This course examines the behaviour and evolution of modern non-human primates. Primates include monkeys, apes, lemurs and other prosimians, and people. Understanding other primates helps us to contextualize the behaviour, culture and language, and biology of our own species, as well as being fascinating in its own right. Video materials allow the student to observe the behaviour of several different species.
Outline
ANTH 310 is organized into eleven units, listed below.
Unit 1: What is Primatology?
Unit 2: Introduction to the Order Primates
Unit 3: Evolution and Behaviour
Unit 4: Sex, Evolution, and Social Organization
Unit 5: Food, Sex, and Social Organization
Unit 6: Living in Groups: Female Strategies
Unit 7: Sociosexual Behaviour: Male Strategies
Unit 8: Primate Life Histories and Development
Unit 9: Primate Communication and Cognition
Unit 10: Community Ecology
Unit 11: Primate Conservation
Evaluation
Your final grade in Anthropology 310: Primate Behaviour is based on the grades you achieve on a telephone quiz, two written assignments, and two examinations. To receive credit for this course, you must complete both examinations, achieving a minimum grade of 50 percent (D) on each examination, and a minimum composite course grade of at least D (50 percent).
Activity
Weight
Telephone Quiz
5%
Assignment 1
15%
Midterm Exam
25%
Assignment 2
20%
Final Exam
35%
Total
100%
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Strier, Karen B. 2017. Primate Behavioral Ecology. 5th edition. Boston, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. (Print)
Other Materials
The course materials also include a study guide.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ANTH 310 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.