This course provides an introduction to biological anthropology through an overview of human evolution, adaptation, and physical variation. Human evolution will be approached through the current evidence from studies of fossil and modern primates. Human adaptation will be treated by looking at biological and behavioural responses to environmental stresses in living and archaeological populations. Other topics of discussion will include the history and principles of evolutionary theory, the techniques used to reconstruct the appearance and behaviour of past populations from excavated remains, and human skeletal anatomy.

This general introduction course to anthropology presents central concepts and key issues in the four main subfields—archaeology and biological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology. Topics include evolutionary theory, human evolution and diversity, culture change, social organization, and symbolic systems. Students will explore broadly the question of what it means to be human.

The anthropological study of language and communication. A brief survey of field and analytical methods and theory of linguistic anthropology.

A cross-cultural study through time of the beliefs and social activities associate with health, illness, and healing.