Becoming Human: Anthropology

Impressively, humans are the only creatures produced by evolution that are capable of understanding evolution. In Becoming Human: Anthropology, you can explore how evolution works and how variation arises.

Find out why, of all the orders of life, primates produced us. How did apes start to look like us, walk on two feet and grow big brains that over the past 200,000 years have figured out where we came from? This course will give you some thought-provoking answers.

What will I learn?

• Basic evolutionary concepts
• The traces of human evolution in our bodies
• Darwin’s contributions to evolutionary theory
• The genetic dimensions of human evolution
• The processes of cooperation and symbiosis
• Niche creation, learning, and other types of inheritance
• The differences between men and women
• Why sex is so important to evolution
• The role of our needy babies
• 'Natural’ human sexuality
• What brains are good for
• The cost of having a big brain
• Tools, technology and new evolutionary tricks
• Whether or not human evolution is over

This course requires approximately 2 - 4 hours of study per week, but can vary depending on the student. This includes watching videos, and taking quizzes and assessments.

If you pass this course you'll receive a Certificate of Achievement. While this certificate isn't a formal qualification or credit, you can use it to demonstrate your interest in learning about this area to potential employers or educational institutions.

Where could this lead me?

If you're wondering what your future could look like in this area, here are some potential careers you could head towards.

• Researcher
• Scientist
• Policy Adviser

MODULE 1: INTRODUCING: BECOMING HUMAN     MODULE 2: DARWIN     MODULE 3: SEX     MODULE 4: BRAINS