PSY 3363-001: Evolution of Behavior

Course Syllabus

Spring 2006: M/W 3:30-4:45pm, GR 4.204

Dr. T.G.R. Bower email: bower@utdallas.edu Office: GR 4.802b
Hours:

Mon. Jan.9 Introduction to Course/Syllabus/General Overview

Evolution and the genes
Readings: p1, 2, 3-11

Wed. Jan.11 Survival of the Fittest,

Readings: Le Fanu p34, IQ change p22, bird brains p162

Mon. Jan.16 No Class - MLK Day J

Wed. Jan. 18 Survival of the Selfish/Altruism

Readings: “First Kill all the Babies” p40, “The Selfish Gene”p37, p46

Mon. Jan.23 Survival of the Sexiest; Runaway Evolution

Readings: p12-24, p24-33
Hidden fitness p.92-95

Wed. Jan.25 Innate vs. Learned Behaviors, Genes, Deprivation Experiments, King James 2 of
Scotland
Readings: Lorenz King Solomon’s Ring, Deprivation experiments p59-63

Mon. Jan.30 Innate vs. Learned Behaviors: vacuum activity

Readings: Lorenz King Solomon’s Ring
Test #1 Handed Out

Wed. Feb.1 Role of the stimulus, Sign stimuli, Supernormal Stimuli

Readings: Tinbergen p64-77, p165 Thorpe

Mon. Feb.6 Sign stimuli, supernormal stimuli, and human attractiveness

Readings: p92, p78-89, p91, p2, p90

Wed. Feb.8 Controversies.

Mon. Feb.13 Discussion

Wed. Feb.15 Test due (no class)

Mon. Feb.20 Mating Strategies

Readings: Gould & Gould “Sexual Strategies”

Wed. Feb.22 Mating Strategies in Humans

“Dani sexuality: a low energy system Perper
p163, p164, p160, p126, p107, p106
Mon. Feb.27 Promiscuity and Counter Strategies in Animals
Readings: “Manwatching: A field guide to human behavior” and “Biology of
Beauty” p127

Wed. March 1 Promiscuity and Counter Strategies in Humans

(Dr Tatiana is best BUT you do not have to buy her)

Mon. March 6 Spring Break J

Wed. March 8 Spring Break J

Mon. March 13 Mating Strategies in Humans

Reading: The Red Queen p140

Wed. March 15 Imprinting: neither learned nor innate? ANNA

Readings: Lorenz KSR

Mon. March 20 continued ANNA

Wed. March 22 no class (continued) -- Test #2 Handed Out

Mon. March 27 Review Session

Wed. March 29 Test #2 due (no class)

Mon. April 3 Extinction

Readings: “Extinction: bad genes or bad luck?”(Leakey is very relevant here)

Wed. April 5 Extinction

Readings: “How man began”

Mon. April 10 Extinction

Readings: “Return of the man-killing microbes” p34

Wed. April 12 Extinction -- Test #3 Handed Out

Mon. April 17 Review Session

Wed. April 19 Review Session

Mon. April 24 Final paper due (no class) -- Freedom! J

Required text is King Solomon’s Ring by Konrad Lorenz, as well as a packet of required readings
available from Off Campus Books, 581 W. Campbell Road, near Braum’s (972/907-8398).
Very highly recommended: Dr Tatiana’s…………...all creation by Olivia Judson
Highly recommended reading: The Sixth Extinction by Robert Leakey

Tests will be essays based on the readings and lectures -- may be short (half-page or more to a max. of 5
pages per test). APA format should be used. Bonus questions may be offered. For writing 1 page=100pts

TA: Anna Cherkashina email: aac031000@utdallas.edu