Anthropology (ANTH) 310

Overview

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).

The midterm and final examinations for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Strier, Karen B. 2007. Primate Behavioral Ecology. 3^rd edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

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.

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the ANTH 310 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.

Paper Exam (3 hours)

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form