Human Nature:  Biological and Cultural Perspectives (Anthropology 101-6-22)
What does it mean to be human? Why do we kill? Why do we nurture? Are patterns of human behavior learned, or are they innate? Is there such a thing as a universal human nature? This discussion-based seminar will draw on works of philosophy, literature, social science, and biological science to address these and other questions regarding the "nature" of being human. Anthropology is unique among disciplines in that it studies human origins and human diversity from a range of social, cultural, and biological perspectives. This course will reflect this range in its attempt to use cross-cultural and evolutionary tools to construct a more complete understanding of what it means to be human.

Evolutionary Medicine (Anthropology 101-6-23)
Humans display great variation in many aspects of their biology, particularly in terms of physical growth and development, nutrition, and disease patterns. These differences are produced by both current ecological and environmental factors as well as by underlying genetic differences shaped by our evolutionary past. It appears that many diseases of modern society, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and various cancers, have resulted from change to a lifestyle that is quite different from that of our ancestors. These diseases thus reflect an "imbalance" between modern life conditions and those which shaped most of our evolutionary history. This course will explore dimensions of variation in health and disase pattern among humans. We will first review key concepts in evolutionary biology and their application to human evolution. We will then examine the specific bio-cultural and evolutionary models for explaining variation in specific human diseases.

Human Origins (Anthropology 213-0)
This course will examine the evolution of the human species and explore the nature of human biological variation in the modern world. Principles of evolutionary theory and genetics will first be presented to provide a framework for the study of human evolutionary biology. The fossil evidence for human evolution will then be considered using comparative data from non-human primate ecology to help reconstruct prehistoric lifeways. Additionally, the influence of environmental stressors (e.g., climate, nutrition and disease) on modern human biological variation will be discussed. The course will also provide students with an opportunity to see how different types of evolutionary research are conducted. Through a series of tutorial sessions, students will work in small groups with a researcher who is studying an evolutionary question.

Evolution of Life Histories (Anthropology 306-0)
This course introduces life history theory as an integrated framework for understanding the biological processes underlying the human life cycle and its evolution. After constructing a solid foundation in life history theory and the comparative method, the class will address the questions such as: Why do humans grow and develop much more slowly than other primate species? Why do we have so few offspring? What is the significance of puberty? What is the function of menopause? In-depth analysis of several case studies will allow the class to examine in detail the utility of life history theory for explaining aspects of human development and behavior.

Human Population Biology (Anthropology 312-0)
This course will provide an overview of current theory and methods in human population biology. The course will specifically focus on the influence of ecological and social factors on various aspects of human biology (e.g., metabolic rate, activity, energy balance, physical nutritional status, and physiological working capacity). Ecological models for examining the links between culture, environment and biology will first be presented. Then, the conceptual and methodological aspects of monitoring the biology and health of human populations will be considered. Specific topics to be discussed will include the assessment of 1) dietary intake, 2) nutrient and energy balance, 3) anthropometric measures of growth and nutritional status, 4)metabolic rate and activity patterns, 5) physical working capacity, and 6) general and reproductive health. For each topic, selected recent studies will be presented to show how alternative methods are used to address aspects of human ecology and adaptability.

Human Growth and Development (Anthropology 314-0)
Human development, by its very nature, is a biocultural process that demands an integrated, synthetic analysis. Development is not simply a matter of biological unfolding; rather, it is a process that is designed to be in tune with the surrounding environment within which the organism develops. This is especially true for social creatures such as humans. This course will explore findings and concepts from evolutionary ecology, developmental biology, human biology, developmental psychology, and cultural anthropology in an attempt to construct a more integrated view of human growth and development as a product of both biological and socio-ecological processes. After constructing a conceptual framework, the course will follow the trajectory of human growth and development from conception through puberty. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate the relevant biological, cultural, and social issues.

Medical Anthropology (Anthropology 315)

International Public Health (Anthropology 390/Public Health 390)
This course provides an introduction to key issues in contemporary international health with a focus on the developing world.  Students will be presented with the skills and sensitivities necessary for understanding the nature of health and sickness in resource-poor settings.  We will explore the continuum between health and sickness and investigate the role of local, national, and global factors in contributing to health and well-being.  Students will learn about the major players in international health--the multilateral and bilateral donor communities, ministries of health, UN agencies--and understand the major shifts in donor policies towards healthcare delivery as promulgated at Alma Ata, Mexico City, Cairo, and Beijing.  They will be introduced to the major health problems currently impacting the developing world, and alerted to the importance of employing a population-based vs. clinical approache to solving these health problems.

Methods in Human Biology Research (Anthropology 386)
Biological anthropologists endeavor to understand human evolutionary origins and the global range of human biological variation, and human biologists in particular are interested in investigating the effects of culture and ecology on human adaptation, development, and health.  This course will provide an overview of the logic and method underlying empirical research in human biology.  The course will introduce students to the scientific method, as well as the process of research design, data analysis, and interpretation.  The course emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience with a range of methods for assessing human nutritional status, physical activity, growth, cardiovascular health, endocrine activity, and immune function.

Logic of Inquiry in Anthropology : Biological Anthropology (Anthropology 401-1)
This course will provide an overview of key theories and concepts in biological anthropology. Specific attention will be given to how biological anthropology articulates with the other subdisciplines of anthropology. General principles from evolutionary biology will first be discussed, examining how they can be applied to look at human biological and behavioral variation. Alternative approaches for explaining human variation are then explored and considered within a historical context. Third, we will examine the material (i.e., fossil) evidence for human evolution, focusing on the interplay between biological and cultural/behavioral evolutionary trends. Finally, we will examine how several aspects of modern human variation (eg., growth, nutritional status, morbidity and mortality) are shaped by the interplay between genetic, ecological and sociocultural factors. Throughout, we will highlight the utility of the bio-cultural framework for explaining human diversity.

Seminar in Biological Anthropology (Anthropology 424)
Seminar participants will present and discuss current topics in biological anthropology, including graduate student and faculty research interests, new literature, and reports on current meetings.