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James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2022

For subject information from 2025 and onwards, please visit the new JCU Course and Subject Handbook website.

AR2416 - Ancient Ancestors to Digital Devices: Our Evolutionary Journey

Credit points:03
Year:2022
Student Contribution Band:Band 4
Prerequisites:Students must have successfully completed 12 credit points (four subjects) of level 1 study at tertiary level
Administered by:College of Arts, Society & Education (pre 2023 PCS)

Subject Description

    This subject begins with our earliest ancestors in Africa and traces our evolutionary journey to becoming anatomically modern humans. It explores how advances in science and technology, including dating techniques, stable isotopes and modern genomics have assisted in our understanding of evolution. It offers the opportunity to develop an understanding of our complex family tree, to explore the evidence for admixture and migration, and to investigate and evaluate the more enigmatic species.

Learning Outcomes

  • explain how anatomically modern humans evolved over time from earlier hominin species
  • evaluate how and why hominin species are placed into different genera
  • describe the Out of Africa dispersals, migration and admixture
  • critically discuss aspects of the physical, cognitive and cultural processes in hominin evolution

Subject Assessment

  • Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (25%) - Individual
  • Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (50%) - Individual
  • Participation > Online participation - (25%) - Group & Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  AR3009 AR3406 AR2406

Availabilities

Study Period 1, External

Census date:Thursday, 24 Mar 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 21 Feb 2022 to Friday, 17 Jun 2022
Coordinator(s):
DR Anna Willis
Lecturer(s):
DR Anna Willis
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 18 Hours - Other - Online Activities
  • 13 Hours - Online content
Method of delivery:WWW - LearnJCU