The Human Journey: Archaeology and Evolution
UndergraduateLTU-ARC1THJ2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 20 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Price from
- $2,124
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
The Human Journey: Archaeology and Evolution
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- You will examine how new discoveries have changed our understanding of human evolution through time by outlining the history of archaeological and fossil discoveries.
- You will be able to interpret differing views on the origins of humans.
- You will identify the primary scientific methods that influence our understanding of key events in human evolution with a focus upon archaeological and fossil case studies.
- You will define what it means to be human through an understanding the behavioural and cognitive evolution of our ancestors.
- You will examine the sensitivities surrounding discussions of our human origins and the importance of understanding our shared ancestry in the modern world.
- Palaeoanthropology
- Human Evolution
- Palaeolithic Archaeology
- Human Origins
- Archaeological Science
- Evolutionary Biology
- History of Science
‘The Human Journey; archaeology and evolution' looks at the origins and evolutionary paths of humans, from our earliest potential ancestors 7 million years ago, to the first occurrence of own species around 300,000 years ago. To do this we examine the fossil, archaeological and behavioural records of our ancestors as well as looking at the climatic and environmental backdrop to our evolution. The subject is built around a historical understanding of how key discoveries have changed our understanding of our ancestry and case studies of pivotal archaeological and fossil sites, including the active research of the teaching staff - who have discovered key early human fossils in Africa. The subject takes a global outlook, from our earliest origins in Africa, the dispersal of the first human species out of Africa and into Asia and Europe, to the origin and relationship of our own species to our close cousins the Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Taught by La Trobe researchers working at key palaeoanthopological and archaeological sites such as Drimolen and Amanzi Springs in South Africa, the subject presents upon their active fieldwork and research within a historical context to understand our evolution, and to explore how views of our human ancestry have changed through time - highlighting the shared ancestry of all humans alive today and the epic journey that our ancestors took to becoming us.
- Online weekly quizzes and a final quiz covering the full 12 weeks (equivalent to 750 words). (20%)
- Practical in class activities equivalent to 750 words (20%)
- Written archaeological site report (1500 words) (40%)
- Students will be required to do a podcast looking at the history of an archaeological or fossil site important to human evolution (750 words equivalent). This site will form the basis of your site report (assessment 3) (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
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- QS Ranking 2024:
- 17
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 18
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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