ANTH 547Anthropological Genetics

Catalog

This course engages students with the broad field of anthropological genetics. Here, we will explore advanced topics in the history and evolution of human and non-human primates, genetic variation and adaptation, and the relationships between genetics, culture, and identity. We will review the basics of human variation using foundational principles from molecular biology and evolutionary theory and push beyond these introductory principles to incorporate state-of-the-art advancements in the novel fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and microbiome research. The course will also examine ethical issues and controversies surrounding genetic research and applications, such as genetic testing, genetic counseling, gene editing, and genetic laboratory methods, such as next-generation sequencing, computational workflows, and phylogenetic analysis using ancient and modern genomic data sets. We will also explore how these results can integrate with other sources of evidence, such as archaeological and linguistic data, to reconstruct the population history of our ancestors. Throughout the course, students will engage in critical analysis of genetic data, develop skills in genetic/genomic analysis, data visualization and interpretation, and scientific writing. By the end of the course students will have a comprehensive understanding of the role of genetics in anthropology and be able to critically evaluate the social and ethical implications of anthropological genetics research.