Genetic Genealogy as an Emerging Research Branch of Human Ancestry and Origin (Review of Curricula and Other Learning Sources)

Abstract

SETTINGGenetic genealogy is an emerging branch of the complex 21st-century science of human ancestry and origin (Nikolova, 2017). It features intersecting research interests, including traditional genealogy, population genetics, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, history, sociology, health sciences, and other fields in the humanities. Study of this branch points out the absence of traditions, including genetic genealogy, in the academic curricula. At the same time, an integral component of genetic genealogy is population genetics, which is a basic academic subject. This research review assesses three types of curricula: curricula for genetic genealogy courses, curricula for population genetics courses, and curricula for general (integrative) genealogy. The description of the second and third types focuses on how they relate to the curriculum for genetic genealogy courses. In addition, many other resources for curricula are analyzed, since numerous publications and websites offer important learning tools and embed elements of academic curricula.The literature review in this chapter will answer the following questions: How do the curricula cover contemporary genetic genealogy research and its social applications? What other learning sources for genetic genealogy exist beyond courses? What is the place of genetic genealogy within the population genetics curricula and/or other learning sources? What is the place of genetic genealogy within the general genealogy curricula and/or other learning sources? What gaps will a new curriculum for a genetic genealogy course fill within academic settings?The criteria of the critical approach in this literature review are based on the main standards elaborated for academic curricula and the main achievements in the curricula studies (see e.g. Kridel, 2010).