Current controversies in animal behaviour
Animal behaviours are incredibly diverse. But determining what a behaviour ‘means’ (why is an animal doing a specific behaviour) and how a behaviour is best studied can be challenging. As a result, there is often vigorous debates about the interpretation, methods and ethics associated with research on animal behaviour. In this course you will engage in a series of debates to explore some of the current controversies in the field of animal behaviour.
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Source: Charles J. Sharp, Wikipedia Commons
Should researchers study animal personalities? Are complex behaviours transmitted within a group through animal cultures or primarily shaped by an animal’s genes? Can we apply sexual selection theory equally to females and males? Questions like these are regularly debates in the field. In this course, you will be presented with topic that are actively being debated and you will examine the different sides of the issue. This course will help you develop your literacy of the scientific literature and let you practice discussing scientific ideas.
In this course you will develop arguments for or against a specific topic. You will be required to develop your arguments with specific evidence from the scientific literature. Ultimately, this is what you will do when preesnting your MSc thesis – so this course is designed to give you some experience in presenting and debating scientific concepts.
Teaching Format
Each week, you will have lectures introducing the main points of a debate topic. You will then be divided into groups to learn more about the topic and develop arguments for and against a specific debate questions based on the scientific literature. At the end of the week you will be orally debate the topic with other students.
Assessment
Students will be assessed using examinations, oral presentations, written reports and class participation.
Examiner
John Fitzpatrick
E-mail: john.fitzpatrick@zoologi.su.se
No mandatory course literature.
