Course: Biological Anthropology I

« Back
Course title Biological Anthropology I
Course code KSA/BIAN1
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 1
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Topinka Daniel, doc. PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to biological anthropology - man as he/she is seen through the eyes of a biological anthropologist. 2. Current biological anthropology and its prospects. The methods used in biological anthropology. 3. Integral approach to the study of man, or why (each) anthropology should be integral. 4. Window into the history of biological anthropology and medicine. 5. The substantial and interesting in the human phylogeny. 6. Cytology, molecular biology and genetics through the eyes of an anthropologist. 7. Somatology of selected organ systems (body fluids, cardiovascular system, respiratory system).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Methods of Written Work, Projection (static, dynamic)
  • Attendace - 28 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 12 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The central theme of the course is a complex of a human as an individual entity, with biological, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual aspects, which are interacting. Attention is paid to the research of physiological, biochemical, genetic and environmental factors that affect the variability and the morphology of the human body. The focus is therefore on the role of heredity, natural selection and the external environment on the variability of the organism in the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of man. The course provides basic information about the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of a particular person. It provides key information about the structure and function of the human body and methods used in biological anthropology. It introduces students to the fundamentals of cytology, molecular biology and human genetics.
After completing the course, the student will be familiar with the basic terminology of biological anthropology and with the classification of biology in anthropological sciences. The student will also: - master the history of biological anthropology, the fundamentals of cytology, molecular biology and genetics, the fundamentals of human ontogeny and phylogeny, - acquire sufficient information about the structure and functions of human body, - understand the application of knowledge of biological anthropology in medicine, forensics and industry, - know the methodology basics of biological anthropology.
Prerequisites
No prior requirements.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Dialog, Seminar Work

Dealing with foreign literature in a selected foreign language and its use in a seminar paper. Successful completion of the course is conditional on submitting and defending a seminar paper on an assigned topic (including quotations from a minimum of five relevant study resources, of which at least one must be in a world language). The defence of the seminar paper will be a part of the colloquium.
Recommended literature
  • Odborné tuzemské i zahraniční časopisy k tématice biologické antropologie (Česká antropologie; American Journal of Human Biology; Annals of Human Biology; American Journal of Physical Antropology; Homo; Journal of Human Evolution)..
  • Cichá, M. (2011). Biologická antropologie: studijní opora. Olomouc: Hanex.
  • Cichá, M. (2014). Integrální antropologie. Praha: Triton.
  • Dawkins, R., Kopský, V., & Zrzavý, J. (1998). Sobecký gen. Praha: Mladá fronta.
  • Fialová, L., Kouba, P., & Špaček, M. (2008). Medicína v kontextu západního myšlení. Praha: Galén.
  • Flegr, J. (2009). Evoluční biologie. Praha: Academia.
  • Fouts, R., Mills, S. T., & Jindrová, A. (2000). Nejbližší příbuzní: co jsem se od šimpanzů dozvěděl o nás. Praha: Mladá fronta.
  • Gould, S. J., & Markoš, A. (1998). Jak neměřit člověka: pravda a předsudky v dějinách hodnocení lidské inteligence. Praha: NLN.
  • Le Breton, D. Anthropologie du corp et modernité. Paris: Éditions Presses Universitaires de France, 2005. ISBN 978-2130552475.
  • Le Breton, D. (2002). Signes ďidentité: tatouages, piercings et autres marques corporelles. Paris: Métailié.
  • Merkunová, A., Orel, M., & Svoboda, J. (2008). Anatomie a fyziologie člověka pro humanitní obory. Praha: Grada Publishing.
  • Rak, R., Matyáš, V., & Říha, Z. (2008). Biometrie a identita člověka ve forenzních a komerčních aplikacích. Praha: Grada.
  • Riegerová, J., Přidalová, M., & Ulbrichová, M. (2006). Aplikace fyzické antropologie v tělesné výchově a sportu: (příručka funkční antropologie). Olomouc: Hanex.
  • Soukup, M. (2011). Kultura: biokulturologická perspektiva. Červený Kostelec: Pavel Mervart.
  • Soukup, V. (2004). Dějiny antropologie. Praha: Karolinum.
  • Šmarda, J., Bahbouh, R., Orel, M., Svoboda, M., & Šmahel, Z. Biologie pro psychology a pedagogy.
  • Vančata, V. (2003). Paleoantropologie - přehled fylogeneze člověka a jeho předků. Brno, CERM.
  • Wright, R., & Hradilek, A. (2002). Morální zvíře: proč jsme to, co jsme. Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Cultural Anthropology (2017) Category: Philosophy, theology 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Cultural Anthropology (2017) Category: Philosophy, theology 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: -