Evolution of Cognition

Anna Dornhaus
Spring 2015
WEDNESDAYS |  
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 25, April 1, 8, 2015
Course Format: Hybrid
Location: Main Campus
Tuition: $150

What is intelligence? What differentiates humans from other animals? This course explores the evolution of cognition in humans and other species, and discusses how science investigates these questions. Why are humans such a unique species on earth–or are we? Why we are so good at solving some problems and yet fail so often at solving others? Research in evolutionary biology has a lot of answers to questions about why animals behave the way they do, and we will examine how this applies to our own lives. We will also touch on the underlying neurobiology, for example, on why is it that insects are so smart (using tools, navigating huge areas, using languages) when their brains are no bigger than a pinhead?

Recommended Reading

Shettleworth, Sara J. Cognition, Evolution, and Behavior. Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN-13: 978-0195319842.

Meet Your Instructor

Professor

ANNA DORNHAUS is University of Arizona professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. With a PhD from the University of Wuerzburg (2002), she’s mentored over 180 students across different degree programs and actively promotes science education through hands-on experiments and teacher training sessions to inspire K-12 students.

Location

POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

Street map image of Poetry Center

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