The Rise of Humans: Great Scientific Debates

De: John Hawks, The Great Courses

Narrado por: John Hawks

Trying to understand our human origins has always been a fundamental part of who we are. Today, with the help of dramatic archaeological discoveries and groundbreaking advancements in technology and scientific understanding, we are closer than we've ever been to learning the true story. In recent decades, it has been the science of paleoanthropology that has led the investigation, helping us make sense of this controversial subject and providing us with a richer understanding of our origins. It's also sparked continued debate about key issues in human evolution.

• Did early humans evolve in Africa alone, or in regions throughout the world?
• Did Neandertals play an important role in our genetic heritage and, if so, how?
• Why did prehistoric humans form cooperative communities and create art?

Now you can complete your own understanding of these issues in a fascinating 24-lecture series from an expert paleoanthropologist, who surveys both the questions that continue to rile the world's greatest minds in anthropology and the cutting-edge science responsible for them. The result is this expert guide to the wide-ranging debates over the most profound questions we can ask. Each lecture focuses on a single one of these questions and the sometimes surprising, sometimes fierce, and always illuminating debates surrounding them, including whether it was Africa or Asia that was more central to human origins, what prehistoric cultural groups were really like, and when humans actually reached the New World.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Great look at human evolution and genetics

Absolutely loved this. Accessible, engaging, up-to-date. Highly recommended. it was especially nice to have an episode on Homo floresiensis.

Very relative to today's study of anthropology

I really enjoyed the series of lectures. The concert was extremely religious to today's study that's apology. Dr. hugs delivery of the lectures were highly enjoyable and delivered the information in in format that was easy to follow. I highly recommend the series of lectures.

Current to spring 2014. Good science up to date.

Writer is an expert in paleo-anthropology and biology through genomics. This course is current through denosovia and Florencia. A detailed exploration of who we are and from whence we came. Highly recommended..

Better than an introductory physical anthro course

Professor Hawks course is comprehensive, up-to-date, and well told. He is a good narrator. Highly recommended Great Courses listen!

excellent

I loved it. the professor's voice was very pleasant. I would recommend anyone to listen to it.

solid history

one of the best courses on human evolution and historic migration
the lecturer is enjoyable.

Great walk-through paleontology debates

Great explanations on how paleontologist study fossils and compare them with us, including classic and genetic evidences. Some of the debates the professor mentioned I did not even know they were debates at all. Very easy to listen to, highly recommended.

Clear and easy to listen to.

The book is up to date and gives you a good overview of our understanding of humans evolution using observation techniques and genetics.

Excellent course!

This was very well presented for such a complex and controversial subject. I would love to have more courses with this professor, perhaps something that goes into more depth on Neanderthals.

Interesting and informative.

Decent narration but could be more varied.

Engaging descriptions of the histories of vying theories about the origins and evolution of humans.

The clear explanation of sciencientific methodologies is particularly informative and interesting.