BCSC 183: Lecture Schedule

(Order & topic of lectures may be subject to (minor) change. Any changes will be announced ahead of time via Blackboard/email. Readings must be completed ahead of the class they are listed next to.)

Only students who are enrolled in the course may access the course readings online. You must be logged into Blackboard to download these materials.

Date
Topic
Reading
08/25
Introduction/Orientation
 
08/27
History & Philosophy of Ethology
 
09/01
Labor Day – no class
 
09/03
Evolution & the Comparative Method
 
09/08
Sensory Systems
 
09/10
Learning
 
09/15
Journal Club 1: Cross-modal learning
Solvi et al., 2020
09/17
Exam 1
 
09/22
Memory
 
09/24
Navigation
 
09/29
Time, Number & Planning
 
10/01
Categories & Concepts
 
10/06
Journal Club 2: Future planning
Mulcahy & Call, 2016
10/08
Exam 2
 
10/13
Fall Break – no class
 
10/15
Physical Cognition
 
10/20
Tool Use
 
10/22
Social Learning
 
10/27
Culture & Cumulative Culture
 
10/29
Journal Club 3: Cultural transmission of tool use
Hobaiter et al., 2014
11/03
Exam 3
 
11/05
Communication & Language
 
11/10
Film: Project Nim (Part 1)
 
11/12
Film: Project Nim (Part 2 & discussion)
 
11/17
Social Cognition
 
11/19
Collective cognition
 
11/24
Swarm Intelligence
 
11/26
Thanksgiving - No class
 
12/01
Metacognition & Consciousness
 
12/03
Journal Club 4: Theory of Mind in Animals?
Krupenye et al., 2016
12/08
Exam 4