Introduction to human ecology WF-OB-WZEC

1/ Introductory topics: the concepts of species, speciation, ecological niche… 2h
2/ Clarifying concepts: evolution, evolutionism, theory(ies) of evolution. 2h
3/ Adaptation, adjustment, and adaptability. 2h
4/ Ecological rules. 2h
5/ An overview of the ecology of modern primates. 2h
6/ The specific characteristics of the order Primates. 2h
7/ The time and space of life and characteristics of the earliest African hominid forms. 2h
8/ The time-space of life and characteristics of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. 2h
9/ The time-space of life and characteristics of Neanderthals. 2h
10/ In search of a definition of Homo sapiens. 2h
11/ The Neolithic Revolution and its biological and cultural consequences. 2 hours
12/ Epidemics in the past and today. 2h
13/ Selected lifestyle-related diseases (WHO). 4h
14/ Culture and its impact on the functioning of our species. 2h

Term 2025/26_L:

1. Introductory issues: concepts of species, speciation, niche... (2 hours)
2. Towards clarity of concepts: evolution, evolutionism, theory(ies) of evolution. (2 hours)
3. Adaptation, adjustment, and adaptability. (2 hours)
4. Ecological rules. (2 hours)
5. An outline of the ecology of modern primates. (2 hours)
6. The specificity of the order Primates. (2 hours)
7. The time-space of life and characteristics of the oldest African hominid forms. (2 hours)
8. The time-space of life and characteristics of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. (2h)
9. The time and space of life and characteristics of Neanderthal man. (2h)
10. In search of a definition of Homo sapiens. (2h)
11. The Neolithic Revolution and its biological and cultural consequences. (2h)
12. Epidemics in the past and present. (2 hours)
13. Selected diseases of civilization (WHO). (4 hours)
14. Culture and its impact on the functioning of our species. (2 hours)

Term 2026/27_L:

(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych

(in Polish) nie dotyczy

Course coordinators

Jacek Tomczyk

Subject level

elementary

Learning outcome code/codes

OB1_W05, OB1_W17, OB1_W18

Type of subject

obligatory

Preliminary Requirements

Basic knowledge in the field of biology and geography.

Learning outcomes

W1 Knows and understands the role and significance of the natural environment for human functioning, as well as the relationships between the environment and human health, culture, and legal and economic factors (OB1_W17). Lists ecological principles, discusses theories regarding the origin of bipedalism and the large brain, lists and describes lifestyle-related diseases and their causes, and describes the characteristics of primates. Correctly characterizes key events in human evolution. Course topics: 1–13.

W2 Knows and understands the dilemmas—including ethical ones—of modern civilization, the threats to civilization on a global, regional, and local scale, and sustainable development (OB1_W18). Lists and describes lifestyle-related diseases and epidemics and their causes; lists the causes and effects of the Neolithic Revolution. Course topics: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

W3 Knows and understands the main conceptual categories and terminology in the natural sciences, as well as the development of these disciplines and the research methods used in them (OB1_W05). Correctly defines terms such as species, speciation, niche, etc. Course topics: 1, 2, 3, 4.

1 ECTS = 30 hours
direct class participation 30 hours (1 ECTS)
independent work (class preparation—individual review of material, reading of assigned texts 20 hours + preparation for the assessment 10 hours) (1 ECTS)

Assessment criteria

Written exam: test (single-choice, closed-ended questions)
Grading:
96%–100%: very good (5.0)
86–95% good plus (4.5)
76–85% good (4.0)
66–75% satisfactory plus (3.5)
56–65% satisfactory (3.0)
0%–55% unsatisfactory (2.0)

Bibliography

1. Wolański N., 2006. Ekologia człowieka, t 1, PWN, Warszawa
2. Lewin R., 2002, Wprowadzenie do ewolucji człowieka, Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa.
3. Tomczyk J., 2006, Meandry taksonomii kopalnych hominidów. Aspekty historyczno-metodologiczne. w: A. Lemańska, M. Lubański (red.), Z zagadnień filozofii przyrodoznawstwa i filozofii przyrody. T.18, Wyd. UKSW, Warszawa, 19-216.
4. Tomczyk J., Hałaczek B., 2008, U progów ludzkości, UKSW, Warszawa.
5. Lieberman D., 2026, Historia ludzkiego ciała. PWN, Warszawa

Upon an individual student's request, the instructor will provide additional reading materials

Supplementary Reading Materials:
1. Mayr E., 2002, To jest biologia, Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa.
2. Foley R., 2001, Zanim człowieka stał się człowiekiem, PIW, Warszawa.

Term 2025/26_L:

Wolański N., 2006. Ekologia człowieka, t 1, PWN, Warszawa
Lewin R., 2002, Wprowadzenie do ewolucji człowieka, Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa.
Tomczyk J., 2006, Meandry taksonomii kopalnych hominidów. Aspekty historyczno-metodologiczne. w: A. Lemańska, M. Lubański (red.), Z zagadnień filozofii przyrodoznawstwa i filozofii przyrody. T.18, Wyd. UKSW, Warszawa, 19-216.
Tomczyk J., Hałaczek B., 2008, U progów ludzkości, UKSW, Warszawa.

Na indywidualną prośbę studenta prowadzący udostępni inną literaturę.

Term 2026/27_L:

Upon an individual student's request, the instructor will provide additional reading materials

Supplementary Reading Materials:
1. Mayr E., 2002, To jest biologia, Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa.
2. Foley R., 2001, Zanim człowieka stał się człowiekiem, PIW, Warszawa.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Environmental Protection - full-time first cycle studies

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of WF-OB-WZEC in USOSweb