ANTH49115: Advanced Studies in Palaeoanthropology and Palaeoecology

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• To introduce the fundamentals of mammalian palaeoecology
• To explore how palaeoecological theory and observations of modern animal morphology and behaviour can be applied to the fossil record as it relates to hominin evolution
• To provide students with a set of critical methods and tools for reconstructing the ecology and environments of Pliocene and Pleistocene hominins

• The module will present the theory that underlies the discipline of mammalian palaeoecology and teach students how to apply it to the hominin and non-hominin mammalian fossil record.
• The module will focus largely on the fossil record of the Pliocene and Pleistocene of Africa, but may also cover other time periods and geographical regions where appropriate.
• Topics that may be covered include: mammalian morphology and ecological behaviour, the exploitation of niches, mammal community analysis, ecomorphology and functional morphology, hominin palaeoenvironments, hominin evolution and climate change, and hominin ecological behaviours.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate advanced levels of current knowledge of and debates in palaeoecology and palaeoanthropology.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of palaeoecological and palaeoanthropological theory and how these are applied to the fosil record.
• Demonstrate competence in accessing and assimilating specialised research literature of an advanced nature.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Apply in-depth knowledge of relevant theory and knowledge, with emphasis on interpretation and comprehensive understanding of primary and secondary data.
• Deploy analytical skills specific to studies of mammalian palaeoecology and hominin evolution.

Key Skills:

• Preparation and effective communication of research methods, data, interpretation and arguments in written form.

• Sessions will integrate lecture, discussion, and practical components.
• Lecture elements provide students with an outline of key knowledge and debates in the topic area, and provide relevant examples and cases studies.
• Practical elements will develop further critical knowledge of weekly topics and material covered in the required readings, allowing students to discuss literature, pose questions and answer questions for others. This will assist in preparing students for their summative assignment. Practical components will also provide students with hands-on experience of the research and relevant methods.
• The advanced discussion class will allow students to develop their skills of critical thinking and evaluation, as well as how to synthesise and interrogate material at a level commensurate with postgraduate attainment.
• Student preparation and reading time will allow engagement with specific references in advance of lectures/seminars including those that can be used for the assessment.
• Summative assessment will partly consist of a 2,500 word written piece of work.
• The additional summative assessmetn is a critical reading log, which is an annotated bibliography in which the evidence and arguments presented in readings selected by the student and relevant to the development of their summative assessment are evaluated and critiqued. This along with the other summative component should show evidence of a higher level of engagement expected at postgraduate level.

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