Tues.& Thurs. 9:30-10:50 am
Place: MFAC 355
Instructor: Dr. Carol Berman Phone: 645-2087
Office: 165 Spaulding
Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 pm

Description:

In this course we will describe the life cycles of various primate species, the biological and social problems they face (e.g., finding a place to live, finding food, finding protection from predators, growing up within a complex social group, finding mates, and rearing young who can survive and reproduce), and the solutions to these problems. Throughout the survey, we will examine the ways scientists have extracted general principles of behavior from the data, particularly those that are concerned with evolutionary processes. Methods of research used in the field will be emphasized, although laboratory studies will also be discussed where they lead to a greater understanding of the data from the field.

In addition, issues of particular interest to human social evolution will be discussed; for example, language studies with apes, cooperative hunting and tool-making. Finally, we will assess both the benefits and dangers of comparing the social behavior of human and nonhuman primates.

Requirements:

Class Participation. You must attend and participate actively in class (e.g. ask questions, make comments) in order to do well in the course. I will take attendance. If any student has more than two unexcused absences, his/her grade for class participation will suffer. Class participation will be worth 10% of the grade.

Quizzes and exams. There will be two in-class exams and one quiz. The first quiz (about Oct. 2) will be worth 20% of your final grade. The first exam (about Nov. 4) and the second exam (Dec. 4) will be worth 35% each. Each test will consist of definitions, short answers and short essays. Exams will be non-cumulative and cover the lectures, the reading, the films and slide shows. Make up exams will be given only in the case of illness. Documentation from a physician is required.

Reading. The main text for the course is Primate Societies edited by Barbara Smuts et al. (see 'Text' in Schedule below). You can buy it at Talking Leaves Bookstore, 3158 Main Street, Buffalo. There will also be a number of extra readings on particular topics that will be posted on the Library's on-line reserve. Most of them will be from The Nonhuman Primates, edited by P. Dolhinow and A. Fuentes (see 'D&A' in Schedule below). To access the extra readings, you will need to get into Wings on the internet (http://wings.buffalo.edu), click on Libraries, then click on UB Libraries Catalog, then on Connect via the Web, then on Course Reserve. Fill in the course number, and follow the instructions to view and print particular articles.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE