PRIMATE BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY (Psychology 380-01--Intro. Level) Course instructor: Margaret R. Clarke, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor Department of Psychology Research Scientist, Tulane Primate Center 18703 Covington, LA 70433 Telephone: 1-892-2040 ext. 316 Email: mrclarke@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu Teaching assistant: Marie-Claude Huynen, M.A. Ph.D. Candidate Department of Psychology Email: taude@rs6000.tcs.tulane.edu BACKGROUND: The class is an upper division Psychology course with approximately 30-40 students. It has a prerequisite of Intro to Psych, but I aim the course at students who come in with no primate background (but are expected to learn it all quickly!). The first file is the actual syllabus I handed out, the second file is the one Marie and I use to remember what needs to get done for the next class, which also has some added notes about what worked and what didn't. Also-- the format of this class as once a week has a number of limitations, but the students seem to be adapting reasonably well. (We have all agreed it would be better to do it over shorter time periods, but this is what we have for this term, so make the best of it!) COURSE SUMMARY: This course will familiarize students with the "rules" of and constraints on nonhuman primate social structure, and the diversity and flexibility of primate social behavior. After an introduction to the nonhuman primates (taxonomy and evolutionary history), we will consider ecological influences on social structure and behavior. Then we will explore the theoretical basis for different behavioral "styles" from an evolutionary perspective, ending with a survey of social structure types. Next will be a more detailed examination of different types of behavior (e.g., aggressive, status-related, reproductive) and their functions in primate social groups. While most of the information will come from studies of free-ranging primates, we will end the course with a consideration of studies of captive primates, and information on conservation of nonhuman primate populations. Classes will be supplemented by slides and videos on the appropriate subject. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. To understand the social and physical diversity within the order Primates. 2. To understand the "rules" of social behavior and the ecological influences on behavior. 3. To understand the interplay of natural selection, environment, and behavioral adaptation in nonhuman primates. GRADING: EXAMS: There will be two exams, a mid-term (Oct. 19) and a comprehensive final exam (Dec. 14). The test format will be multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Exam questions will come from lectures, films and required reading. While most questions from lectures and readings should overlap, information presented in slides and videos may be presented only once. Potential essay questions will be distributed prior to each exam, and will be selected randomly at exam time. PAPER: A short paper (5 page double space typed, plus references) on a special topic of interest to each student will be required. Special interest topics can be an in-depth approach to a topic covered in class, a topic of interest in primate studies but not covered in class, or behavioral observations of nonhuman primates. The topic with 5 appropriate references can be handed in at any time before September 28, but the topic must be approved by the Instructor no later than October 5, and the paper will be due November 30. ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be taken, and will count toward the final grade. (The percentage of classes missed will be deducted from the attendance total). TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE: 300 **(percentages same, points changed) Mid-term Exam (30%-90 points) Special Topic paper (20%--60 points) Final Exam (45%--135 points) Attendance (5%--15 points) TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS BOOKS: Required: L.M. Fedigan 1992. Primate Paradigms, Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago. Recommended: B.B. Smuts, D.L. Cheney, R.M. Seyfarth, et al (eds) 1986. Primate Societies. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago. ARTICLES: Required: Dunbar, R.I.M. 1988. pp.33-54 in Primate Social Systems, Cornell University Press, Ithaca NY. Mason, W.A., Mendoza, S.P., 1993. pp. 1-12 (Mason & Mendoza) pp. 13-48 (Mason) and pp 111-127 (deWaal) in Primate Social Conflict, SUNY Press, Buffalo N.Y. Tuttle, R.H. 1990. Apes of the World. American Scientist 78:115-125. Mittermaier, pp. 477-496 in Primate Societies. King, F.A., 1995. Nonhuman primates in research: A review of their crucial role. Lab Animal Science:24:28-32. Note: copies of these articles will be made available to students who cannot get to the Tulane library. Lecture Schedule and Required and Recommended Readings Date Lecture Readings 8/31 Introduction to class syllabus 9/7 Introduction to the Primates REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 1 Taxonomy, Distribution, Evolution Handouts rec: Smuts, Ch. 1. 