Anthropology

This Physical Anthropology course introduces students to the main topics involved in studying humankind from a biological and biocultural perspective, with particular attention to human evolution, research methodologies, and the analysis of archaeological and museum contexts. The course is divided into three modules, aiming to provide an overview that includes the history of anthropological thought, the tools of physical anthropology, and applications related to the reconstruction and interpretation of human remains and contexts.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the history and fundamental theories of anthropology to grasp the evolution of scientific thought on humans.
2. Gain familiarity with the discipline's vocabulary and areas of application in physical anthropology: osteological, biomolecular, forensic, and museological analyses.
3. Comprehend how historical and social contexts are reconstructed using human remains, archaeological data, and other scientific documentation.
4. Critically assess the ethical impact of bioanthropological research and its implications for public dissemination.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
· Understand the historical and theoretical foundations of anthropology (physical and biocultural).
· Establish connections between biological data, archaeological contexts, and socio-cultural interpretations.
· Critically reflect on ethical concerns and dissemination practices in the study of human remains.
· Collaborate in interdisciplinary research projects, applying anthropological methods to real-world cases.