University of Alberta
PSYCO 391 – Evolutionary Theory in Psychology Section X01
Fall 2018
Instructor: Shannon K. Mischler
Office: BS-P551 (Biological Sciences Building, Psychology wing, must take the psychology elevator to the 5th floor, do not take the stairs).
Office Hours: M W: 8:00-9:00 pm (hour directly after class)
E-mail: [email protected], also [email protected] Web Page: Lecture material will be posted, and can be accessed via eClass
Lecture Room & Time: BSB 121, T: 5:00-7:50pm T.A.: Kina Montenegro
Office: BS-P541 Office Hours: TBA
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description: An introduction to evolutionary psychology; the course will examine the application of evolutionary theory to the field of psychology. Prerequisites:
two 200-level PSYCO courses.
Learning objectives: This course will examine how the biological processes of evolution have shaped human behaviour. The primary objective will be to impart a deep
understanding of how evolutionary processes have impacted human behaviour. This will involve distinguishing between ultimate and proximate levels of analyses and avoiding superficial rejection or acceptance of evolutionary explanations of human psychology.
Course Prerequisites: Prerequisites: two 200-level PSYCO courses. It is important to prepare yourself for this course through a review of the prerequisite material. Students who do not have the required prerequisites at the time of taking this course should not expect supplementary professorial tutoring from the instructor
Required Textbook: Workman and Reader (2014) Evolutionary Psychology (3rd Edition) Cambridge University Press ISBN 978-1- 107-62273-9. This text is required for the course, but students may also use the second edition of the textbook, however page numbers will only be provided for the 3rd edition, and any new material covered in the 3rd edition will be the responsibility of the student to cover.
Grade Evaluation:
COMPONENT WEIGHTING DATE
Weekly Quizzes (Best 10 of 12) 10% (1% each) Weekly
Assignments (Best 4 of 5) 20% (5% each) 1: 11pm on September 17 2: 11pm on October 1 3: 11pm on November 5 4: 11pm on November 26 5: 11pm on December 3
Midterm 35% October 23, 2018
Final Exam* 35% TBA (Dec 10-21)
* Students must verify this date on BearTracks when the Final Exam schedule is posted.
Also there is NO possibility of a re-examination in this course for the final examination.
Format of Quizzes:
Weekly quizzes will consist of 5 multiple-choice questions that are based strictly off the lecture readings assigned for that week. Quizzes will be due the day before class
(Mondays 11:59pm). There is a strict policy that quizzes are not accepted after the due date and will be given a grade of zero. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. Only the best 10 of 12 will count towards your final grade. Quizzes are open-book, 30 minutes in duration, and are submitted through e-class. You can still complete the quizzes with the second edition of the textbook.
Format of Assignments:
Assignments will typically revolve around an assigned reading and may be in either a
‘quiz’ format (multiple choice, matching and short answer), or a ‘thought paper’ format (700 word max). Information about the assignments will be posted on e-class and you will submit assignments through e-class. There is a strict policy that late assignments will not be accepted and given a grade of zero. There are no make-ups for a missed assignment. Only the best 4 of 5 assignments will count towards your final grade.
Format of Exams:
The midterm and final exam will be based on both lecture material and assigned readings from the textbook. Both exams will be approximately 75% multiple choice and 25%
short-answer. The final will focus primarily on material covered in the second half of the course. Although the final is not cumulative, foundational concepts from the first half of the course do carry-over to the second half of the course
Tentative Lecture Schedule & Assigned Readings:
The assigned readings below are a general outline. Check the OWL for the updates and more specific information about that week’s readings that are required for the weekly quiz.