9/14 Primates in the Ecological REQ: Dunbar article Context (Socioecology) rec: Smuts, Ch. 17-22. 9/21 Evolutionary Context of Social REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 18 Behavior (Sociobiology) rec: Smuts, Ch. 26,31. Fedigan, Ch. 2,3. 9/28 Sexual Selection REQ: Fedigan Ch. 4,17 Primate Social Structure REQ: Fedigan Ch. 5 HAND IN PAPER TOPIC rec. Smuts, Ch. 16,23. 10/5 Aggression & Reconciliation REQ: Mason & Mendoza articles (3). LAST CALL FOR PAPER TOPICS Fedigan, pp 72-80. rec: Smuts, ch. 25,34. 10/12 Dominance and Social Status REQ: Fedigan, Ch.7 rec. Smuts, ch. 32. 10/19 MID-TERM EXAM 10/26 Kinship and Social Organization REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 9 rec: Smuts, ch. 24. 11/2 Reproductive Strategies REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 10 of Males and Females. rec: Fedigan, Ch.11 Smuts, Ch.30, 31. 11/9 Behavioral Development REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 12 rec. Smuts, Ch. 27-29. 11/16 Life in Primate Social Groups: REQ: Fedigan, Ch 14,15,16. Consistency and Variability rec. Smuts, Ch. 2-15. 11/23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY (Papers due soon!) 11/30 Studies of Captive Primates REQ: King article PAPERS DUE AT START OF CLASS 12/7 Primate Conservation REQ: Mittermaier article Tuttle article. 12/14 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION scheduled 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. DATES TO REMEMBER: Hand in paper topic before Sept 28. Paper topic must be approved by Oct. 5 Mid-term Exam is Oct. 19 Paper is due Nov. 30. Final Exam is Dec. 14 at 6:00 PM. (end of student syllabus) __________________________________________________________________ TEACHING MATERIALS FOR PROFESSOR AND TEACHING ASSISTANT LECTURE SCHEDULE AND REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED READINGS: Date Lecture Readings Lecture Source Add'l Aids 8/31 Introduction to class Faculty background, Hand out Syllabus syllabus syllabus, short history of primate behavior 9/7 Introduction to the Lecture 4--Anthro. HANDOUTS Primates: Taxonomy, slides Projector Distribution, Evolution Univ Wis slides Handouts good-(1 hr) REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 1 rec: Smuts, Ch. 1. 9/14 Primates in the Dunbar, Ch. 3, 7 Ecological Context slides REQ: Dunbar article Lewis talk rec: Smuts, Ch. 17-22. Sifaka/Indrii 9/21 Evolutionary Context Anthro lecture 5/6 of Social Behavior slides (Sociobiology) Univ. Wisc. REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 18 (1 hr) rec: Smuts, Ch. 26,31. (use something Fedigan, Ch. 2,3. different) 9/28 Sexual Selection Anthro lecture 5/6 Paper topic- Primate Social Structure time for REQ: Fedigan Ch. 4,17 discussion REQ: Fedigan Ch. 5 (to 9)22 m. Hamadryas rec. Smuts, Ch. 16,23. 1 hr. Green video 10/5 Aggression & Reconciliation Mason, DeWaal. video REQ: Mason & Mendoza 30 m.Arnheim Fedigan, pp 72-80. Chimps rec: Smuts, ch. 25,34. 11 m. Bonobo 10/12 Dominance and Social Fedigan ch. 7 Zucker talk--slides Status patas, rhesus REQ: Fedigan, Ch.7 Sapolsky vid.11m. rec. Smuts, ch. 32. overhead/video 10/19 MID-TERM EXAM 10/26 Kinship and Social Fedigan ch. 9 Kin-nonkin-rhesus Organization Video-social REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 9 primates (to 9) rec: Smuts, ch. 24. slides 11/2 Reproductive Strategies Fedigan ch. 10 VIDEO--Rhesus of of Males and Females. Cayo Santiago REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 12 1 hr. rec: Fedigan, Ch.11 (Kummer-baboon) Smuts, Ch.30, 31. (Wallen/Gordon social primates) 11/9 Behavioral Development Fedigan ch. 12 Howlers REQ: Fedigan, Ch. 12 slides rec. Smuts, Ch. 27-29. 11/16 Life in Primate Social Fedigan, review Huynen talk* Groups: Consistency L'univers social and Variability (video/slides) REQ: Fedigan, Ch 14,15,16. *baboons rec. Smuts, Ch. 2-15. 11/23 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY'S 11/30 Studies of Captive Suomi, Abbott, Coe PAPERS DUE at Primates START OF CLASS REQ: King article Video: PrimeTime Primates Gerone talk slides 12/7 Primate Conservation Mittermaier Wisc. Slides REQ: Mittermaier art. Wisconsin slides Tuttle article. 12/14 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION scheduled 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
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