BL4263 The Question of Culture in Animals

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L E Rendell

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Luke Rendell, Dr Michael Webster, Prof Christian Rutz, Dr Ellen Garland, Dr Catherine Hobaiter

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The existence and extent of social learning and cultural transmission in non-humans is a very active area of current research, as well as of controversy, with vigorous ongoing debate. The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to this area through considering the conceptual issues and direct and indirect evidence for cultural transmission in a range of non-human animals, including insects, fish, birds, primates and cetaceans. We will consider what is meant by the term ?culture?, how is used and studied in the human context, how it can be studied in non-humans, and the evidence for and against such processes being present in a range of non-human societies.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL3319

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

10 x 2 hour class meetings, supported by extensive independent study

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

130

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.