An introductory course in human evolutionary biology. Natural selection and its genetic basis are used to highlight a variety of human traits. The fossil record is addressed, but the course takes more of an "adaptationist" than a paleontological perspective.

No Prerequisites

5

Units

Optional

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

None

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
GEs Area C
Unlocks ANTH 9 ANTH 153T ANTH 171 ANTH 103 ANTH 170 ANTH 151T
GURVEN M D
Michael Gurven
3.3
26 reviews
AI predicted, based on past grading trends of the course and instructor, class info, and 127 other factors
GIRV 2112
M
08:00 AM - 08:50 AM
6 / 25

GIRV 2112
M
09:00 AM - 09:50 AM
2 / 25

GIRV 2115
W
09:00 AM - 09:50 AM
8 / 25

PHELP1448
M
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
4 / 25

BUCHN1934
F
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
25 / 25 Full

BUCHN1934
F
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
22 / 25

GIRV 2112
R
16:00 PM - 16:50 PM
25 / 25 Full

ILP 3211
R
17:00 PM - 17:50 PM
25 / 25 Full

ILP 4107
W
14:00 PM - 14:50 PM
25 / 25 Full

ILP 4105
W
15:00 PM - 15:50 PM
25 / 25 Full

SH 1609
F
14:00 PM - 14:50 PM
25 / 25 Full

HSSB 2251
F
15:00 PM - 15:50 PM
24 / 25

BUCHN1934
M
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
10 / 25

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Winter 2026 . Gurven M D
ILP 1203
T R
09:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Fall 2026 . Gurven M D
IV THEA1
M W
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
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ANTH 5 Gurven M D Winter 2026 Total: 178
ANTH 5 Gurven M D Winter 2025 Total: 54
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26
3.3
ANTH5 . Gurven M D 2 Months Ago

Dr. Gurven was great in lecture, really interesting material. But, those tests he gives focus into super super little details and are just too difficult. Loved the class, hated the midterm and final.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
ANTH145 . Gurven M D 2 Months Ago

Professor Gurven is a sweetie. I took Anth5 to fulfill some GE requirements, but you can tell he really cares about his students. The lectures were helpful if you didn't want to review material outside of class, but attendance wasn't mandatory. Grades are based mainly on a weekly assignment that's super easy, one midterm, and the final.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
ANTH145 . Gurven M D 2 Months Ago

were told that the final would be online open note. A month before the final due to his lack of due diligence he is told by the school that the final has to be in person. Decides to ALSO make it closed notes only 2 pages cheat sheet after we BEGGED he didn't even want to give us 1 page at first. For a 80 question complex final. @ 8 am. Anth 5 btw

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
145 . Gurven M D 11 Years Ago

Hard to follow lectures if you don't do & understand the concepts from the reading but still doable if you fall a bit behind. His office hours are very useful if you have trouble with the homework. 1 take home final and 1 paper. Paper was interesting because he lets you choose your topic. Don't wait to start the take home final it takes time.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
ANTH145 . Gurven M D 11 Years Ago

There are 5 HW assignments that require knowledge in basic stats and especially excel, but if you've taken Anth 161 or Anth 9, you should be fine. It's very basic excel stuff. The final paper is 4-5 pages long and is very easy. There was no midterm and a take home final exam, which was easy, with the exception of a couple questions. Easy stuff.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
129MG . Gurven M D 3 Years Ago

The tests were unnecessarily complexly worded. When students asked questions in class or tried to answer his questions, he was pretty condescending.The class is mislabeled as Behavior Ecology on Gold but was actually a Hunter gatherer ecology class. I did like the limited amount of assignments, but just beware that they're graded harshly

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
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