Spring 2009

SCIE 614
Primate Behavior

Powzyk,Joyce Ann

01/27/2009 - 05/05/2009
Tuesday 07:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Shanklin 314

The world of primates provides us with a fascinating array of primate forms ranging from the prosimians with their retention of numerous traits that are deemed, "primitive," monkeys, and on up to the lesser and great apes, of which humans are a member. All living primates are modern, having solved a myriad of problems that ultimately end with the passing on of ones genes to the next primate generation. Within the primate guild, there is a gradually complexity in brain size and social group dynamics as we move towards the apes. This course explores the fundamental discussion of what characteristics define a primate, how primates exploit food resources, find suitable habitats, avoid predators, and employ mating strategies that are the social buzz of their social groups. We will finish the course with a detailed discussion of E.O. Wilson's "sociobiology" and whether there is continuity with the behavior our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, and human behavior.

Grades will be based on a mid-term and final exam, classroom discussion, and one scientific paper presentation and critique.

This course is open to auditors.

A syllabus for this course is available at:
Course Syllabus


Joyce Powzyk (B.S. Principia College; Ph.D. Duke University) is visiting assistant professor of biology. She is author with C.B. Mowry of "The Feeding Ecology of Indri indri." In, Gould, L and Sauther, M.L. (eds.) Madagascar's Lemurs: Ecology and Adaptation on an Island of Diversity, Springer, New York, (in review) and is author and illustrator of a variety of books and posters about animals and plants. Click here for more information about Joyce Powzyk.

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

Consent of Instructor Required: No

Format: Seminar

Level: GLSP Credits: 3 Enrollment Limit: 18

Texts to purchase for this course:
Karen Strier, PRIMATE BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY, 3rd Edtion (Allyn and Bacon), Paperback

READING MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE AT BROAD STREET BOOKS, 45 BROAD STREET, MIDDLETOWN, 860-685-7323 Order your books online

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