Evolutionary Psychology - PSY 493 Fall 2009 Department of Psychology Michigan State University   Instructor Dr. Carlos David Navarrete Office: 247 Psychology Bldg. Office Hr: Tues 4:00-5:00p Ph: 517-432-8391 Web: www.cdnresearch.net Course Email psy493@navarretelab.net Course Description This course provides an introduction to evolutionary psychology--an integrative approach to thinking about human nature and how it interacts with environments to produce patterns of cognition, emotion, behavior and culture. Key theories and principles in psychology and evolutionary biology are discussed. Topics covered include principles of natural selection, human evolutionary environments, family and kinship, altruism and cooperation, sex and jealousy, cultural transmission, fear, aggression and intergroup conflict. Course Meeting Time and Location Tues. & Thurs. 2:40PM – 4:00PM 304 Natural Science Bldg. Course Readings Buss, D.M. (2008). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind, 3rd Ed. Boston: Pearson. [EP] Dawkins, R. (1989). The selfish gene. New York: Oxford University Press. [SG] Note: Any editions of the above texts are acceptable. There will also be a few assigned readings of primary source material Recommended Reading Buss, D. (2009). Why Women Have Sex.  Times. Pinker, S. (2003). The Blank Slate. Viking. Wright, R. (1994). The Moral Animal. Pantheon.   Grading & Exams Grading will be based primarily on 3 exams. Attendance and participation will amount to 10% of your grade. Make-up exams will not be given unless except in the case of documented emergencies. Exams consist of 8  short essays, each approximately 2-4 paragraphs in length. Extra Credit 10 extra credit points are available for participation in psychological experiments through MSU's Human Participation in Research system (HPR). You will receive 1 extra credit point for every HPR credit earned. For students unfamiliar with the sign-up procedure, an information page is here. Honors Option Honors students interested in receiving honors credit may do so by writing a 3-5 page (double spaced) book review of one of the recommended readings. Send review in Word format to the class email address before the last day of class.   Point System  Exam 1  80 pts. 30%  Exam 2 80 pts.  30%  Exam 3 80 pts.  30%  Participation 27 pts.  10% Total 267 pts. 100% Grade Breakdown (Grade, Minimum Pts., Percent)  4.0 227 pts.  85%  3.5 214 pts.  80%  3.0 189 pts.  70% 2.5 174 pts. 65% 2.0 134 pts. 50% Academic Integrity Every student is held responsible for knowing the academic integrity policy at MSU.  The policy can be found here. Exam Schedule Exam 1 - Tuesday, Oct. 6 Exam 2 - Tuesday, Nov. 10 Exam 3 - Thursday, Dec. 17 (12:45-2:45) Tentative Reading Schedule)  Week  Topic  Readings  1  Psychological Foundations  EP: 1; SG: 1-2  2  The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology  EP: 2; SG: 3  3  Parenting  EP: 7; SG: 7-8  4  Kinship  EP: 8; SG: 6  5  Cooperation  EP: 9; SG: 10  6  Mating Strategies I  EP: 4-5  7  Mating Strategies II  EP: 6; SG: 4  8  Aggression & Warfare  EP: 10; SG: 5  9  Intersexual & Intergroup Conflict  EP: 11; SG: 9  10  Prejudice & Discrimination   Reading1    Reading2  11  Status & Dominance  EP: 12  12  Culture, Memes, and Terrorism  Reading  13  Morality & Religion  Reading1  Reading2   14  Morality & Inequality  Readings TBA  15  A Unified Psychology  EP: 13; SG: 13