UE715 - Introduction to evolutionary anthropology [SOCSCI 101]

Intervenant·e·s

• Nicolas Baumard [référent·e]   chargé de recherche, CNRS / Institut Jean-Nicod (IJN)
• Jean-Baptiste André   directeur de recherche, CNRS / Institut Jean-Nicod (IJN)

This course aims to present the main concepts and tools needed to study human behavior and human societies in evolutionary terms. Students will understand the major mechanisms of evolution and become familiar with the methods of evolutionary biology. A wide variety of examples from the animal world will be used to understand the general logic of evolutionary thinking and be able to apply it to the human species. The course will focus on the social domain, but also will address issues such as sex, learning or cultural differences. 

Ce cours a pour objectif de présenter les principaux concepts et outils nécessaires pour étudier le comportement humain et les sociétés en termes évolutionnaires. Les étudiants comprendront les grands mécanismes de l’évolution et se familiariseront avec les méthodes de la biologie évolutionnaire. Une grande diversité d’exemples tirés du monde animal seront utilisés afin de comprendre la logique générale de l’approche et être capable de l’appliquer à l’espèce humaine. Le cours se concentrera sur la vie sociale, mais abordera aussi des questions tels que le sexe, l’apprentissage ou les différences culturelles.

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the key mechanisms of evolution (mutation, variability, heritability, genetic drift, natural selection)

• Master the major concepts of social evolution theory (evolutionarily stable strategy, cooperation, altruism, mutualism, kin selection, reciprocity, signalling, life history, phenotypic plasticity)

• Think like an evolutionary biologist, that is be able to understand human social cognition through the lens of evolution

• Know the specific properties of the human life history strategy (long life span, intense parental care, sociality, etc.), and be able to compare this strategy with that of other animal species