Instructors: H. Bradley Shaffer and Maureen Ryan, Department of Evolution and Ecology, College of Biological Sciences
Description: This course will explore the evolution and ecology of the human mind, and their consequences for individual identity. We’ll explore questions such as: What are the evolutionary origins of consciousness, self-recognition and human intelligence? How does culture evolve and how does this influence the evolution of genes? Do ecological conditions influence personal beliefs, or the origins of those beliefs? How can the mind influence the body? Working from an evolutionary framework, we will examine the origins of our unique human brain and the relationship between biology and five aspects of individual identity: intelligence/learning, consciousness, culture, religious belief and sexual orientation. Far from an attempt to reduce human complexity to a mechanistic clockwork, this course is designed to explore the unique evolutionary trajectory that has resulted in the human mind, the biological bases of diversity in individual identity, and the ways in which processes within the mind can influence the expression of genetic traits and the ecology of the brain. We have three primary goals for this seminar which can be roughly divided into skills, knowledge and awareness.
Skills: This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of evolution and ecology and how these can be applied to specific problems. The course also implicitly models an interdisciplinary approach to a scientific question by drawing on data from the fields of evolutionary biology, ecology, psychology, and anthropology, to name a few. We hope that the interdisciplinary nature of our discussions may help students seeking direction for a major by exciting their interest in one of these areas.
Knowledge: Our goal is that students will leave this seminar with a deeper understanding of the origins of the human mind and with an excitement for (at best) or recognition of (at least) the role for biological knowledge in cultural understanding and self-knowledge. We expect that students will approach this topic with many preconceptions and look forward to the fertile ground these will provide for discussion and individual learning.
Awareness: A major goal of the course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to recognize the biological underpinnings of human intelligence, behavior, and cultural diversity, and to understand the effects of social ecology and the ecology of the brain on individual thought. We hope that students will apply this knowledge for their own benefit and when considering their own thinking on social problems such as racism, sexism, homophobia and religious intolerance.Format:This seminar will meet for one hour each week. During the first two weeks, discussion will be led by the instructor and will cover basic material in ecology and evolution necessary for future discussions. Starting week three, students will lead discussions. Reading material (book chapters, primary scientific literature and/or scientific reviews) will be provided weekly. Students will be provided with weekly readings (generally one short scientific paper or review and/or a book chapter). There is no text for the course. In addition, each student is expected to lead or co-lead a class discussion once during the quarter, with the assistance of the instructor in preparation. An optional viewing of the CPB series “Guns, Germs and Steel” (based on Jared Diamond’s book) will be offered by the instructor, along with other optional exercises. Grading: Students will be required to prepare a paper (5 pages) on a topic of his/her choice related to the general theme of the course. The course grade will be based on the quality of the written paper (1/3), class presentation (1/3) and class participation (1/3).
About the Instructors:Professor Brad Shaffer is a faculty member in the Section of Evolution and Ecology. Maureen Ryan is a PhD candidate in her fourth year in the Population Biology Graduate Group. Brad and Maureen share a research interest in amphibian and reptile population biology: Dr. Shaffer’s focus is the evolutionary history of salamanders and turtles, and Maureen is doing her dissertation on the evolution and ecology of salamander species interactions. Maureen has an undergraduate degree in English/Cultural Theory and maintains a strong interest in the evolution and ecology of identity. Dr. Shaffer currently teaches courses in Herpetology, Biodiversity, and Phylogenetics. Maureen Ryan has been a teaching assistant for Evolution and Herpetology, and taught Ecology and Mountaineering for three years with the National Outdoor Leadership School.