HUMAN EVOLUTION

Who We Are and How We Got That Way

Donald L. Wolberg, Ph.D.

This is a course about a unique group of animals.

This is a course about that animal’s origins and adaptations.

This is a course about a group of animals that has viewed itself as being one step from the divine and different from all other living things on this planet.

This is a course about a group of animals that developed technology and communication and has reached out toexplore other worlds but has also developed the capacityto destroy its own world and itself.

This course is about us, human kind, people.

The fact that an animal species is able to describe itself in such terms, as well as contemplate its origins, relationships to other living things, is absolutely unique in the 4.5 billion year history of this planet and the solar system of which it

is a part.

Indeed, in so far as we know, ours is the only organism ever to consider the origin and fate of the universe.

Pompous as the course title may seem, in the brief timewe have together, we will explore no less a topic than

HUMAN EVOLUTION

The course will consist of a series of illustrated lectures(each of which will be brilliantly presented)

There is no required textbook but readings will be assignedand sent to each of you to read and understand

There will be two major tests, a Midterm and a Final, each “a do at home”, and a brief paper with topics to be provided. The Midterm and Final are each worth 30 points, the paper 20 points

Additionally, there will be an occasional whimsical exercise,in sum worth another 20 points

Your instructor for this course is the one With the smaller teeth

SOME BASICS

The Very, Very Big and Very, Very Small

Humans are PRIMATES

Five toes on each footFive fingers on each handFlat fingernails and toenails; not clawsOpposable thumbs for grasping and manipulationLarge, forward facing eyesColor visionSociability and likely to live in groups

OURS IS A TERTIARY HISTORY