Fall
semester, 2010: ANTH420/570
(BIO402/502)
Hunter-Gatherer
Ecology and Macroecology
Instructor:
Marcus J. Hamilton, UNM/SFI
The
fundamentals of human ecology emerged from
our long evolutionary history as hunter-gatherers. As hunter-gatherers,
the
human species colonized the vast majority of the planet in as little as
1,000
generations, and diversified widely to exploit a all kinds of
terrestrial and
marine environments, from the deserts of interior Australia to the
subarctic forests
of Eurasia. In this
class we will explore
hunter-gatherer macroecology; the broad-scale ecology, evolution and
biogeographic diversity of hunter-gatherer societies. The class will
emphasize the
ecological role of hunter-gatherer societies within ecosystems and
biogeographic
patterns of biocultural diversity that emerge at regional and global
scales. The
class will introduce students to data-driven, quantitative research
techniques
in comparative human ecology across individuals, populations,
societies, and species,
and will cover topics including terrestrial ecosystem ecology, human
life
history, population dynamics, home range size, foraging, mobility,
group size, social
organization, and technological evolution, illustrated with
archaeological and
ethnographic case studies. This class will be of interest to
archaeologists,
behavioral ecologists, evolutionary anthropologists, and anyone
interested in the
fundamental ecology and evolution of human societies.
This
will be an advanced seminar class, and grading will be based on
readings, class
participation, and group projects. A previous class in statistics is
required (Data
Analysis I, or equivalent), and classes in hunter-gatherers, life
history theory,
biogeography, and/or behavioral ecology would be helpful but not
required.
Chapin,
F.S., P.A. Matson, and H.A. Mooney. 2002. Principles
of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. New York, Springer.
Kelly,
R. L. 1995 The Foraging Spectrum: Diversity
in Hunter-Gatherer Lifeways.
Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Information
contained in this document is © copyright Marcus J. Hamilton, 2010. All
rights reserved.
Page
designed and maintained by Marcus
J. Hamilton