Key facts
UNE unit code: ARPA314
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2025
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
This unit introduces you to the 20-million-year story of human evolution. The stage is set in Africa and Asia in the Miocene, and from there you will track key hominin evolution through time and across space, with particular focus on recent findings in Asia and Island Indonesia.
The story culminates with the appearance and spread of 'Homo sapiens' and possible encounters with Neanderthals, Denisovans, and other 'archaic' hominin species. You will examine the science behind the story from the complementary perspectives of hominin biology, as reflected by morphological skeletal changes in bone and emerging data from ancient DNA. You will also explore the archaeological record of hominin behaviour in the context of stone tools and other material remains.
This fascinating unit is ideal for anyone interested in understanding the story of human origins.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are warned that the teaching material may contain images and voices of deceased persons.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- understand and apply scholarly principles and concepts to research problems in human evolution;
- comprehend in broad and comparative terms the archaeology and palaeoanthropology of human evolution;
- critically interpret varying hominin capabilities across time at a variety of scales and research themes, including cognitive evolution and migration histories;
- analyse changes in hominin biology across time in relation to climatic changes and upheavals; and
- demonstrate well-developed research and writing skills in the planning and execution of an essay.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Online Quiz | Yes | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
Assessment 2: Online Quiz | Yes | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
Assessment 3: Online Quiz | Yes | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
Assessment 4: Online Quiz | Yes | 10% | All offerings | No. Words: 500 |
Assessment 5: Essay | Yes | 60% | All offerings | No. Words: 3000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Introduction to Physical Anthropology
ISBN: 9781337099820
Jurmain, R., Kilgore, L., Trevathan, W., Ciochon, R.L. and Bartelink, E., Cengage Learning US 15th ed. 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
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