September 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

LABOR DAY

8

9

10

Intro to Animal Behavior:

Introductory Observation Exercise --What is your definition of “Animal Behavior?”

--Is “Animal Behavior” subject to evolution like other traits?

 

HW: Read When ‘What Animals Do’ Doesn’t Seem to Cover It

11

Course Expectations

 

In class Video Excerpt:

--Interpreting What you see

--Review HW article on Behavior

 

HW: Just Read Squirrel Exercise #1 Observation Skills and Ethogram

12

13

14

Squirrels on Campus—Day 1

Ad Lib Observations

(BUST)

 

HW: Complete Part 2 of

Squirrel Exercise #1 Observation Skills and Ethogram

for Wed

 

 

 

15

 

16

Squirrels on Campus—

Day 2

2nd Attempt to conduct Ad Lib Observations (BUST!!)

Review: Class notes on Quantifying Behavior

 

HW:  Read Alcock textbook pp. 14 – 21 for tomorrow.  We will jump into this discussion if there are no squirrels

 

17

Sorry—Class Cancelled

 

 

HW: Read Alcock textbook Ch. 1 pp. 9-11 & Answer Discussion Question 1.3

Also answer HW questions from pp 14--21

 

18

Squirrels on Campus—

Day 3

If we can find any damn squirrels we will Conduct Focal/Scan Observations & Create an Ethogram

 

 

No HW

 

19

ROSH HASHANAH

 

20

ROSH HASHANAH

 

21

Begin The Evolution of Behavior

 

 

HW: Read Early Canid Domestication & Answer Early Canid Domestication Discussion Questions for tomorrow.

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

The Evolution of Behavior con’t

Discuss Farm Fox Experiment

Early Canid Domestication Discussion Questions

 

HW: Answer Discussion Questions in textbook 1.9, 1.10 & 1.11

We will go over these in class

24

The Evolution of Behavior con’t

 

1. Proximate and Ultimate Explanations in Biology

2. Darwinian Theory and Ultimate Hypothesis

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

27

28

YUM KIPPUR

NO School

 

 

 

29

 

30

Complete Farm-Fox Article

 

 

 

 

 


 

October 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Review for Test Tomorrow

Topics:

1.       Proximate/Ultimate Causation

2.       Evolution of Behavior—Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

3.       What is Behavior?

4.       Methods of Animal Observation: Constructing an Ethogram

2

Test on Evolution of Behavior/ Ultimate & Proximate Causes of Behavior & Methods of Animal Observation (Ethograms)

 

HW: Read Alcock Ch. 3 pp. 63-72

Answer Discussion Questions 3.3



 

 

 

3

4

5

Extra Credit Ultimate Hypothesis Question

 

 

HW: Read Alcock Ch. 4 pp. 107 - 112

Answer Discussion Question 4.2

Read Evolution of Behavior in Gulls for Tues 10/14

 

 

 

 

 

6

7 

Discuss details of Zoo Trip & Zoo Assignment

8         

 

ZOO Trip!

9

Discuss Zoo Data & Zoo Project

 

 

HW: Zoo Project Part I Due Wed Oct 14.  Follow the assignment sheet to complete all the parts of this assignment. 

10

11

12

COLUMBUS DAY

NO School

 

13

14

 

The Development of Behavior

Is it Nature vs. Nurture?

Genes vs. Environment?

(Discuss Readings pp. 63 – 72)

Ch. 3 Development Of Behavior--Learning

 

 

HW: Make sure you’re caught up with the previous reading for this unit & also Read Alcock pp. 97-104

Answer Discussion Question 3.14

 

 

Zoo Project Part I Due Today

 

15

 

How Neurons Control Behavior

Sign Stimulus, Fixed Action Patterns & Instincts

(Discuss Evolution of Behavior in Gulls & Reading pp. 107 – 112)

Ch 4. Fixed Action Patterns

 

The Evolution of Behavior in Gulls (Tinbergen—1960).ppt

 

 

HW: Read the following Articles

--In That Tucked Tail, Real Pangs of Regret

--Led by Robots, Roaches Abandon Instincts

--Lots of Animals Learn, but Smarter Isn’t Better

--Smart, Curious, Ticklish. Rats

 

16

 

The Adaptive Value of Learning

What should Animals learn?

