Module ANTH2327: Primate Societies

Department: Anthropology

ANTH2327: Primate Societies

Prerequisites

• Human Evolution and Diversity (ANTH1091) OR Organisms and Environment (BIOL1161) OR Being Human (ANTH1111)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop awareness and understanding of evolutionary biology as applied to primates. 
• To develop understanding of the evolution of primate societies, and the major adaptive problems primates face in the wild.
• To examine the colonial history of primatology and the implications of the dominance of the Global North in science for our understandings of primates.
• To prepare students for Level 3 modules requiring an evolutionary perspective and provide skills of particular importance for the dissertation.

Content

• The evolutionary systematics, ecology, and adaptive diversity of non-human primates.
• Primate behaviour and ecology, and current theories about the evolution of primate societies.
• The scientific method of developing and testing hypotheses.
• Space for students to choose their own focus for their assessment.

Learning Outcomes

• Familiarity with the diversity and evolution of primate social systems and primate behaviour. 
• Critical understanding of theories used by primatologists and anthropologists to understand the evolution of primate behaviour.
• An understanding of biases in the species we study and in who ‘does’ primatology, and how that influences our understanding of primates.

• Familiarity with key methods and concepts in the study of primatology and behaviour.
• Understanding the scientific process and biases in the scientific literature.
• Ability to critically analyse and evaluate written scientific information. 
• The ability to evaluate anthropological arguments and evidence.

• Searching information sources effectively (e.g., libraries, archives) and find information.
• Using academic literature effectively.
• Integrating and evaluating a range of information and data from primary and secondary sources.
• The ability to communicate a complex topic in an effective and compelling manner.
• Proposing ways of collecting, analysing and interpreting quantitative data.  
• Writing effective research proposals.

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

• Lectures cover subject-specific knowledge. 
• Seminars further develop subject-specific knowledge and key skills.
• Assessment surgeries provide an opportunity to talk through ideas for the assignment to ensure that student creations meet the assessment criteria.
• The summative assignment assesses subject-specific knowledge and key skills.
• The summative assignment comprises a research proposal on a research question chosen by the student.  
• Formative assessment consists of oral and written feedback in seminars and assessment ‘surgeries’. 
• The module will have a dedicated Learn Ultra site on which course information and materials will be posted.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Oral and written feedback in seminars and assessment surgeries, and through example study aids and practical guidance on Ultra.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.