 2nd Ed. (2022)
Matt Cartmill, Fred H. Smith
ISBN: 978-1-119-08687-1
Optional
- Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction
Lewin, Roger
ISBN: 978-1405103787 - The Complete World of Human Evolution
Stringer, Chris and Andrews, Peter
ISBN: 978-0500288986
Textbooks and materials can be purchased at the CSU Bookstore unless otherwise indicated.
Instructors
Katie Horton
katie.horton@colostate.edu
Katie Horton is an instructor and PhD student in the Department of Anthropology and Geography at Colorado State University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from CSU in biology with a concentration in genetics, systematics, and evolution. In 2014, Katie completed a Master of Arts degree from CSU in biological anthropology. Her research interests focus on the impact of paleoclimate oscillation on hominin occupation in Late Pleistocene Central Asia. In collaboration with Kazakh and CSU colleagues, her research has encompassed paleoanthropology, pedology, biogeography, and ecology. The research has utilized archaeological site information, GIS, climate datasets, spatial statistical modeling, and various soil analyses such as carbon and nitrogen content, mineralogy, carbon isotope signatures, and pH. In addition, Katie has worked on other archaeology projects in Colorado and Kazakhstan, researched fire history in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, investigated forest regeneration after significant disturbances in Rocky Mountain National Park and Routt National Park, and completed a livelihoods project with The Nature Conservancy in Colorado.
