Anthropology 301

Primate Behavior
Fall 2007
Instructor: Professor Meredith Montagne
Email: mmontagne@fullerton.edu
Office: MH 175
Office Phone Number: (714) 278- 3706
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00 11:00 am
Thursday 10:00 11:00 am, 2:30 3:00 pm, 5:30 6:30 pm
Class Meetings: Section 6 : TR 11:30am 12:45pm
Section 4: R 7:00 9:45pm
Required Text:
Strier, Karen. 2007. Primate Behavioral Ecology. 3rd edition. Allyn & Bacon.
Additional Materials:
Three Scantrons
Number 2 pencils
Watch or other timing device with seconds indicator
Course Description:
This course is designed to review the Primate Order from an evolutionary perspective. We will focus on
primate taxonomic classifications, behavior, morphology, ecology, and conservation. We will touch on
the evolution of social behavior, language, and cognition. In addition, research methods frequently used
by primatologists to collect and analyze data will be discussed and demonstrated by class participants.
All aspects will be reviewed as they relate to the evolution of humankind.
Course Prerequisite:
Anthropology 101,102, or Psychology 101 or completion of General Education III.A.2.
Objectives:
To gain familiarity with primate taxonomy, social organization, behavior, and reproductive
strategies through the use of case studies
To identify morphological and behavioral differences and similarities between human and
nonhuman primates
To learn and demonstrate data collection techniques
To demonstrate writing a scientific report
To promote awareness of issues surrounding primate conservation
To improve reading, writing, listening, and communication skills
This course fulfills the General Education Requirements III. A. 3 Implications and Exploration in
Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The following goals have been taken from the CSUF Course
Catalog 2007-2009 page 602
To understand broad, unifying themes in mathematics and/or science
from cross disciplinary perspectives.
To solve complex problems that require mathematical and/or scientific
reasoning.

To relate mathematics and/or science to significant social problems or

to other related disciplines.
When deemed appropriate, to apply disciplinary concepts from
mathematics and the natural sciences in a variety of settings, such as
community-based learning sites and activities.

Course Requirements:
Reading assignments are expected to be complete prior to the start of each class session. The
assigned chapters are chosen to complement lecture material; therefore, reading the assigned
material will assist in your understanding of the topics presented and promote class discussion.

The midterms and final exam questions could range from multiple choice, true/false, matching, or
short answer/ essays. Questions will be based on material from assigned readings, class lectures
and discussions, and films/videos shown in class. Short answer /essays should answer the
question asked in a clear and concise manner in order to obtain full credit. The final will be
cumulative; however, the majority of questions will focus on material presented after the second
midterm. During the exams, cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off. Do not
ask to be excused during the exam for any reason unless you have turned in your examination.

Make up exams. Make-up exams will only be given if an emergency arises and you are unable to
attend class. If this occurs, proper documentation explaining your absence will be required
before a make-up exam will be offered. Make-up exams will differ from the original exam. You
will only have one opportunity to make up the exam; therefore, if you do not show up to the
agreed time and location, you will receive a zero as your score.

Video Worksheets are in- class assignments. The videos are selected to reinforce the lecture
material. The worksheets will be submitted at the end of the class period. You must complete the
entire worksheet in order to receive credit. We will discuss the answers after every video. If any
portion is unanswered you will receive a zero on the assignment. You will receive a check mark
() indicating that you have received full credit. At the end of the semester the number you
completed out of the number assigned will be computed as a percent. The number of points out
of 25 that are equivalent to the percentage will be recorded as your score. For example, if you
complete 8 out of 10 worksheets, you have an 80%. So, your score will be 20 out of 25, which is
equivalent to 80%. Absolutely NO make-up videos will be offered.

Practice Data Collection: The majority of this assignment will be completed in class.
Completion of this assignment will prepare you for the actual Zoo Assignment. A detailed
description of this assignment will be issued during the semester.

