Course: Human ecology

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Course title Human ecology
Course code KPK/EKOL
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Gába Aleš, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
1. Introduction to human ecology. 2. Phylogenetic development of humans and selected evolution theories. 3. Human adaptation and adaptability. 4. Types of adaptations. 5. Environment and ontogenetic development. 6. Motor development during intrauterine and extrauterine periods. 7. Mechanisms of environmental impacts on humans. 8. Ecology of human populations. 9. Age and aging. 10. Ecology of the educational process.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Attendace - 13 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 15 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course introduces to the students the relations between the organism, population, human society and biological and socioeconomic environment with an emphasis on civilisation adaptations. Information about this course was translated to English within the project Internationalization of the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University, Olomouc, No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0028, co-funded by the European Social Fund and the Government of the Czech Republic.
Upon completion of the course the student will understand the relations between the organism and the surrounding environment.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of a human anatomy and physiology exam.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Analysis of Activities ( Technical works)

80% attendance, passing the final test.
Recommended literature
  • Berger, L. R., de Ruiter, D. J., Churchill, S. E., Schmid, P., Carlson, K. J., Dirks, P. H. G. M., et al. (2010). Australopithecus sediba: A New Species of Homo-Like Australopith from South Africa.. Science.
  • Bláha, P., Susanne, C., & Rebato, E. (2007). Essentials of biological anthropology: (selected chapters). Prague: Karolinum Press.
  • Hajn, V. (1999). Ekologie člověka. Olomouc: Vydavatelství UP.
  • Lander, E. S., Linton, L. M., Birren, B., Nusbaum, C., Zody, M. C., Baldwin, J., et al. (2001). Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome. Nature.
  • Leakey, M. G., Spoor, F., Dean, M. C., Feibel, C. S., Anton, S. C., Kiarie, C., et al. (2012). New fossils from Koobi Fora in northern Kenya confirm taxonomic diversity in early Homo. Nature.
  • Luca, F., Di Giacomo, F., Benincasa, T., Popa, L. O., Banyko, J., Kracmarova, A., et al. (2007). Y-chromosomal variation in the Czech Republic. Am J Phys Anthropol.
  • Moore, L.G. (1998). Human adaptation to high altitude: regional and life-cycle perspectives. American Journal of Physical Anthropology.
  • Rankinen, T., Zuberi, A., Chagnon, Y. C., Weisnagel, S. J., Argyropoulos, G., Walts, B., et al. (2006). The human obesity gene map: the 2005 update. Obesity.
  • Riegerová, J. (1988). Vybrané kapitoly z ekologie člověka. Olomouc : Univerzita Palackého.
  • Soukup, V. (2011). Antropologie: teorie člověka a kultury. Praha: Portál.
  • Spirduso, W. W., Francis, K. L., & Macrae, P. G. (2005). Physical dimensions of aging. Champaign: Human Kinetics.
  • Stein, P. L., & Rowe, B. M. (1993). Physical anthropology. New York: McGraw-Hill.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Physical Culture Study plan (Version): Teaching Physical Education for 2nd Gr. of Primary School and Secondary School with Specializations (2019) Category: Physical education and sport 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer