BIOL-215: Biology of Human Diversity & Pseudoscience of Racism

Human populations throughout the world differ in their physical appearance, behavior, customs, lifestyles, etc. Students learn about the biological basis of human homogeneity and diversity, and critically examine the construct of race as a sanctioned method of classifying human species into different groups. Consideration of biological principles that define species and subgroups, and discussion of key differences between early and modern techniques that biologists use to classify organisms. Case studies and examples from geographic locations around the world address some of the enormous social implications (health care, education, law enforcement) of using faulty science to group human beings into distinct racial categories. FILA general education: global dynamics. Offered alternate years.