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Science and Human Nature COR
401(03), Spring 2005 |
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Instructor: Dr. Roarke
Donnelly Classroom: Hearst 112 (Goslin 229 if lab) Day and time: TuTh 10:00am - 11:15am
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Overview This course explores how science informs current thinking on human nature. Starting from the scientific method and basic genetic principles, it emphasizes how evolutionary mechanisms have shaped human behavior and society. This
course is comprised of two class periods per week. A typical class period
will include lecture and discussion. On a few occassions, we will spend
the entire class period completing a laboratory exercise. Objectives: After
completing this course, you will:
I
encourage you to attend all class periods because students with better
attendance records learn more of the course content and achieve higher
grades than students who are frequently absent. You are, however,
permitted four unexplained absences from class. This total includes
any class period to which you are more than 10 minutes late. I will
issue you a written warning during the class period following your fourth
absence. With a fifth absence, I will give you the option of voluntary
withdrawal or a grade of "F" unless I deem the absence legitimate
and documented. In the rare case that your fifth absence immediately
follows your fourth absence, you will not receive written warning that
you have collected three absences. If you provide advance warning of
an absence, I am more likely to find your excuse legitimate. Social,
extra-curricular, sporting, and work events do not constitute legitimate
excuses. You must attend an entire laboratory exercise in order to receive
credit for an associated lab writeup. This last rule holds even if you
have not used all of your unexplained absences or have a legitimat On Thursay of each week, I will give you a schedule that lists when readings are due during the following week. In most cases, I will provide you with a photocopy of the reading at the same time. You must purchase the Dawkins and Ridley books preceded with asterisks in the list below. Lively discussion
is critical to the success of this course. Therefore, you are required
to participate in discussions of required readings. If you occassionally
contribute to discussion in a positive manner, your final grade will
be based solely on the exercises listed in the activity table in the
grading section. Before participating in a class discussion of a reading, I highly recommend that you thoroughly read the assigned text and answer the following three questions:
I am likely to assign
You must complete
a weekly quiz at the beginning of seven Tuesday class periods. The tentative
schedule indicates when the quizzes fall during the semester. Exam Exams
are composed of roughly 50% long essay questions and 50% fill in the
blank, matching, multiple choice, short essay, and other short answer
questions. Exam 1 covers material presented since the first day of class.
Exam 2 covers material presented since Exam 1. Exam 3 is cummulative,
but emphasizes material presented since Exam 2. I do not offer makeup
tests without a legitimate documented excuse. Laboratory
Exercises and Reports You must observe the following rules while in the lab facilities: wear shoes, do not smoke, do not eat, and do not drink. If you repeatedly fail to follow these rules, you will not pass the course. I
will provide a guide to the lab exercise during the class period immediately
before the lab. During the lab, I will provide instructions on how to
complete the associated lab report. You must submit a hardcopy of a
typed or word processed lab report after each lab exercise (see grading).
Reports are due one week from completion of the lab (e.g., if completed
on a Tu, then due the next Tu) at the beginning of the class period.
I will automatically deduct 4 points You must include an affirmation of the honor code (see the O Book) to receive credit for documents related to all course activities. If you have any questions about the honor code, I strongly encourage you to reread the code and ask me questions. The final day to withdraw from this course with a "W" is 3/25/05. For information on “Incomplete” grades, please refer to the most recent Bulletin. I do not provide opportunities for extra credit. I
will evaluate all assignments with associated point values based on
the degree to which you understand, use, present, and analyze concepts
from class and extensions from those concepts. You are required to make
logical connections between concepts that are presented independently
and to draw novel conclusions from those connections. When submitting
written work, you must write in complete sentences, make logical arguments,
and use clear and concise English grammar. I
award points for activities as follows:
*This is the minimum number of lab reports. I may assign one more lab reports. **This is the minimum number of exercises. I may assign up to two more exercises. I
assign grades based on the following scale:
*May vary by +/- 3% based on participation (see attendance). From
the Professor If
you have a disability and need accomodations or if I can help with anythings
else, please talk with me after class, during office
hours, schedule an appiontment, or catch me in my office. From
Other Students Ask
your peers if they would like to form a study group that meets regularly. From
University Services If
you need assistance with your internet account, please contact Network
Services ([404] 364-8518) If
you need tutoring or help with study skills, please contact the Academic Resources Center (Dr. Knippenberg [404] 364-8341). |
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Last Updated: |
Contact the instructor at: rdonnelly@oglethorpe.edu |