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Overview

‘The Human Journey’ looks at the origins and evolutionary paths of humans, from our earliest potential ancestors 7 million years ago, to the first occurrence of own species around 300,000 years ago. To do this we examine the fossil, archaeological and behavioural records of our ancestors as well as looking … For more content click the Read more button below. Taught by La Trobe researchers working at key palaeoanthopological and archaeological sites such as Drimolen and Amanzi Springs in South Africa, the subject presents upon their active fieldwork and research within a historical context to understand our evolution, and to explore how views of our human ancestry have changed through time - highlighting the shared ancestry of all humans alive today and the epic journey that our ancestors took to becoming us.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

Subject coordinator

Andy Herries

Subject type

Undergraduate

Year level

Year Level 1 - UG

AQF level

Level 5 - Diploma

Available as elective

Yes

Available to study abroad / exchange students

Yes

Capstone subject

No

Academic progress review - Schedule A subject

No

Subject instances

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Career ready

Work based learning (placement):No

Graduate capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

Subject intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:
1.
Appreciate how our understanding of human evolution has changed through time by understanding the history of fossil and archaeological discoveries
2.
Be able to evaluate alternative accounts of human origins and assess the significance of new archaeological and fossil discoveries as they are announced
3.
Identify the primary scientific methods that influence our understanding of key events in human evolution with a focus upon archaeological and fossil case studies
4.
Discuss what it means to be human through an understanding the behavioural and cognitive evolution of our ancestors.
5.
Appreciate the sensitivities surrounding discussions of our human origins and the importance of understanding our shared ancestry in the modern world.

Learning activities

Online lectures and quizzes, podcast/video, site report & practical classes 

Enrolment rules

Special conditions

Requisite rules

Requisites

Incompatible