This course examines the behaviour and ecology of living non-human primates. Primates include monkeys, apes, lemurs and other prosimians, as well people. Understanding non-human primates helps us to evaluate and understand the behaviour, culture and language, and biology of our own species, as well as to give us valuable information that is necessary for the conservation of non-human primates, the majority of which are now threatened. Lectures will start with a description of the morphology and distinguishing characteristics of each group of living primates. We will then focus on primate behaviour theory and concepts using some of these primates as examples to illustrate the main points; often this will be done through the description of current research projects being conducted at ANU. This component of the course will consist of lectures, guest lectures and films, all of which are testable material.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Summarize the behavioural and ecological characteristics of selected non-human primate species;
2. Combine information from a variety of academic resources on a foundational theory of primate behaviour to explain if it is still relevant in studies of primate behaviour and ecology;
3. Use case studies to effectively illustrate a theoretical concept in primate behaviour and articulate your argument orally; and
4. Summarise key points from a scientific article and link back to material regarding common principles of non-human primate species biology.

Required Resources

Readings will be posted on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Recommended textbook: Primate Behavioral Ecology by Karen B. Strier. Latest is 5th edition (2016) but 4th (2010) edition will suffice. Buy hardcopy or e-version online. 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written feedback on both essay proposal (within 2 week of submission) and final essay (within 3 weeks of submission)
• Written comment on tests (can be viewed in office hours in weeks following the exam)
• Written comments on tutorial presentations (on Wattle)
• All numerical grades will be recorded in the wattle gradebook 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Referencing for all assignments should follow the format of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction The primate pattern, primate studies, primate origins	Readings (to be done before lecture): Groves 2004, Sussman 1991
2	Survey of the primates – strepsirhines Film: BBC Life The Primates	Readings (to be done before lecture): Colquhoun 2011
3	Survey of the primates - haplorhines	Readings (to be done before lecture): Milton 1998
4	Primate Social Groups Primate Life Course	Readings (to be done before lecture): Kappeler and van Schaik 2002
5	Social learning Community Ecology	Essay proposal due Readings (to be done before lecture): Mitani 1991
6	Research talk: Anja Deppe, Lemurs of Madagascar	Midterm #1
7	Natural Selection and Sociobiology Film: The Demonic Ape	Readings (to be done before lecture): Sterck et al. 1997
8	Male Reproductive Strategies Female Strategies: cooperation and competition Part I	Readings (to be done before lecture): Hardy 1994, Sussman 1994, Sterck et al. 1997
9	Female Strategies: cooperation and competition Part II Primate Conservation	Readings (to be done before lecture): Sterck et al. 1997, Chapman and Peres 2000
10	Primate Cognition and Communication	Readings (to be done before lecture): Milton 1991, Dunbar 1998
11	Primate Cognition and language Film: Ape Genius (45 min)	Readings (to be done before lecture): Pepperberg, 2017
12		Midterm #2

Tutorial Registration

Please sign up for tutorials on Wattle

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Midterm examination 1	30 %	21/10/2019	30/10/2019	1,2,4
Essay proposal and final essay	30 %	10/10/2019	30/10/2019	1,2,4
In-class tutorial presentation	20 %	30/10/2019	10/11/2019	1,3,4
Tutorial portfolio summaries	20 %	20/10/2019	30/10/2019	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

Two examinations for this class is to be held in class on 26 August and 21 October 2019. Exams will be short answer, long answer, multiple choice and other questions based on lecture material, lecture readings and any guest lectures or films seen during lecture times.

Assessment Task 1

Midterm examination 1

There will be two tests held during semester (15% each). These tests will be held during lectures and will consist of short answer, multiple choice, long answer, and other questions. All tests are based on lecture notes (posted material as well as additional information given during class), readings and videos as well as any guest lectures. Tests will not be cumulative. Deferred exams are possible only for serious reasons (and the demand needs to be made before the exam). A missed examination automatically receives a score of zero if the instructor is not notified before the exam. No exceptions!  Exam 1 is Aug 26, and exam 2 Oct 21, 2019.

Value: 30% (2 x 15%)

Assessment Task 2

Essay proposal and final essay

The term paper for this course is comprised of 2 parts – the proposal and the term paper. The proposal is due Monday 21st August, 2019, by 5 pm (submit on Wattle). The proposal should be 250 words (not including references) and explains what the student has chosen for a term paper topic. The proposal should include the paper topic as well as what the main focus of the paper will be. It should also include a list of at least 3 academic references that will be used in the paper. The term paper is due on 10th October, 2019 (submitted electronically to turnitin) and must be 2500 words (not including references). The final essay topic is to be selected from the topics listed on Wattle. If there is a topic you would like to write about that is not on this list, you must get written approval from the course convenor.

Word limit: 2500 + 250

Value: 25% + 5%

Assessment Task 3

In-class tutorial presentation

 In the first week of the course, students will be put into small groups and each will select a topic off the selected list. Throughout the semester, each group of students will present on a topic to the class (topic and reading sheets are on wattle and should be looked over before the first tutorial on Tuesday 01 August when we will choose topics). This presentation should include information from the assigned readings as well as extra information from your own literature search – it should not just be a detailed look at the papers but using them as a jumping off point to answer the assigned question. This presentation should also include an aspect of discussion where other students can participate and share their opinions and thoughts on the assigned readings (i.e. discussion questions should be based around the readings or linking the readings to broader topics). Tutorial presentations will be graded on both the presentation and discussion aspects. Presentations should be 30-35 minutes to allow time for other students to address their own concerns/questions regarding the readings.

Tutorials will be on Thursdays 1-2 pm or Fridays 1-2 pm (sign up on wattle) and will run in all weeks of semester except for week 1, break, and the two weeks of the midterm exams. 

Value: 20% 

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial portfolio summaries

Students are responsible for writing a 300 word synopsis of what they learned from the tutorial readings in 4 weeks of the semester. These can be chosen as you like as long as 4 summaries are handed in by the beginning of the last tutorial. Summaries are to be handed in at the start of the week’s tutorial (i.e. if you submit a summary for the 8th August readings they are due at the start of tutorial on 8th August). This assignment is designed to illustrate not only that you have completed the readings, but that you have understood them in the context of the course material. It is suggested you do at least one synopsis early so you can get feedback on it before the next ones are due. You are not to do a straight summary of the readings, but link them together using a common theme you find interesting.

Assignments will only be accepted in tutorial. NO electronic submissions will be accepted.

Word limit: 300 each

Value: 20% (4 x 5%)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

No hard copy submissions are required, with the exception of the tutorial portfolios which will only be accepted in hard copy.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Tutorial summaries will not be accepted if students are not in tutorial to submit the summary to the tutor in person.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Written assignments will be uploaded back onto wattle once graded. Presentation grades and midterm exams will be available for viewing during office hours (in the week following the assessment) where students can discuss grades with the lecturer. You can also make an appointment to review this material outside office hours.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students