Students

ANTH1051 – Human Evolution and Diversity

2024 – Session 3, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Greg Downey
greg.downey@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Timothy Lynch
timothy.lynch@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the evolution of our species, what makes humans distinct, and how we have developed the biological, cultural and technological diversity we now see around us. The unit examines new research, highlighting the most recent discoveries and theoretical breakthroughs, encouraging students to learn more about the major debates, key discoveries, and important theories in the study of human evolution. Specifically, the unit provides students with a background in evolutionary theory, genetics, anthropology, paleoarchaeology, and comparative primatology in order to address a number of topics: the development of the human brain; bipedalism; language; families; social life; sexuality; reproduction; hunting; diet; art; stone tools and technology; language; domesticated plants and animals; cities; and the first civilisations. The unit also demonstrates how an evolutionary perspective offers new insights into modern human diversity, including both cultural and biological differences among us. The unit does not require a background in the biological or evolutionary sciences. It provides an excellent foundation for understanding and evaluating important contemporary issues.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain key anthropological concepts and theories in the study of human evolution, including be familiar with the most important debates and new developments in the field.
  • ULO2: Explain how paleoanthropologists conduct research and draw conclusions about extinct species and ways of life from material evidence.
  • ULO3: Evaluate and employ evolution-based explanations for contemporary features of human life, anatomy, and behavior.
  • ULO4: Employ theoretical concepts, evidence, and analysis by specifically exercising these abilities on the materials covered in this unit.
  • ULO5: Discuss and examine material related to human evolution (such as facsimile remains, site surveys, and material culture).
  • ULO6: Analyse and express judgement about significant debates in the study of human evolution.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Argument outline 25% No 0025-12-19
Literature review 20% No 2025-01-03
Discussion questions 10% No Weekly
Weekly online quizzes 20% No Starts 9 December, weekly
Final online exam 25% No 20-24 January, 2025

Argument outline

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 0025-12-19
Weighting: 25%

 

The argument outline consists of an introduction (approximately one page), an outline of evidence and how the argument would be structured (citing the sources), conclusion which discusses the implications, reservations and importance of the argument and a 'references cited' list (only articles cited in the outline). The whole document should be less than four pages.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key anthropological concepts and theories in the study of human evolution, including be familiar with the most important debates and new developments in the field.
  • Explain how paleoanthropologists conduct research and draw conclusions about extinct species and ways of life from material evidence.
  • Evaluate and employ evolution-based explanations for contemporary features of human life, anatomy, and behavior.
  • Employ theoretical concepts, evidence, and analysis by specifically exercising these abilities on the materials covered in this unit.
  • Analyse and express judgement about significant debates in the study of human evolution.

Literature review

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 2025-01-03
Weighting: 20%

 

The literature review is a library-based assignment that can be conducted online, especially using the Macquarie University Library’s extensive database and journal collection. Students find a recent article in a scientific journal, referred to as the 'target article' (peer reviewed and published in the last five years). They find five additional sources linked to this article, either because they are cited in the target article's References or because they cite the target article (or in the References of one of the articles CITING the target article). Students write short (<200 word descriptions of each articles).

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key anthropological concepts and theories in the study of human evolution, including be familiar with the most important debates and new developments in the field.
  • Explain how paleoanthropologists conduct research and draw conclusions about extinct species and ways of life from material evidence.
  • Employ theoretical concepts, evidence, and analysis by specifically exercising these abilities on the materials covered in this unit.
  • Analyse and express judgement about significant debates in the study of human evolution.

Discussion questions

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

 

Each week, students will be set a series of tasks, including a participatory task depending upon the material for that week.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Discuss and examine material related to human evolution (such as facsimile remains, site surveys, and material culture).
  • Analyse and express judgement about significant debates in the study of human evolution.

Weekly online quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Starts 9 December, weekly
Weighting: 20%

 

Starting in Week 2, students will be expected to take a weekly quiz online based on the unit content. The quiz will close in the following week.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key anthropological concepts and theories in the study of human evolution, including be familiar with the most important debates and new developments in the field.
  • Explain how paleoanthropologists conduct research and draw conclusions about extinct species and ways of life from material evidence.
  • Evaluate and employ evolution-based explanations for contemporary features of human life, anatomy, and behavior.
  • Employ theoretical concepts, evidence, and analysis by specifically exercising these abilities on the materials covered in this unit.

Final online exam

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: 20-24 January, 2025
Weighting: 25%

 

The final exam is cumulative and multiple choice, conducted online during the exam period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain key anthropological concepts and theories in the study of human evolution, including be familiar with the most important debates and new developments in the field.
  • Explain how paleoanthropologists conduct research and draw conclusions about extinct species and ways of life from material evidence.
  • Evaluate and employ evolution-based explanations for contemporary features of human life, anatomy, and behavior.
  • Employ theoretical concepts, evidence, and analysis by specifically exercising these abilities on the materials covered in this unit.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

All readings are available through Leganto.

All course materials are available through the iLearn unit for the course. Please see iLearn for all the important information. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

The unit is mostly similar to the version run in 2023-4 during Semester 3.

Unit information based on version 2024.01 of the Handbook