PN4107 Evolution of Human Behaviour and Culture

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to undergraduate students in their second year of Honours. Also available to postgraduate students on MSc in Evolutionary and Comparative Psychology: the Origins of Mind.

Planned timetable

Seminars: Tuesdays 11-1

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof G R Brown

Prof G R Brown
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Gillian Brown

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The aim of this module is to explore how evolutionary theory is being used to study human behaviour. This research field has a long and controversial history, stretching back to the work of Charles Darwin. After this history has been briefly described, the module will focus on four modern, evolutionary approaches to human behaviour, namely Human Behavioural Ecology, Evolutionary Psychology, Cultural Evolution and Gene-Culture Co-Evolution. These sub-fields differ in their underlying assumptions about how the human mind has evolved. Each field will be critically evaluated, and the potential for integrating these sub-fields will be assessed. The types of questions that will be covered include 'does the mind consist of domain-specific modules', 'do mate preferences differ between the sexes', and 'has human culture altered the direction of human evolution'? The module will consist of lectures, small group discussions, and student presentations.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE BL4280

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework (resubmission of failed components)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hours x 10 weeks

Intended learning outcomes

  • "By the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the human evolutionary behavioural sciences."
  • "By the end of the module, students will be able to understand the core concepts of this field and will have engaged with key areas of debate."
  • "By the end of the module, students will be able to describe and critically evaluate examples of recent empirical research."
  • "By the end of the module, students will be able to construct a coherent, logical argument supported by empirical findings."