Module ANTH4058: Minds and Monkeys

Department: Anthropology

ANTH4058: Minds and Monkeys

Prerequisites

• ANTH2071 Our Place in Nature 2015/16 ONLY - HUSS 2321 Our Place in Nature OR ANTH 2061 Evolutionary Anthropology

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• ANTH4128 Cousins and Ancestors, ANTH4088 Cultural Evolution and Evolutionary Psychology

Aims

• To introduce students to advanced topics in evolutionary theory as it relates to human behaviour
• To compare and contrast different evolutionary approaches to understanding human behaviour, including those that focus on human universals and those that focus on variability
• Special regard is paid to understanding key theoretical concepts and how these may be applied to experimental and observational studies of human behaviour.
• To introduce students to advanced topics in primate behaviour
• To examine the evolution of primate societies and how environmental and demographic factors influence animals' decisions about how to organise their social and reproductive strategies
• Special regard is paid to understanding key theoretical concepts and how these may be applied to empirical studies of non-human primates

Content

• Principles of evolutionary psychology and human behavioural ecology
• Human mating strategies, including mate choice and intra-sexual competition
• Evolution of human cooperation
• Ecological influences on adaptive human behaviour
• Evolutionary perspectives on the human brain and cognitive structure
• Determinants of Primate Group Size and Social Structure:
• Resource Competition and Territoriality:
• Predation and Primate Behaviour
• Social Relationships, Grooming and Reconciliation:
• Sexual Selection and Reproductive Strategies:
• Sexual Dimorphism:
• Sexual Conflict and Infanticide.
• Primate Life Histories.

Learning Outcomes

• A firm grasp of the theoretical bases of evolutionary approaches to understanding human behaviour.
• An advanced understanding of how theoretical approaches have been applied to human behaviour, including an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of both the theories and the empirical evidence relating to them
• A firm grasp of contemporary evolutionary theory and the way in which it has been extended to understand reproductive and social behaviour of primates.
• An advanced understanding of current issues in primate behavioural ecology

• An ability to understand, critically examine and discuss the relevant literature, including evaluation of the strengths and limitations of theoretical models, quality of data, and the way that evidence is handled
• Ability to think creatively and rigorously about how theory and evidence could be strengthened
• An ability to examine the literature critically and evaluate theoretical models based on available data, including awareness of limitations in the quality of data and the way it is handled, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the models themselves.

• Presentation skills based on the preparation and delivery of oral presentations of key points in set topics.
• Essay writing based on independent reading used to address novel issues at an advanced level.
• Students should be able to express themselves clearly and concisely on technical topics, and explain why particular issues are important and/or controversial

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

• Seminars. Seminars centred on student presentations allow students to interrogate the primary literature and key arguments of important topics in evolutionary psychology and primate behaviour.
• Formative assessment is given on essay plans and for seminar presentations. Formative feedback on seminar presentations will help students to develop skills and consolidate their knowledge and understanding, including the ability to present the key arguments of important topics, evaluate tests of theoretical concepts, and structure an argument.
• Presentation files will test seminar preparation skills, and the ability to concisely integrate information from a variety of sources and to explain why particular issues are important and/or controversial.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative essay plans (400 words) for both essays. Written formative feedback is given for seminar presentations in both parts of the module.

■ 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