hum1thj the human journey
THE HUMAN JOURNEY
HUM1THJ
Not currently offered
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Philosophical and religious discussion of humanity's origins has a history that can be traced back to the Enlightenment and to Ancient Greek and Roman texts. In the middle of the nineteenth century these discourses were confronted by both a material record of the past and a newly developed methodology for generating information from it. This inter-disciplinary subject explores the stories we tell about our origins with a particular focus on how we reconcile intuitively plausible accounts of our past with the rigours of scientific methodology. In doing so, it focuses on three major events in the human journey: the origin of the first true Homo ancestor approximately 2 million years ago in Africa; second, the Neanderthals of 'Ice Age' Europe; and third, the origin of modern humans some 150,000 years ago in Africa. It will explore the way these events are discussed in literature, film, archaeology and palaeontology.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorNicola Stern
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites None
Co-requisites None
Incompatible subjects None
Equivalent subjects None
Special conditions None
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Write a medium length essay using the Harvard referencing system that demonstrates an understanding of the key data, methods and theories that support an account of one of the three ancestors under discussion.
- Activities:
- Prepare an essay with an appropriate logical structure, appropriate organization of ideas, expressed ideas, supported by appropriate referencing.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Communication and speaking skills, developing and expressing an argument clearly, convincingly, and with the use of appropriate evidence.
- Activities:
- Participation in discussion and debate in the tutorials.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Study and Learning Skills)
03. Carry out independent research by locating relevant sources.
- Activities:
- Weekly assignments, research for the essay.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Study and Learning Skills)
04. Identify differences between data sets that are derivative and those from primary sources and identifying the data that support specific inferences.
- Activities:
- Write a medium length essay that shows the ability to think clearly and evaluate a range of explanations for the account of one of the three ancestors under discussion and to identify the evidence that support particular patterns.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
05. Investigate the data that supports different theories of human behavioural evolution and their representation in different media.
- Activities:
- In the essay, develop arguments about one of the major events in the human journey under discussion and how it is presented in other media.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
06. Apply skills in inquiry/research, critical thinking and creative problem solving to changing theories of human evolution.
- Activities:
- Present an essay in which a sound argument is presented, developed and supported. Take a 1 hour examination where knowledge gained throughout the semester can be applied to answering multiple choice, matching questions and short answer questions.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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