Course Calendar

Wk 1 (Jan 11-13): Introduction. What is a primate, where do they live, and why study them? Evolutionary theory. Readings: Boyd and Silk chapter 1.

Wk 2 (Jan 18-20): Primate diversity. Readings: Boyd and Silk 2&3. Films: "Life in the trees," & "Gombe Baboons."

Wk 3 (Jan 25-27): Evolution and phylogenetics. Readings: Boyd and Silk 4&5. Mini-Assignment #1 (Thursday).

Wk 4 (Feb 1-3): Infanticide. Group size and structure. Ranging. Evolution of behavior. Readings: Boyd and Silk 6&7. Quiz #1 (Thursday).

Wk 5 (Feb 8-10): Communication. Life History. Readings: Boyd and Silk 8.

Wk 6 (Feb 15-17): Mating systems. Sexual dimorphism. Estrus cycles. Quiz # 2 (Thursday).

Wk 7 (Feb 22-24): Parenting. Film: "People of the Forest." Kinship.

Wk 8 (Feb 29-Mar 2): Psychology. The great apes. Readings: Boyd and Silk 9. Mini-Assignment #2 (Thursday).

Wk 9 (Mar 7-9): Chimp cultures. War & Peace. Film: "The New Chimpanzees."

Wk 10 (Mar 14-16): Play. Film: "Rhesus play." Mid-term exam (Thursday).

Wk 11 (Mar 21-23): Language. Film: "Washoe." Readings: Boyd and Silk 15. Quiz #3 (Thursday).

Wk 12 Spring Break!

Wk 13 (Apr 4-6): Primate evolution. Readings: Boyd and Silk 10.

Wk 14 (Apr 11-13): Hominid evolution. Film: "Bones of contention." Readings: Boyd and Silk 11&12

Wk 15 (Apr 18-20): Hominids continued. Readings: Boyd and Silk 13&14. Quiz #4 (Thursday).

Wk 16 (Apr 25-27): Human sexuality. Readings: Boyd and Silk 17, 18&19.

Wk 17 (May 3) Final exam 8:00-10:00 (Wednesday).

Early human