Ch 3 The Adaptive Value of Learning

 

 

HW: Read the following Articles

--Culture in whales and dolphins excerpt

--Dolphin Moms Teach Daughters to Use Tools

--Hot Tub Monkeys invent Culture

 

17

18

19

The Adaptive Value of Learning

-Individual Learning

-Social learning & Culture

-Teaching

(Discuss the articles from Thurs & Friday’s reading)

 

 

20

21

The Adaptive Value of Learning (con’t)

-Individual Learning

-Social learning & Culture

-Teaching

The Kinds of things Animals LEARN

 

HW: The Adaptive Value of Learning Mini-Essay Due 10/28

22

The Adaptive Value of Learning (completed)

 

 

23

Begin in-class Animal Behavior Experiment with test subject

 

 

 

 

24

25

26

 

HW: Complete “Learning” Essay for Wed

27

28

Design & Carry out Termite Experiments

 

HW: Read Text Ch. 7: The Evolution of Feeding Behavior pp. 219 - 231

 

Adaptive Value of Learning Mini-Essay Due Today

29

Begin Ch. 7: The Evolution of Feeding

Observing birds at the feeder

 

HW: Make a graph of today’s foraging data & write a short analysis.  Follow these instructions

30

Foraging: How Animals gather Food

Review Text pp. 219 – 231

Ch. 7 The Evolution of Feeding Behavior

 

HW: Read the intro materials for the Optimal Foraging Game

31


 

November 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2

Optimal Foraging Game

 

HW: Read Textbook Ch. 6 pp. 196 – 200 “The Cost-Benefit Approach to Antipredator Behavior”

 

3

4

Continue Predator & Anti-predator Behavior

Movie: Lions hunting

 

 

HW Read:

1. “Mating for Life?” by Natalie Angier

5

Finish Anti-predator behavior

Ch. 6 Antipredator Behavior

Movie: The Battle at Kreuger National park

 

HW: Read

2. “Monkeyluv” by Robert Sapolsky

3. Myth of Monogamy

(***Correction*** We will go over articles above next week.  Tomorrow we’ll talk about Reproduction in general and get to Mating Systems on Monday.  Sorry about the confusion***)

6

Begin Ch. 10 Evolution of Reproductive Behavior

·         Ch. 10 Sexual Selection Part I

·         Ch. 10 Sexual Selection Part II

HW: Read Textbook

Ch. 10:

329 – 346: Difference in Sex Roles

352 – 359: Sperm Competition & Mate Guarding

363 – 370: Healthy mate, Good Genes & Runaway Selection Theories

(***I know this is a lot of reading—so do the best you can, even if you just skim through some of the examples—We will cover all the material I want you to know in class***)

 

7

8

9

Discuss: Mating Strategies

·         Ch. 11 Mating Systems Puzzle of Male Monogamy

·         Mating for Life

·         Monkeyluv

·         Myth of Monogamy

 

Mating Strategies Articles Discussion Questions—We will go over these in class

 

HW: Read:

1.       Blink Twice if You Like Me

2.       Mating strategies lizards rock paper scissors

3.       Dolphin Courtship Brutal Cunning Complex

4.       Best Ways to Sell Sex

10

11

Continue Mating Systems

 

·         Ch. 11 Mating Systems Summary

 

12

MAD

 

HW: Prepare Written Answers to Mating Strategies Articles Discussion Questions for Monday for Articles III – VII

I will collect them and give them back to you Wed to study from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

College Visiting Day

No Class

 

Midterm Review Sheet

14

15

16

Conclude Mating Systems

·         Mating Systems chart

 

