College Seminar (101-7-2)

Topic

Animal Thinking

Instructors

Tracy Hodgson
847/491-4823
Tech Institute, Room MG77

Meeting Info

Technological Institute L158: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Do animals think? Are they self-aware? How can we humans ever hope to find out? Topics for exploration and discussion include: The evolution of cognition; the history and current state of research on animal thinking; how studies of animal thinking may help us better understand human cognition.

Teaching Method

Individual student presentations; group presentations; small group and class discussions; short introductory lectures where necessary to provide background information.

Evaluation Method

Participation in and leadership of group discussions accounts for at least one-quarter of the grade. Written assignments and oral presentations account for the remainder, in proportion to their length. One short research paper (3-4 pages); one long research paper (8-10 pages); one opinion piece (2-3 pages).

Class Materials (Required)

Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are Frans deWaal, 2016, W.W. Norton and Company, ISBN: 978-0-393-35366-2

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration. Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.
Add Consent: Department Consent Required
Drop Consent: Department Consent Required