University Level Course Syllabi
PRIMATE BEHAVIOR AND ECOLOGY (Psychology 380-01--Intro.
Level)
Margaret R. Clarke, Ph.D., Tulane Primate Center
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.
