The Venus of Willendorf, carved between 24,000 and 22,000 BC. (Photograph courtesy of Mary Harrsch. Used with permission.)
Instructor(s)
Dr. Harry Merrick
MIT Course Number
3.987
As Taught In
Spring 2006
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This course examines the dynamic interrelations among physical and behavioral traits of humans, environment, and culture to provide an integrated framework for studying human biological evolution and modern diversity. Topics include issues in morphological evolution and adaptation; fossil and cultural evidence for human evolution from earliest times through the Pleistocene; evolution of tool use and social behavior; modern human variation and concepts of race. The class also studies stone artifacts and fossil specimens.