Reproductions of human skulls surround Grace Rihl as she enters the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History exhibit clutching a notebook and list of 20 questions. The UMW freshman ponders the first question on the list: “When did modern humans evolve?” She surveys her surroundings, then scours the David H. Koch Hall of Human Origins for clues.
Searching among the descriptions that accompany the glass-enclosed skulls and fossils, she spies the answer. “200,000 years ago,” and scribbles in her notebook.
Rihl is among 15 freshman seminar classmates on a treasure hunt in the nation’s capital. The group in “The Human Animal” course are sleuthing for clues about different species of ancestral humans, or hominins, and how they evolved over the past six million years.
UMW Professor of Biology Andrew Dolby, who teaches the seminar, said that the class field trip to Washington, D.C., helps students explore humanity and evolution. Students examine the facts, misconceptions and controversies surrounding the scientific study of human evolution.
“Perhaps some of the more mysterious aspects of our human anatomy, physiology and behavior may become easier to explain if viewed through the lens of evolution,” said Dolby.
During the course, students examine the books Your Inner Fish, by Neil Shubin, and Our Inner Ape, by Frans de Waal. While Shubin applies evolutionary biology to explain the human body’s physical quirks, de Waal explores evolutionary explanations for human behavior. He contends that many of the traits people consider unique to humans–altruism, determination, empathy–exist in other mammals, particularly in chimpanzees and gorillas. de Waal, who directs Emory University’s Living Links Center, said that these characteristics are as deeply ingrained in human and animal nature as other kinds of instincts.
In previous semesters, Dolby showed students videos of gorillas attempting to help children who had fallen into zoo enclosures. While most of the class reacted with amazement, Dolby said, the gorillas’ compassion shouldn’t surprise them.
“Maybe it is in our nature to be cooperative, empathetic,” Dolby said.
The seminar and the museum treasure hunt struck home with Rihl, particularly the exhibits of figurines and replicas of cave art created by modern humans 35,000 years ago.
“It showed us that even early humans were creative, had deep thought and imagination,” Rihl said.
Her love of biology and her interest in genetics prompted her to take the course. What surprised Rihl was that humans and other organisms not only share similar biological attributes, but social and cultural aspects, too.
“Humans weren’t the first organisms who were intelligent,” Rihl said.
Dolby hopes that students’ understanding of human and animal behavior will provide perspective to make meaningful and wise decisions about their own lives.
“I want students to be mindful of what drives them,” Dolby said. “And ultimately not just get a job, but make good decisions and treat each other well.”
THIS IS SO EXCITING! Of course, my being Grace Rihl’s grandmother may have something to do with my reaction.
Clearly, this field trip to the DC Museum is an advantage to these students and demonstrates to me that for several reasons, her choice of MWU was the correct one. Thank you, Professor Dolby, for the wisdom and effort that assists Grace to reach her goals.