Logo: Masters

 

SCIE 614
Classic Studies in Animal Behavior

Joyce Powzyk         

Course Schedule
September 13 Course Introduction
Background on Linnaeus, Darwin, and Wallace
Adaptation
Proximate and Ultimate Causation
Genetics
Genotype & Phenotype Defined
Mutations
Introduction to Reproduction
Nature vs. Nurture Dilemma

Readings: Chapter 1 & 2
September 20 The Development of Behavior
Bird Song Learning
Harlow Experiments
Evolution of Learning
Pavlov
Skill Acquisition
Mapping Behavior

Readings: Chapter 3 & 4
September 27 Major Constraints that Shape Animal Behavior
Feeding & Foraging

Readings: Chapter 6
October 4 Predation
Escape Behaviors
Cryptic Behaviors
Mimicry
Alarm Calling
Balancing Food Foraging and Predator Detection

Readings: Chapter 7
October 11 Reproduction Strategies
Fertilization
r and K Strategists
Animal Courtship
Male and Female Reproductive Tactics

Readings: Chapters 8 & 9
October 18 Mating Systems Defined
Sperm Competition and Mate Guarding
Sons or Daughters?
Parental Investment
Infanticide
Parent-Offspring Conflict
The Extended Family and Allo-Parenting
Life  Spans of Males and Females

Readings: Chapter 10 & 11
October 25 Sons or Daughters?
Parental Investment
Infanticide
Parent-Offspring Conflict
The Extended Family and Allo-Parenting
Life  Spans of Males and Females

Readings: Chapter 11
November 1 Interspecific Cooperation
Recognition of Kin
Altruistic Behavior
Introduction to Eusocial Insects

Readings: Chapter 12
November 8 Presenation on Powzyk's fieldwork
November 15 Social Animals
Eusocial Insects and Haplodiploidy
Naked Mole Rats Olfactory Cues-Peromones
Hormones
Aggression and Stress

Readings: Chapter 14, 15, 17
November 22 Thanksgiving Break
November 29 Competition
Game Theory
Dominance Hierarchies
Territoriality
Peace-making Behaviors
Chimp movie & discussion

Readings: Chapter 13
December 6 Sociobiology
Evolutionary Approach to Human Behavior

Readings: Excerpts from Sociobiology (E.O. Wilson), on reserve in Science Library
December 13 Student presentations
Final Exam To be scheduled