Week Date Topic Readings & Assignments
1 September 4 Introduction Evolution Chapter 1
2 September 11 Natural Selection Human Origins
Chapter 2; Pgs. 90-96 (3Rd Edition) Assignment 1: Due September 17 @ 11pm 3 September 18 Sexual Selection Chapter 3; parts of Chapter 4
4 September 25 Human Mate Choice Chapter 4
Assignment 2 Due: October 1 @ 11pm
5 October 2 Cognitive Development Chapter 5
6 October 9 Social Development Kin Selection and families
Chapter 6; Chapter 7
7 October 16 Cooperation and Reciprocity
Chapter 8
8 October 23 Midterm Exam (Material covered in week 7 will not be on the midterm test)
9 October 30 Evolution, Cognition and Memory
Chapter 9
Assignment 3 Due: November 5 @ 11pm 10 November 6 Emotion, Competition and
Violence Individual Differences
Chapter 11, Chapter 13
11 November 13 Darwinian Medicine Psychopathology
Chapter 12
Assignment 4 Due: November 26 @11pm
12 November 20 NO CLASS Reading week
13 November 27 Language Chapter 10
14 December 4 Cultural Evolution Biogeography and Human
History
Chapter 14
Assignment 5 Due: December 3 @11pm
STATEMENTS:
Missed Term Exams and Assignments: For an excused absence where the cause is religious belief, a student must contact the instructor(s) within three days of the start of Fall classes to request accommodation for the term (including the final exam, where relevant). Instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the student request.
A student who cannot write a term examination or complete a term assignment due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons must contact the instructor within 48 hours to assess the reasons for the absence and to determine whether a deferred midterm or assignment can be granted. In all cases, instructors may request adequate documentation to substantiate the reason for the absence at their discretion.
Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Deferred Final Examination: A student who cannot write the final examination due to incapacitating illness, severe domestic affliction or other compelling reasons can apply for a deferred final examination. Students who failed at the start of term to request exam accommodations for religious beliefs are expected to follow the normal deferred final examination process. Such an application must be made to the student’s Faculty office within two working days of the missed examination and must be supported by
appropriate documentation or a Statutory Declaration
(http://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=20&navoid=4939#Attendance). Deferred examinations are a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferred
examination will be granted. Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferred examination is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.
Final deferred exam date will be January 8th at 5pm, location TBA.
Territorial Statement: “The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.” (from the beginning of the Calendar).
University of Alberta Sexual Violence Policy The Sexual Violence Policy was approved by GFC in June 2017. It plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and respectful learning and working environment. As defined in the policy, sexual violence is any sexual act or act of a sexual nature, or act targeting sexuality, whether physical or psychological, committed without consent. Sexual violence is a complex and serious problem in society and on university campuses. Sexual violence can affect individuals of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations, as well as those from all ages, abilities, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. Through this policy, the
University of Alberta recognizes its responsibility to reduce sexual violence in the
effects of trauma on those who have experienced sexual violence and supports the efforts of individuals to seek support and recover. To read the policy in more detail, please visit:
https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Policies/Sexual-Violence-Policy.pdf
GRADING DISTRIBUTION 90.00-100 : A+
87.00-89.99: A 84.00-86.99: A- 80.00-82.99: B+
77.00-79.99: B 73.00-76.99: B- 68.00-72.99: C+
63.00-67.99: C 58.00-62.99: C- 55.00-57.99: D+
50.00-54.99: D
<50 : F
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: "The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the
provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour, which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University."
All forms of dishonesty are unacceptable at the University. Any offence will be reported to the Associate Dean of Science who will determine the disciplinary action to be taken.
Cheating, plagiarism and misrepresentation of facts are serious offences. Anyone who engages in these practices will receive at minimum a grade of zero for the exam or paper in question and no opportunity will be given to replace the grade or redistribute the weights. As well, in the Faculty of Science the sanction for cheating on any examination will include a disciplinary failing grade (NO EXCEPTIONS) and senior students should expect a period of suspension or expulsion from the University of Alberta.
EXAMS: Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. Students will not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in progress for 30 minutes.
Students must remain in the exam room until at least 30 minutes has elapsed. Electronic equipment cannot be brought into examination rooms and hats should not be worn CELL PHONES: Cell phones are to be turned off during lectures, labs and seminars.
Cell phones are not to be brought to exams.
STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED
ACCOMMODATIONS (students registered with Student Accessibility Services - SAS): Eligible students have both rights and responsibilities with regard to accessibility- related accommodations. Consequently, scheduling exam accommodations in accordance with SAS deadlines and procedures is essential. Please note adherence to procedures and deadlines is required for U of A to provide accommodations. Contact
SAS (www.ssds.ualberta.ca) for further information.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTRE: Students who require additional help in developing strategies for better time management, study skills or examination skills should contact the Student Success Centre (2-300 Students’ Union Building).
RECORDING AND/OR DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE MATERIALS: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer:Any typographical errors in this Course Outline are subject to change and will be announced in class. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
Copyright: Dr. Shannon K. Mischler, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta (2018)