"The Rise of Humans: Great Scientific Debates" Prof. John Hawks (DVD) (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture /  4x DVD - The Great Courses)
The turbulent and evolving narrative of human evolution takes center stage in this deep-dive into the most contentious discoveries in paleoanthropology. These lectures move beyond simple timelines to dissect the high-stakes debates surrounding our ancient ancestors, from the mysterious origins of bipedalism to the controversial relationship between Neanderthals and modern humans. By evaluating fossil evidence and ancient DNA, the course investigates how new discoveries frequently overturn established theories and force a radical rethinking of the hominin family tree.
 
An exhaustive analysis of the scientific method in action replaces static textbook histories to reveal how experts interpret fragmentary evidence from the field. Drawing on expertise from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this material explores the impact of revolutionary finds like Homo naledi and the "Hobbits" of Flores on our understanding of human diversity. This is not merely a survey of old bones; it is an intellectually grounded investigation into the biological and cultural transitions that defined our species, offering a high-level look at the ongoing quest to solve the mystery of our own beginnings.