Anthropology 394EI - Evolutional Medicine

In this course we will explore the emerging field of Evolutionary Medicine which seeks to provide evolutionary answers to why humans are vulnerable to certain diseases or conditions. Topics to be examined include human anatomy from an evolutionary perspective, "evolutionary obstetrics", host-pathogen relationships in the evolution of infectious disease, human nutritional needs, the evolutionary context of cancer, and psychiatric conditions. Along the way we will be making comparisons across species, across populations, and between the approaches of evolutionary and clinical medicine. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Anth majors.

Open to senior Anthropology majors only. Others must seek the permission of instructor to enroll.