Molecular, Behavioral and Social Evolution: Darwin's Theories Between Science and Culture

Catalog description

This course examines Darwin's theories of natural selection and evolution through lenses in scientific and humanistic disciplines. It covers biological evolution, evolution of behavior in animals and humans, and the evolution of complex social behaviors and societies. The course also introduces students to thinkers that influenced Darwin, including economist Thomas Malthus and geologist Charles Lyell, and to Darwin's influence on later thinkers from political theorist Karl Marx to historian Yuval Noah Harari. Discussions will be grounded in scientific case-studies while also considering the impact of these theories on representations of gender, race and nature in popular culture, film and media. 001256