Born to Run: Evolution of the Human Body

4 credits · Undergraduate credit

Walking and running upright is an essential aspect of being human. In this course, we will attempt to understand both how and why the human body works the way it does, by studying human anatomy and evolution together. We will explore the anatomical basis for activities such as running and walking, grasping and throwing, chewing and digesting, talking and breathing, and sensory perception. The focus will be on the musculoskeletal anatomy of humans and our closest living and fossil relatives. Included in the course will be the reconstruction of the locomotor, dietary and social behavior of extinct relatives, such as Australopithecus and earlier forms of Homo.