Articles:

4.       Blink Twice if You Like Me

5.       Mating strategies lizards rock paper scissors

6.       Dolphin Courtship Brutal Cunning Complex

7.       Best Ways to Sell Sex

 

Extension—Further Examples for fun

·         southern gastric brooding frog

·         Tuning In To Humpback Whales

 

 

17

18

Review for Midterm

 

19

Review for Midterm

Mating Articles Answers

20

 

In-Class

Midterm Exam

(To Be Discussed)

21

22

23

A fun fun fun fun fun fun MOVIE TBA

 

 

HW: Read Textbook Ch. 12: Evolution of Parental Care pp. 421 – 435; 444 – 449 for next week

24

25

THANKSGIVING RECESS

NO School

 

26

THANKSGIVING RECESS

NO School

 

27

THANKSGIVING RECESS

NO School

 

28

29

30

Begin Jane Goodall & Chimps Video

 

HW: Read

1.       One Thing They Aren't Maternal

2.       Same-Sex Parents in Albatross Colony

3.       Siblicide

 

1

2

Parental Care &Silblicide

Ch.  12 Evolution of Parental Care

 

 

 

HW: Read Ch. 1 “Apes in the Family” of Our Inner Ape, by Frans De Waal

3

Finish Parental Care

 

Finsh watching Jane Goodall & Chimps

 

 

HW: Read Primates: Chimps (Apes)

1.       Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior

2.       Chimps  Food Sharing Chimps

 

 

4

Discuss Chimps!

 

 

 

 

 

HW: Read Primates: Bonobos (Apes)

1.       Bonobo Sex and Society

2.       Bonobos are celebrated as peace-loving, matriarchal, and s…

 

HW: Read Ch. 2 “Power” of Our Inner Ape, by Frans De Waal

5


 

December 2009

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

1

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

6

7

Continue Chimps

Discuss Ch. 1 of Our Inner Ape

 

 

HW: Read Ch. 3 “Sex” of Our Inner Ape, by Frans De Waal

 

 

8

9

Watch “The Last Great Ape” on Bonobos

Discuss Bonobos

 

 

10

Continue Bonobos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

NO School

 

12

13

14

 

Discuss Ch. 2 “Power” : Our Inner Ape

 

 

15

16

 

Discuss Ch. 3: “Sex” Our Inner Ape

 

HW: Read

Primates: Humans (Apes)

I know there are a lot here—but at least skim them all.  The last 3 are all on the same topic, but very interesting

1.       Human Mating Strategies

2.       Study Finds Reproductive Edge for Men With Deep Voices

3.       Waist-hip ratio and IQ | World Front Page

4.       A Conversation with William Lassek

5.       Intelligent humans evolved because of big-hipped ancestors - Telegraph

 

17

 

Finish Discussion of Human Sexual Behavior

 

HW: Read Primates: Baboons (Old World Monkeys)

1.       Pacific Culture Among Baboons

2.       How Baboons Think Yes, Think

18

 

Discuss Baboons & Baboon Culture Article

 

 

HW: Read Ch. 5 “Kindness” Our Inner Ape

 

Work on your Zoo Project Parts II & III!

Due Jan 11!

 

19

20

21

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

22

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

23

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

24

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

25

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

26

 

27

28

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

29

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

30

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

31

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

1

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2010

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

1

WINTER RECESS

NO School

 

2

3

4

Discuss Ch. 5 “Kindness” Our Inner Ape

5

6

Finish Ch. 5 “Kindness” Our Inner Ape

7

Review for Final

HW: Find a video for one or more the behaviors on the review list to show to the class for tomorrow

8

Review for Final

 

 

 

9

10

11

In Class Final Exam

To Be Discussed

 

ZOO Project Part III Due

12

13

14

Last Animal Behavior Class

15

NO Classes

 

16

17

18

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY

NO School

 

 

19

Last Day of Fall Semester

20

First Day of Spring Semester

21

 

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