Admission requirements
This course is part of the minor Human Evolution and registration is restricted to students who are enrolled in this minor and followed the preceding courses.
Description
This course addresses a series of traits that characterize all modern humans, such as the presence of culture, language and music, and what is known about their origins and evolution. We start with a comparison of the variation in behaviour and cognitive skills of different primate species. We explore how variation in behaviour and mental abilities may be shaped by phylogenetic descent and convergence under influence of selection. This will include observations and practical assignments on the behaviour of primates (zoo) and a visit to the Museum of Volkenkunde.
We then continue to consider existing, as well as past, diversity in several traits across human cultures. We examine differences in mating systems, between hunters gatherers and agricultural societies, and within language. The perspectives on the variety of traits are provided by comparative biology, archeology, anthropology and others.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge about primate evolution, morphology, diversity and behaviour.
2. Demonstrate knowledge about how human morphology, brain, cognitive abilities and behaviour relate to that of non-human primates and other animals.
3. Apply their knowledge on variability in primate diversity in species and their (social and reproductive) behaviour.
4. Implement their knowledge of systematic observations and analyses on primate behaviour.
5.Explain the evolutionary background and adaptiveness of the variation in behaviour between different cultures of both the ancestors of modern humans and modern humans.
6. Understand the different theories on how language and speech evolved.
7. Classify and present theories relating to the origin of ancient and modern variation in human cultures and behaviour.
8. Describe the similarities and differences between biological and cultural evolution and their interaction.
9. Discuss the possible origins of several universally shared human traits and their variation.
Timetable
A detailed timetable will be published on Brightspace.
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
Lectures and practicals, including two excursions. Also, reading textbook and primary literature. Selfstudy.
Assessment method
Exam (multiple choice & essay questions) for testing theory (70%), one presentation (15%), one debate (15%).
Minimum grade:
Courses require a minimum, unrounded 5.5 grade to complete.
If a course has 2 or more written partial exams, the minimum grade only applies to the weighted average of the exams.
For partial grades from components other than exams (e.g. practicals, seminars, writing assignments), the bottom grade does apply to the individual components.
Please refer to the Student Charter for an overview of regulations.
Reading list
Compulsory book: R. Boyd & J.B. Silk; How Humans Evolved, 8th edition, 2018; Norton Publishers.
Note: earlier editions as well as the 9th edition, loose leaf edition, and e-book are also acceptable.
Primary literature t.b.a.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contact
Coordinators: Dr. J.M. Varkevisser & Dr. M.J. Spierings
Email: j.m.varkevisser@biology.leidenuniv.nl & m.j.spierings@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Brightspace will be used for communication.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.