Zoo Assignment: You have the following options to complete this assignment:

Option 1: Visit a local facility caring for primates. While you are at the facility, you will
be required to observe and record behaviors on nonhuman primates. The CSUF waiver
(to be distributed) must be signed prior to visiting the facility. ***

Option 2: Video(s). I will place video(s) on reserve in the library. Only videos that I
have selected can be used for this assignment. ***

***A more detailed description of this assignment will be issued during the semester.***

Extra Credit will be offered at the instructors discretion. Regardless of the number of extra
credit opportunities offered or completed, no student will be able to exceed 10 points of extra
credit for the semester. In other words, the maximum amount of extra credit will be 10 points for
the entire course.

Assignments: All assignments must be turned in as a hardcopy in class on the day the assignment
is due. All assignments (with the exception of the Video Worksheets) must be typed.
NO handwritten assignments will be accepted.
o Do not place assignments in my box or slip them under my door. If you are
unable to attend class on the day an assignment is due, you may email the
assignment to me, however, I will only look to see that it was submitted prior to
the beginning of class the day it is due. In order to receive credit, you must print
a hard copy and turn it in to me the next class session. Any later then the next
class period and it will be considered late.
o

Late assignments will be accepted; however, the score it would have received,
had it been turned in on time, will be reduced by a full letter grade.

Attendance:
Students are expected to arrive on time, attend all class sessions, and stay for the entire class.
Students are expected to be courteous and respectful to the instructor and fellow students at all times.
Cell phones and other electronic devices must be on silent or turned off during class sessions.
Academic Misconduct
Academic (plagiarism, cheating, etc...) and behavioral (any behavior that disrupts the learning
environment) misconduct will not be tolerated. Any infraction will receive a grade penalty which will
span from receiving a zero on the assignment to failing the course. Also, violations will be reported,
which may be maintained on the students permanent academic record. Please become familiar with the
Universitys policies regarding misconduct.
Grading Procedure:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Practice Zoo Project:
Zoo Project
Video Worksheets
Total

50 points
75 points
75 points
15 points
50 points
25 points
290 points

A+ 97 100%
A 93 96%
A- 90 92%

B+ 87 89%
B 83 86%
B- 80 82%

C+ 77 79%
C 73 76%
C- 70 72%

D+ 67 69%
D 63 66%
D- 60 62%

F <= 59%

Final grades will not be e-mailed to you. I will return self-addressed grade envelopes submitted inperson on or before the last day of class.

Course Outline (subject to change):

Week of:
Topic
8/21
8/28

Introduction to Primate
Studies
Field Methods
Field Methods (cont)
Practice Data Collection

Assigned
Reading
Chapter 1
Chapter 1

9/4

Primate Taxonomy

Chapter 2

9/11

Primate Evolution

Chapter 3

9/18

Review
Exam 1 (Thursday)
Evolution and Social
Behavior
Evolution and Sex

Chapter 3

Food and Females

Female Strategies
Male Strategies
Review

Chapter 6 & 7

9/25
10/2
10/9
10/16
10/23
10/30
11/6

Exam 2 (TR Exam on

Tuesday)
Zoo Project
Life Cycle Stages

11/13

Communication and
Cognition
Community ecology

11/20

Holiday

11/27

Conservation

12/4

Primates as models
Review
Exam 3

12/11

Due Dates

Practice Data Collection Due

(Thursday)

Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 8

Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11

Zoo Projects Due (Thursday)

Chapter 12

Section 6 (TR):
Dec 13, 12-1:30 p.m.
Section 4(R):
Dec 13, 7:30-920p.m.

I do not respond to emails requesting class notes or handouts to be emailed to

you. Therefore, you should exchange contact information with one or two of
your classmates.
Helpful Information:
CSUF Anthropology Department: http://anthro.fullerton.edu.
Academic Advisement Center: http://www.fullerton.edu/aac.
Find out about the English Writing Proficiency Test (EWP): http://www.fullerton.edu/testing.
Writing Center: http://hss.fullerton.edu/english/wc/about.asp.
Additional Resources:
Boyd, R. and Silk, J. 2003. How Humans Evolved. 3rd edition. New York: W.W. Norton.
Falk, D. 2000. Primate Diversity. New York: W. W. Norton.
Jurmain, et al. 2005. Introduction to Physical Anthropology, 10th edition. Thomson-Wadsworth.
Smuts, B. et al (Eds). 1987. Primate Societies. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Rowe, N. 1996. A Pictorial Guide to the Living Primates. Rhode Island: Pagonia Press