ANTH 130 - Monkeys, Apes and Us

(3 credits)
This course will provide an introduction to variations among modern nonhuman primates – monkeys, apes and prosimians. The course will examine the social behavior of these animals, drawing links to human behavior that will allow an investigation into primate similarities and differences, and where humans are unique. The origins of cultural behavior, along with diet and morphology, will be explored within an ecological context. The nature of learned behavior, dependence on social relationships for survival, competition for resources and the importance of cultural understanding to achieve goals will be major themes. Evolutionary theory and conservation will provide much of the framework for our studies. Offered spring semester. (CSOC; CSPI, beginning spring 2011)