The proposed course is based on my research in ancient DNA and human evolutionary genetics. It will cover the history of genetics as applied to human origins and migration, with a focus on developments since the 1980s. Topics include the advances in molecular genetics, applications in forensic identification, archaeology, and human evolution, and the marketing of genetic identity by companies who type DNA of customers for a fee. I aim to provide an overview of the technology, and to stimulate debate on questions of origins, identity and race. The course should interest those curious about genetics, archaeology, anthropology and human evolution, as well as forensics and eugenics.