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所在平台: EdxArchive 课程类别: 其他类别 大学或机构: WellesleyX（韦尔斯利大学） 授课老师： Adam Van Arsdale |
课程主页: https://www.edx.org/archive/introduction-human-evolution-wellesleyx-anth207x-0
课程评论：没有评论
Want to know more about where humans come from? 207x introduces human evolutionary history through the human fossil, archaeological and genetic records.
As contemporary humans, we are a product of our evolutionary past. That past can be directly observed through the study of the human fossil record, the materials preserved for archaeological study, and the DNA of living and extinct human populations. This course will provide an overview of human evolutionary history from the present--contemporary human variation in a comparative context--through our last common ancestor with the living great apes, some 5-7 million years in the past. Emphasis will be placed on major evolutionary changes in the development of humans and the methodological approaches used by paleoanthropologists and related investigators to develop that knowledge. The course will begin by asking basic questions about how evolution operates to shape biological variation and what patterns of variation look like in living humans and apes. We will then look at how the human lineage first began to differentiate from apes, the rise and fall of the Australopithecines, the origin and dispersal of the genus Homo, and eventually the radical evolutionary changes associated with the development of agricultural practices in the past 15,000 years. Throughout the course students will be exposed to the primary data, places and theories that shape our understanding of human evolution.
FAQ
What do I need to know about the topic prior to enrolling in this course?
Nothing. This course is intended as an introduction to human evolution and the only experience you need in advance is the experience of being human.
If I have prior experience with this subject, will the course be useful?
Yes! While the course is introductory in nature, many of the questions presented for discussion represent active areas of research and debate within the field. This course will not only provide you with Prof. Van Arsdale’s perspective on these issues, but also the views and ideas of the thousands of other peers who will be taking the course.
What do I have to buy in order to participate in the course?
Nothing. All edX courses are free. The lectures, virtual labs, explorations and course readings are all available online.
Will certificates be awarded?
Yes. Online learners who achieve a passing grade in a course can earn a certificate of achievement. These certificates will indicate you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific grade. Certificates will be issued by edX under the name of WellesleyX, designating the institution from which the course originated.
When can I watch the lectures?
After the release of the learning sequences for the week, you can watch the lectures at any time.
Can I register to the class after the start date has passed?
Yes, you can register at any time between the start date and the end date. To obtain the certificate, however, you will have to get at least 60% of the total available points for the class.
Other questions
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