This course is designed to be taken in conjunction with 'Race' and Human Genetic Variation, and develops the theme of that course. Special attention in tutorials and written work will be given to developing a focus on a specific region or population group. The course is open to pass and intending honours students and the latter are especially encouraged to take it.

By the end of this course, you should be able to

          ·        Formulate with a high degree of independence a specialized question in the field of anthropological genetics and the study of human genetic variation in a defined region, suitable for in-depth investigation via the published scholarly literature

          ·        Conduct independent scholarly literature research in sufficient depth to form a basis for investigating a specialized research question in the field

          ·        Examine published data in depth and draw on such data from a variety of sources to form an independent argument that is comparative, analytical, critical where appropriate, and evaluative, in answer to a self-set question in the field

          ·        Communicate convincingly an original argument in the field with attention to both its logical coherence and its basis in empirical research, both in oral and written forms

          ·        Participate critically and insightfully in the discussion of peers' work in the field

Tutorial work (including oral presentation) (40%), and a 3,000-word essay (60%).

Normally offered in the same semester as BIAN2115.
Attendance in the pre/co-requisite course plus 4-6 hours extra tutorials

Concurrent enrolment in, or previous completion of BIAN2115 'Race' and Human Genetic Variation.

Harrison, G A, Tanner, J M, Pilbeam, D R and Baker, P T, Human Biology, Part II, 3rd edn, Oxford UP, 1988

Cavalli-Sforza, L L & F, The great human diasporas, Reading, Mass., Addison-Wesley, 1995

Jones, S, In the blood, London, HarperCollins, 1996

Ridley, M, Genome, London, HarperCollins, 2000

Wells, S, Journey of Man, London, Penguin, 2003