Darwinian Medicine

3 units

This course explores the fundamental relationship of evolutionary theory to the art and science of medicine, broadly defined. By considering human health and disease from an evolutionary perspective, modern medicine is gaining new insights into why diseases occur, and how the human body is adapted to respond to them. Readings and lectures emphasize the impact of evolutionary causes rather than proximate causes of disease. This course will introduce evolutionary perspectives on aspects of disease, while considering other aspects of common diseases including social, political, and cultural aspects of human health and illness. Students will gain a deeper appreciation about human health, and acquire information that may also help to make critical health care decisions. Prerequisites: Anthro 150 and Anthro 160, or permission of instructor.