ANSC 330: Primatology
Prerequisite: BIOL 131 or ANSC 101 and ANSC 201
Cross-Listed: BIOL 330
Credit Hours: (3)
A survey of both living and past primates as unique members of the animal kingdom.
It includes discussions of general primate characteristics, taxonomy of living primates,
primate behavior and primate (including human) evolution.
Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course. Students cannot receive credit for both ANTH 330 and ANSC 330.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Humans belong to a unique, but highly diversified Order within the animal kingdom known as Primates. The biological and behavioral features all primates share in common as well as the variability in the expression of these features are the focus of this course. Students will not only examine biological and behavioral aspects of living primates but will trace the evolutionary development of these phenomena through a detailed consideration of primate fossil material. The ultimate goal of such a broad outline of study is to give students a better understanding of what it means to be a primate. A more detailed outline of the course is as follows:
1. A review of general features which distinguish primates from other mammals in the
animal kingdom.
2. A taxonomic survey of all major groups of primates (Prosimians, New World Monkeys,
Old World Monkeys, Apes, and Humans) in terms of their geographic dis- tribution,
ecological habitat, dietary preferences, and postural (locomotor) adaptations.
3. A detailed comparison of humans to other primates (especially apes) in terms of
anatomical and behavioral
similarities and differences.
4. Behavioral studies of primarily free-ranging primates.
5. Primate origins by reviewing the fossil evidence through 65 million years of prehistory.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Lectures on primates will be supplemented by slides and hands-on manipulation of comparative skeletal material demonstrating primate anatomy. Primate behavior will be assessed not only by having students read numerous research articles (primary sources) on this subject but also by viewing films illustrating aspects of primate social behavior.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
This course is designated as R (Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning) Area for the REAL Curriculum and fulfills the learning goal: To apply scientific and quantitative reasoning to questions about the natural world, mathematics, or related areas. Students will fulfill the learning outcomes in this area: apply scientific and quantitative information to test problems and draw conclusions and evaluate the quality of data, methods, or inferences used to generate scientific and quantitative knowledge.
This course may be applied to the REAL Studies Minor in Scientific/Quantitative Reasoning.
1. Students will be given a better understanding of the origin, development, and variability
of primates (including humans) as unique members of the animal kingdom.
2. Students will be encouraged to engage in an anthropological approach to the study
of both living and past primates by focusing on such diverse topics as primate morphology,
anatomy, evolutionary origins, and behavioral similarities and differences.
3. Students will be presented a broad but detailed survey of the Order Primates.
Assessment Measures
In addition to regular in-class examinations (both objective and essay form) on lecture topics, a research paper will also be required. This paper must explore some aspect of primate anatomy, adaptation, behavior, or evolutionary development.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
January 2004
December, 2009
Revised: March 20, 2012
August 2021