BIOL 134(F) The Tropics: Biology and Social Issues (Same as Environmental Studies 134)*

Intended for the non-scientist, this course explores the biological dimensions of social issues in tropical societies, and focuses specifically on the peoples and cultures of tropical regions in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Oceanea, and the Caribbean. Tropical issues have become prominent on a global scale, and many social issues in the tropics are inextricably bound to human ecology, evolution, and physiology. The course begins with a survey of the tropical environment of humans, including major climatic and habitat features. The place of the tropics in human evolution is then covered, with treatments of recent advances in paleontology and molecular biology and their implications for human cultural diversity. The next section focuses on human population biology, and emphasizes demography and the role of disease. The final part of the course covers the place of human societies in local and global ecosystems including the challenges of tropical food production, the importance of organic diversity, and the interaction of humans with their supporting ecological environment.
Evaluation will be based on a midterm, a short paper, and a final exam.
Lectures: three hours a week.
No prerequisites. Does not count for major credit in Biology.