HON 210- Spring 2009

MINDS, MORALS, AND EVOLUTION

Spring 2009: TTh 11:00 – 12:15

Randall Library – Honors Seminar Room.

Course Description:

The aim of this course, stated broadly, is to introduce students to the emerging field of evolutionary psychology (EP) and to explore the implications for moral theory.  Because EP follows in the wake of recent developments in evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology, students will approach the field by way of these developments; students will learn the basics of Darwinian Natural Selection from biologists and about using animal models from psychologists.  They will then study EP itself and the hypotheses it generates about human nature.  Students will also evaluate criticisms of EP.  Finally, students will explore what EP hypothesizes about the origin of the human moral sense and how this bears on the nature of right and wrong.

Participating Faculty:            Kate Bruce, Psychology (bruce@uncw.edu), Shanhong Luo, Psychology (luos@uncw.edu), Kim Sawrey, Psychology (sawrey@uncw.edu), Mike McCartney, Biology (mccartneym@uncw.edu), Scott James, Philosophy (jamess@uncw.edu), Patty Turrisi, Philosophy (turrisip@uncw.edu)

Texts:

• Course Packet (available at Ditto’s)

• Electronic articles

Grading Criteria:

Attendance:

Attendance will be taken.  Because the readings for this class can be difficult, regularly attending lecture significantly raises your chances of comprehension, for at least part of class will consist in explicating the assigned reading.  The other part of class will consist in discussion, so (here again) attendance is crucial.  Nevertheless, you are allowed TWO unexcused absences—i.e. absences that do not meet UNCW conditions for excused absences.

Academic Dishonesty:

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UNCW’s scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty.  Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty and they are wrong.  Academic misconduct will result in disciplinary action that may include suspension or dismissal.

Absences on the day of an exam

Absences on the day of an exam will be excused only under two conditions: i) you are so ill or injured that you require hospitalization; or ii) a family member has recently died.

Final Grade Format:

Final grades will be in the +/- format. Scores ending in 7 or 8 receive +; scores ending in 9, 0, or 1 receive -.  For example, 90= A- and 87= B+.