Evolution, culture and human nature

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Cursusdoel

Upon completion of the course, students are able to:
  1. Explain the basic elements of biological evolution and recognize possible misconceptions.
  2. Discuss the relevance of evolutionary thinking where the concept of evolution is applied in a variety of disciplines, including psychology, medicine and history.
  3. Understand limitations and misconceptions behind the application of evolutionary theory in various disciplines, including psychology as well as in historical phenomena such as eugenics and social Darwinism.
  4. Explain and discuss the application of the evolution concept to solve a complex multi-disciplinary topic using an interdisciplinary strategy with the aim to reach an integration of perspectives (using the Repko-steps as guideline).
  5. Reflect on and discuss the implications of the evolution concept within a specific field or within specific disciplines or cultures as described in a popular science book.
  6. Understand & explain specific characteristics of human nature using multidisciplinary and/or cultural perspectives.
  7. Apply their creative, reflective, critical, motivational and life-long learning capacities to deliver a product which is both useful for their personal development as well enriching for the course goals in general.


Relationship between tests and course goals
In this course, the final course grade is based on six elements: two written exams, an interdisciplinary paper, a book review plus pitch, a group project and a free assignment.
  • Written in-class exam 1: this tests your knowledge on the basics of evolutionary biology (Course aim 1)
  • Written in-class exam 2: this tests your knowledge and ability to apply evolutionary thinking based on the (guest) lectures of this course. (Course aims 2 & 3)
  • Interdisciplinary paper: In this paper, which you will write together with a fellow student, you can demonstrate your ability to write on an interdisciplinary (evolutionary) topic in which the Repko-steps have been followed resulting in an integration of disciplinary perspectives. (Course aims 4 & 6)
  • Individual book review: after having read a popular science book on an evolutionary inspired topic, you will express your understanding of that book in both a reflective essay and a short pitch reflecting your analytical and communicative abilities. (Course aim 5)
  • Group project: with a team of 4-5 fellow students you will demonstrate your ability to formulate a research question (using the first 4 steps by Repko) on a specific aspect of “what makes us human”, both in written form and in an oral presentation. (Course aim 6)
  • Free Assignment: you will show your involvement and academic attitude by working on a topic which is both relevant for your personal development as well as for the course in general. (Course aim 7)

Vakinhoudelijk

Darwin’s idea of evolution by means of natural selection has united the biological disciplines in the previous century and is currently recognized as a very fruitful concept for Humanities and Social Sciences as well. As Wilson (2007) stated: “Evolutionary theory provides a common language that can erase the distinction between the hard sciences, the social sciences and the humanities”. The application of evolutionary theory to other fields of scientific activity is in line with the Liberal Arts & Sciences ideal and currently leads to a stream of publications on interdisciplinary topics and fields such as: ‘Evolutionary psychology’, ‘Sociobiology’, ‘Evolutionary origin of language’, ‘Genes, mind and culture’, etc.
This course on evolution aims to offer a synthetic view and understanding of human nature, cooperation and culture from the perspective of biological evolution. It allows students of different departments to get acquainted with the evolutionary theory and its manifold implications as well as to practice ‘evolutionary thinking’. ‘Evolutionary thinking’ refers to analyzing complex topics from an evolutionary point of view, applying the concept of evolution to understand what has shaped the human being over millions of years into its current appearance, behavior and cultural expressions. A large part of the course will deal with different aspects of cooperation, including altruism and reciprocity, and its biological and social relevance. Through this course students will combine their knowledge from different departments and disciplines, and construct a fresh and interdisciplinary look at broader scientific, social and cultural issues, all aimed to foster an improved understanding of human nature.
Although Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection has been recognized as one of the great achievements of humankind and as the most profound shift in conceptual thinking in the last millennium, the evolutionary theory nevertheless is also notoriously controversial. Not only in society (ie creationism, intelligent design and eugenics), but also within the academic world groups of scientists question the relevance and applicability of evolutionary thinking to human affairs. In this course some attention will also be given to the arguments and counterarguments that are often used, and which still lead to (heated) debates.

Format
Students will read, discuss and present recent papers on developments in the field of ‘evolution, culture and human nature’; they will work in teams on the preparation of a debate session, student-led seminars, excursion or symposium. Throughout the course a specific book (see Course material) is read and the essence of the book will be used as a source of inspiration for individual and/or group projects or as source for in-class discussions.
The last two weeks of the course are focused on a final project that aims at the integration and application of the knowledge gained.

Werkvormen

UCU INT 3 course

Toetsing

Free Assignment

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Group project

Verplicht | Weging 10% | ECTS 0,75

Book review (individual)

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

interdisciplinary paper

Verplicht | Weging 30% | ECTS 2,25

*midterm FEEDBACK*

Niet verplicht

First exam

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Second exam

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Je moet minimaal 7,5 punten voor categorie 3 (Bachelor Gevorderd) hebben behaald

Voorkennis

Students should have finished at least one track in their major.

Voertalen

  • Engels

Competenties

  • Academisch schrijven
  • Interdisciplinariteit
  • Luisteren
  • Presenteren
  • Samenwerken

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

Materiaal Omschrijving
READER Additional readings that are required for all, will be made available on workspace
BOEK Wilson, D.S. (2007). `Evolution for Everyone; how Darwin's theory can change the way we think about our lives'. Delacorte Press, New York. ISBN 0385340923 / 978-0385340922 (Book is used as source of inspiration for papers and discussions)

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

Counts towards HUM, SCI or SSC major

Coördinator

dr. ing. J. Zandveld j.zandveld@uu.nl

Docenten

dr. ing. J. Zandveld j.zandveld@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

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