The central focus of this class is the scientific study of human origins focused on the biological and cultural evolution of the genus Homo. Throughout history, cultural evolution has been a defining feature of the process of biological evolution in humans. This process of evolution in occurs through the interaction of both cultural and biological factors. The term biocultural evolution explains how both biological factors (natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow & mutation) and cultural behaviors (e.g., tool-making, fire, scavenging, symbolic behaviors, etc.) influence human evolution and the way they relate to each other. Some of the examples of biocultural adaptations we have discussed previously include lactose tolerance and sickle-cell anemia allele. For this essay you will apply biocultural evolution to the origins, emergence and development of the evolutionary “family tree” of the genus Homo. Your essay should explicitly answer the following question:
Biocultural evolution is a core concept in the study of human evolution. In light of this, discuss how biology (natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow & mutation) makes culture (e.g., tool-making, fire, scavenging, hunting, symbolic behaviors, farming, etc.) possible and how culture further influences the direction of biological evolution (e.g., bipedalism, encephalization, reduction in tooth size, reduction in digestive system, etc.). What evolutionary advantages were conferred through cultural advancements? How did these cultural advancements impact different hominid populations in the past biologically? Discuss at least three examples of different hominid adaptations in terms of biocultural evolution. I recommend citing specific Homo species linked to their biological evolution and cultural advancements.
Instructions
This is an analytical paper; therefore, you need to clearly address the above question and state your position with evidence. In addressing your position, you are required to draw upon evidence and examples from the lectures, class discussions, readings and videos to support your position.
Write a 600-700 word essay.
Use at least FOUR different sources as listed in the syllabus (e.g., textbook, lecture, assigned readings and films). DO NOT use any outside sources. Cite these in the text of your paper, e.g., (Larsen p.259-258) or (Shipman p.59) or (Lecture, April 22, 2019) or (Nova Becoming Human Part 3). You do NOT need a references cited page.
In-text citations
Place citations in parentheses and include the author’s name and the source’s year of publication, with no intervening punctuation, at the end of a sentence or before a comma or semicolon, whenever possible: (Herzfeld 2005).
Always include page numbers for quotations or extensive paraphrases, using an en dash for page ranges: (Herzfeld 2005, 146–47). (Note: they are preceded by a comma, not a colon; this is a major change from the AAA Style Guide.)
Use semicolons to separate two or more references in a single parenthetical citation and list them alphabetically: (Bessire and Bond 2014; Comaroff 1996; Daser 2014; Foucault 2000).
Do not include “ed.” or “trans.” in citations (and in the case of books that have been reprinted or updated, do not include the original publication year), as this information will be included on the reference list.
Use the first author’s last name and et al. for works with four or more authors.
You may use the following abbreviations: , e.g., and i.e. Do not use ibid., passim, op. cit., and so on. Only very rarely would we use ff., “when referring to a section for which no final number can usefully be given” (CMS 14.156).
