Welcome to Psychology 480 Animal Cognition
- Zoom Registration URL
- Zoom Meeting 625508
- Tuesday office hours
- Thursday office hours
- Test 1
- Test 2
- Final Paper Instructions
In this course you will encounter research and theories comparing animal behavior and human behavior, with a focus on companion animals such as dogs and cats. You will be introduced to the physiological, cognitive and developmental aspects of behavior that are critical to understanding the behavior of all animals, including humans.
This course is structured so that you will find we move from a basic introduction to the study of comparative behavior, wander through various topics, and consider ethical issues surrounding each topic. Discussion will be a major component of the course….animals are very “human like”, while humans are very “animal like”; this brings up several ethical issues for both the human and animal environment.
As an Graduate class, I prefer that we read original sources- that is, we read the actual research articles, rather than a text. However, to ensure that we all have a good basic grounding in operant conditioning, I have included a text: Animal Cognition, by Clive Wynn and Monique Udell, and a second book, What is is like to be a dog by Gregory Bern. Both books are available in the book store, or online at webstores such as Amazon.com.
I think you will find the Animal cognition book provides a good resource and a nice plan topic discussion. The book by Greg Bern is a wonderful dialog and story about why the author decided to examine dog and other animal behavior. It is a wonderful and, I think, motivational story for researching your passion.
PLEASE keep this syllabus; it contains reading assignments, test dates, grade information, and other items that will be of use throughout the semester.
Office Hours:
My office is DeGarmo 460. My office hours will be held online via zoom at 11-12 on Tuesday and Thursday.
My office phone is 438-4554
Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursday 11:00-12:00, or by appointment. Online or in-person appointments may be made as necessary.
Goals for Psychology 480 Animal Cognition
As a result of completing the course, the student will be able to:
- Understand and be able to outline who the IACUC is, what the role of the IACUC .
- Define Animal Welfare Act and explain who the Applied Animal Act oversees.
- Develop an understanding of and explain the consequences of evolution and adaption as they apply to animal behavior and cognition.
- Develop an understanding of how animals may perceive the world, and how that affects their cognition and behavior.
- Become familiar with the mechanisms and theories surrounding how consequences select and shape behavior
- Compare and contrast the major principles of ontogeny versus phylogeny.
- Compare and contrast how animals and humans may engage in or demonstrate echoice, stimulus control, complex response units, and dynamic behavior.
- Address contemporary social issues contained within the analysis of behavior in wild animals, captive animals and companion animals.
- Recognize the similarities and differences in learning processes across species of animals and humans.
- Understand the dynamics of the individual versus a social group and how this may affect learning and cognitive behavior.
- Become familiar with the ethics involved in research with animal subjects and the legal and moral responsibilities of those working with nonhuman subjects.
Required Texts
- Our main “text” is Animal Cognition: Evolution, Behavior and Cognition, by Clive Wynne and Monique Udell. Our secondary book is What It’s Like to be a Dog: And other adventures in animal neuroscience by Gregory Berns. These books may be purchased at the Alamo, the University Book Store, or most any book store or online.
- To supplement this with academic readings, we ALSO tackle original sources. These are available on line from our website and reggienet. You are responsible for downloading, reading each article, and completing the reading study guide for each reading.
Class Activities and Grading
The format of the course includes both lecture tutorials and discussion sessions. We will have discussions via zoom on Thursdays during our regularly scheduled class time.
Lectures:
The lecture material will be available on-line by Monday at 5 pm each week. Assignments will be tied to the lecture and reading materials. You will be held responsible for any information disseminated in lecture and/or readings.
Tests, Assignments and Projects
There will be two tests and one project/presentation required for this class: The tests will be given at midterm and at the end of the semester. The final project will include a written APA style research/case study paper. Guidelines for the project will be handed out in class.
Earned Points
Grades will be based on the following:
| Tests (100 Points Each) | 200 Points |
| Weekly Discussion Sessions (10 points/session) | 150 Points |
| Final Project | 100 Points |
| TOTAL | 450 points |
Final Grades:
| A | 405-450 points |
| B | 360-404.99 points |
| C | 315-359.99 points |
| D | 270-314.99 points |
| F | 269.99 points or lower |
Academic Dishonesty
Any cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an F in the course and referral to the Student Code Enforcement Review Board (SCERB) for disciplinary action. Cheating INCLUDES (but is not limited to): plagiarism of both published and unpublished written work, having another individual take or assist you with an online exam, taking an exam for or assisting another individual with an online quiz, performing or completing a class assignment or quiz for another individual or having another individual perform or complete a class assignment or quiz for you. Cheating is thus defined generally as representing work that is NOT your own as your work or allowing your work to be represented as another’s’ so that individual receives academic credit. Violators of this policy will receive a failing grade on that assignment or quiz, a possible failing grade for the course, and referral to the department chair and the SCERB for disciplinary action.
Diversity
Illinois State University, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding affirmative action, nondiscrimination, and anti-harassment. Illinois State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, order of protection, gender identity and expression, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, unfavorable military discharge, or status as a veteran in employment, educational programs and activities, or admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed by contacting the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access by email at EqualOpportunity@IllinoisState.edu, by calling (309) 438-3383, or by mailing to the office at Illinois State University, Campus Box 1280, Normal, IL 61790.
Special Problems
If you have a disability, if English is your second language, or need other special considerations, please see me as soon as possible (that’s before the first test!) to work out any special arrangements that might be needed. If you fail a test, please see me as soon as possible. I cannot help you if you do not contact me for help!
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu. Other useful information about accessibility and working with Student Access and Accommodation Service can be found at http://studentaccess.illinoisstate.edu/faculty_staff/academic/.
Absences due to Illness or Student Bereavement
Students who are ill for an extended period of time or students who experience the death of an immediate family member or relative (as defined in the University Student Bereavement Policy) will be excused from class until they are well enough to attend, for funeral leave, subsequent bereavement, and/or travel considerations. Students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation to the Dean of Students office and for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make arrangements for completing missed work. More information is available in the Student Bereavement Policy at http://www.policy.illinoisstate.edu/2-1-27.shtm