Course Description
Exploration of primate behavioral and ecological variation and understanding of the evolutionary explanations for such variation.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be assigned additional readings
throughout the course and will be tested on these readings
during the exams will be expected to lead some class
discussions and to prepare an original research paper based on
real data suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Athena Title
Primate Behavior
Prerequisite
ANTH 1102 or ANTH 1102E or ANTH 2120H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will be provided with a deep understanding of the diversity of primate life, social organizations, and types of social relationships and how those differences relate to ecological, social, and demographic factors. Students will familiarize with the evolutionary framework used by primatologists to investigate primate behavior and the variation of social systems, including natural, kin, and sexual selection as well as individual strategies and social organizations. At the end of the course, students will gain a deep understanding of evolutionary theory and will be familiar with the scientific methods and diverse methodologies used to investigate primate social behavior. Students will learn how to read scientific literature, analyze and critique primary research work by valuating evidence and using logic. Students will improve their writing skills, since summaries, short essays, and a final paper on a chosen topic are part of the requirements of the course. Students will also improve their oral skills through unformal class presentations and a final formal PowerPoint presentation of their term paper. Additionally, students are expected to have an active role in the teaching environment since they will be responsible for choosing part of the material used in class to address specific topics.
Topical Outline
1. Primate Diversity and Adaptation 2. Evolution of Social Behavior 3. Diet, Nutrition, and Food Acquisition 4. Group Living: Predation and Resource Competition 5. Female and Male Strategies 6. Life History, Paternal Investment 7. Social Relationships, Rank, and Stress 8. Cooperation 9. Communication, Cognition, and Culture
Syllabus