I. About the Course

II. Dealing with the Complexity of the Course

III. The Structure of the Course
X

II. Dealing With The Complexity Of The Course

You will get more from the course if you are an interactive learner rather than a passive observer and memorizer. It is essential that you be seriously involved in your journal (see below) and take an active part in discussion sections. In addition, we urge you to explore and interact through the Bio 45 web site (it contains additional information, ongoing discussions, and clarification of issues raised in lecture and section, and other web sites dealing with animal behavior). Animal behavior cannot be learned from books and lectures. The journal exercises and discussion sections provide you with ways to interact with and share your experiences and ideas with others.

Above all, it is imperative that you observe and think about the behavior of animals around you all the time. Your journal is an open door to watching animals and thinking and it is your best way to interact one-on-one with those of us teaching the course. Put a lot of effort into your journal and you will more than double what you get out of this course! A separate handout provides details on the journal exercises.

Alcock's textbook is the source of most of the factual and conceptual detail in the course. My lectures will depart from the text to provide additional perspectives and information. I will always assume you have done the assigned reading before the lecture. You should read some of papers cited in Alcock -- don't get all your information second and third hand! Take study breaks to browse the following journals on A-level (current issues) : Animal Behaviour (QL750 A7), Behaviour (QL750 B6), Behavioral Ecology (QL750 B534), Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (QL750 B533), Ethology (BF3 Z49), and Trends in Ecology and Evolution (1-SIZE QH540 .T73x). Note: All of these journals can be accessed via the web through the Brown Electronic Journals page at - http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/University_Library/eresources/ejournals/alpha.html

Return to Top

X

Home  Prospectus  Sections  Journals  Web Discuss   Schedule  News  Handouts  Exams  Links