James Rilling:: Courses
Anthropology 316: Evolution of Human Brain and Mind
This course is concerned with identifying evolutionary modifications of the human brain that support modern human cognitive and emotional specializations. We will discuss three sources of evidence: 1) the fossil and archeological record, 2) comparisons between human and non-human brains with respect to anatomy, function and development, and 3) comparisons between human and non-human cognition. Special emphasis will be placed on the evolved neural bases of human language, cooperation, morality, social cognition, and pair bonding. As part of the course, students will be expected to learn basic functional anatomy of the human brain, though this is not a course prerequisite.
Anthropology 210: Human Biology: A Life Cycle Approach
Human biology from conception to senescence. Principles of evolution and genetics relevant to the life cycle. Fetal development, maternal and nutritional influences in utero, birth, neonatal neurological status, brain growth in infancy and early childhood, hormonal bases of gender, physical growth, puberty, adolescence, adult sexuality, pregnancy, birth (mother's viewpoint), lactation, health and disease in adulthood, menopause, aging, senescence, death. Comparative examples from other species and other cultures. All aspects of growth and development will be considered, but somewhat greater emphasis will be given to neurological and neuroendocrine functions underlying behavior and reproduction.
Anthropology 201/NBB 200:Foundation of Behavior
This course presents an introduction to evolutionary processes and biological bases of behavior. Lectures and readings will emphasize the interaction of social life, behavior, and cognition. Examples drawn especially from humans and nonhuman primates will be used to place human behavior in the context of that of other species. Topics covered will include: evolutionary mechanisms, adaptation, phylogenetic constraints, neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms of behavior, life history theory, developmental programs, sexual selection and alternative reproductive strategies, social bonds and socialization, and the cognitive bases of social interaction.
Anthropology 317: Human Social Neuroscience
This is an interdisciplinary course that integrates perspectives from anthropology, psychology and neuroscience. A central goal of anthropology is to achieve a better understanding of human social life. Anthropologists are interested, among other things, in learning how human social behavior is similar to and different from the social behavior of other primate species. In this course, we will consider the neural bases of aspects of social behavior and cognition that we share with other primates, as well as aspects that differentiate us from the rest of the primate order. In the process, we will learn about specializations of the human brain that likely evolved in the time since we diverged from our common ancestor with chimpanzees. Given the focus on human cognition and behavior, this course also falls squarely within the domain of psychology.