Cognitive Science 0216 - Animal Behavior I

Fall
2016
1
4.00
Sarah Partan;Mark Feinstein
09:00AM-11:50AM F
Hampshire College
321116
Franklin Patterson Hall ELH
srpCS@hampshire.edu;mhfCCS@hampshire.edu
This is the first of a two-course sequence exploring the main theoretical ideas and methods of ethology, the scientific study of animal behavior. In this first semester we explore the functional and evolutionary bases of animal behavior and cognition, including altruism, social behavior, communication, and anti-predator behavior. Students will also learn and put into practice some of the ways that ethologists observe, record and measure behavior outdoors in the natural world. The main reading and discussion material for the course will be drawn from the first half of John Alcock's textbook, Animal Behavior, supplemented by journal articles from the professional scientific literature. Two summary/critique papers on the journal articles will be required, along with a report on a public lecture relevant to the themes of the course, and a full-length term paper on a species and research topic of the student's choosing. The final project will be presented to the whole class either orally or in a poster session. Subsequent enrollment in the second semester of the sequence is encouraged but not required.
Mind, Brain, and Information Physical and Biological Sciences Writing and Research Quantitative Skills In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.
Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.