Linda Van Blerkom
Professor of Anthropology
Drew
University Anthropology Department
phone: 973 408 3701
email:Lvanbler@drew.edu
Office Hours : Fall
2004, MW 12:30-2:30, TTh 1:15-3:00
Course Offerings
Human Evolution
Evolution and
Disease
Human
Paleontology/Osteology
Primatology
Medical
Anthropology
Evolution and
Human Behavior
Genetics and
Human Evolution
Research Interests
Biological
anthropology
Evolution of
infectious diseases
Coevolution of
humans and their pathogens
Osteology and
Paleopathology
Paleoepidemiology
Medical
anthropology
Publications and Presentations
Professional
Biography
Professor Van Blerkom has been at
Drew since 1989. She specializes in Medical and Biological Anthropology,
as well as the evolution of human diseases. She received her Master's
degree in anthropology from the University of Colorado- Boulder in 1979, and
her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Colorado- Boulder in 1985.
She has also taught at Baylor University and Bates College.
Human Evolution
An introduction to the study of
human evolution using biological anthropology and archaeological methods and theories. Includes
surveys of basic evolutionary theory principles, primatology, the hominid
fossil record, the origins of modern humans, and archaeological evidence for
the evolution of (symbolic behavior, agriculture and civilization?)
Medical
Anthropology
A cross-cultural study of health
and healing in ecological, evolutionary, and political-economic perspectives. Topics include cultural
differences in health, reproduction, nutrition, disease ecology, medical
systems and mortality, as well as the evolution of human disease, and the
efficacy of different medical systems.
Human
Paleontology
A study of human and primate
skeletal anatomy and the fossil evidence for human evolution. Students assess competing models
for human phylogeny through readings, class discussions, and laboratory
exercises affording direct examination of skeletal and fossil material.
Primatology
The study of primate behavior, the
ways it understood as environmental adaptation, its evolutionary significance,
comparisons to human behavior. Topics include primate ecology, social
behavior, and cognition.
Evolution and
Human Behavior
A study of the basic principles of
evolutionary theory as applied to the study of humans social behavior.
The course examines competing views on the importance of biology for
understanding human behavior, and considers the relationship between genes and
culture.
Genetics and
Human Evolution
A study of the rapidly accumulating
genetic evidence relating to biological relationship of apes and humans, timing
of ape-hominid diversion, origins of modern humans, paleolithic population
bottlenecks, relationships of archaic and modern humans, and differentiation of
races, among other aspects of human evolutions. Considers
comparisons of protein and DNA (mitochondrial and nuclear, including Y
chromosome haplotypes) in living apes and humans as well as ancient DNA.
Native
American Ethnography
The study of cultures of native
North America prior to the Columbian expansion of Europe, as well as directions
and dynamics of culture change to the present. Examines current
issues, specifically points of contention with the U.S. and Canadian
governments.
See the Drew Anthropology Department Page for other Anthropology courses
Publications
and Presentations
Publications
2003 The Role of Viruses in Human Evolution. Yearbook
of Physical Anthropology 46:14-46.
1997 Zoonoses and the Origins of Old and New World Viral
Diseases: A Reappraisal. In The Anthropology of Medicine,
3rd ed., L.Romanucci-Ross, D.E. Moerman, and L.R.Trancredi, eds.
New York: Bergin and Garvey.
1995 Clown Doctors: Shaman Healers of Western Medicine. Medical Anthropology Quarterly. 9: 462-475.
1991 Zoonoses and the Origins of Old and New World Viral
Diseases. In The Anthropology of Medicine, 2nd ed., L.
Romanucci-Ross, D.E. Moerman, and L.R. Tancredi, eds., pp 196-218. New York:
Bergin and Garvey.
1986 Altered States and Revitalization Among American Women.
Association for the Anthropological Study of Consciousness Newsletter, 2,
no 3: 1-2, 7.
Presentations
2003 Viruses
and Human Evolution. Paper
presented at the Annual Meeting of the Paleoanthropology Society, Tempe,
Arizona, April 2003.
2002 The Role of Viruses in Human Evolution. Paper
presented at the 2002 Meeting on Human Origins and Disease, Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, October, 2002.
2001 Evidence of Ancient Viruses and Their Role in
Hominid Evolution. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the
American Anthropological Association of Physical Anthropologists, Kansas City
MO, March 2001 (American Journal of Physical Anthropology suppl. 32:
154)
2000
Traces of Ancient Viruses. Poster presented at the Human Origins and
Disease Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, October 2000.
2000
Coevolution of Humans and Their Viruses. Poster presentation at the 69th Annual Meeting of American Association of Physical
Anthropologists (American Journal of Physical Anthropology suppl. 26)
1999
Disease Exchange and Neandertal Extinction. Paper presented at the Human
Origins Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, April 1999 (Abstracts,
p.3).
1996
Emerging Viruses and Human Evolution. Paper presented at the 65th Annual
Meeting of American Association of Physical Anthropologists (American
Journal of Physical Anthropology suppl. 22: 233-234).
1993
Clowns as Shamans: The Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit. Paper presented
at the 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Anthropologist Association (Abstracts,
pp. 582-583).
Computer Applications:
1998
The Fossil Lab: An Exploration in Hominid Evolution. Toolbook application for use with introductory course in
physical evolution. Soon to be updated to Flash
application.