Primate Behavior: The Real Monkey Business
BIOL 146
Spring 2025
| Section:
01
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This course will explore primate behavior starting with an overview of primate ancestry as gleaned from the fossil record. How has evolution shaped these different primate species, and what underlying mechanisms have fueled their behavioral repertoires? The major selection pressures on primates will be investigated together with parental care, self-medication, and Machiavellian intelligence. The class will also examine theoretical models explaining the evolution of the oversized human brain by Geoffrey Miller and how the advent of cooked foods supported a large brain mutation (Richard Wrangham). In addition, we will take the lessons learned from these aforementioned primate studies to determine how this knowledge can work toward the preservation and conservation of our nonhuman primate relatives. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM BIOL |
| Course Format: Lecture | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Less than 50% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
TBA
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Examinations and Assignments:
Midterm Exam, Final Exam, and Research Paper Presentation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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| Instructor(s): Powzyk,Joyce Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 3 | FR: 6 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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