Evolution, Health, and Wellness: Navigating Modern Life in an Ancient Body

Description from DukeHub

Examination of human physical, mental, and social health through the lens of evolutionary mismatch theory. Comparison of ancestral and modern environments, including impacts on health and behavior. Evaluation of how major transitions in human history and technological developments contribute to contemporary challenges. Integration of perspectives from evolutionary anthropology, physiology, nutrition, psychology, and public health, with an emphasis on critical evaluation of empirical research and application to real-world health and behavior. Includes readings, discussions, and presentations, with a focus on practical strategies to optimize health and wellbeing in modern environments. Previous experience in Biology or Evolutionary Anthropology is helpful, but not required.

Skills

• financedescription: "evaluation" and 1 more
• public speakingAI review: "Includes readings, discussions, and presentations"

AI-resilient: 0 of 5 0/5

• No: Physical, lab or field work
• No: Live work with people
• No: Judgment someone is accountable for
• No: A craft you practice with your hands or body
• No: Small, in-person format

The checks lean on Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025), which found generative AI applies least to physical work and hands-on work with people. A signal, not a promise. How the score works

More in EVANTH

• Introduction to Evolutionary Anthropology EVANTH 101L
• The Human Species: An Evolutionary Perspective EVANTH 102CC
• The Dynamic Human Journey: Biology and Culture in Deep Time EVANTH 115CN
• Anatomy of the Lower Extremities EVANTH 231L
• Primate Ecology and Behavior EVANTH 253
• Human Cognitive Evolution EVANTH 260

All EVANTH courses · All of Undergraduate