J.Alcock, Ethology. VIII Ed.
Available in the library. Readings and additional arguments on the site.
Learning Objectives
To frame the diversity of animal behavior inside an evolutionary and developmental background, with an appropriate terminology.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of biology, genetics and statistics.
Teaching Methods
Evolutionary and developmental processes and behavior, animal and human, are analyzed in detail, the experiments discussed in an historical background.
Further information
Seminars on specific issues of animal behaviour: play, dream, mind, juvenile bahaviour and aging.
Type of Assessment
Written examination with open questions; for students who attend the course (max N=20-25) PP at the end of the course,
Course program
The corse is focussed on the evolutionary approach to animal and human behaviour, i.e. the adaptive value of a behavioural trait, its historical basis, its costs and benefits in terms of Darwinian fitness. The main topic is the evolution of sex dimorphism: male and female reproductive strategies, mating systems, parental care, human sexual behaviour and family in a sociobiological perspective.