Module HUSS3301: Understanding Behaviour

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS3301: Understanding Behaviour

Prerequisites

• Evolutionary Issues (HUSS2301), Human Ecology, Genetics & Health (ANTH2011), Evolutionary Anthropology (ANTH2061) Phase 1 MBBS (Intercalated BSc students).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To expose students to the principles of studying behaviour, with reference to aspects of development and cognition.
• To develop in students a critical and up-to-date understanding of reciprocal causal influences between genetic and behavioural variation in the animal kingdom.
• To develop in students a critical and up-to-date understanding of the evolution and expression of primate behaviour.

Content

• This module will:
• 1. Critically evaluate the principles of biological research into behavioural development and cognition in humans and other animals with a focus on methodsological requirements.
• 2. Evaluate the relationship between genes and behaviour (including plasticity, development and heritability) and the effects of behaviour on genetic evolution (including niche construction and gene-culture coevolution).
• 3. Examine the current state of theory and empirical research in the evolution and expression of primate behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should be able to demonstrate that they are familiar with current theory concerning the development of behaviour and cognition, and to give a range of case studiesand critical analysis of, selected case studies in the development of behaviour and cognition.
• Students should be able to demonstrate that they are familiar with current theory , and a range of empirical examples, concerning the influence of genes on behaviour and the effect of behaviour on genetic evolution, and to give. a range of empirical examples.
• Students should be able to demonstrate that they are familiar with current theory , and a range of empirical examples, concerning the evolution and expression of primate behaviour and to give a range of empirical examples.

• Ability to understand and critically evaluate experimental studies and evolutionary models and their application to behaviour.

• Ability to interpret evidence and the role it plays in a scientific argument.
• Ability to extract, compile, review and evaluate relevant scientific information from various sources.
• Ability to defend a certain scientific position in a group discussion.
• Ability to structure and communicate ideas effectively both in writing and orally.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be via seminars, which will take two forms. Some will introduce a topic, then review case studies and/or the range of evidence available. Others will be more participatory and require students to discuss and evaluate scientific papers. This combination of approaches will allow both learning and assessment of more factual/declarative knowledge of the subject material, as well as the development of insight into methodological requirements.
• Assessment will be via 3 2 essays/discussion papers seminar write-ups in which students will be expected to synthesise and evaluate material from several of the seminars and a two-hour examination designed to assess the ability to understand and critically evaluate experimental studies and evolutionary models and their application to behaviour.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One 800 word essay/discussion paper, formative comments on the first summative paper.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University