Course & Syllabus Information
Below
are links to syllabi and course information for classes I have taught.
Each includes a brief description as well as information on the syllabus
and assignments.
Email me at sbrosnan@gsu.edu with any questions.
Teaching Resources
The following documents will be of use in several of my classes.
Animal Behavior
Did you know that anemone fish are hermaphrodites? Or that the arctic tern migrates 12,000 miles? Or, better yet, why they would do these things? Animal behavior is the study of how organisms interact with their social and physical environment and how their cognition and behavior evolved to meet these demands. This class will take an evolutionary approach to behavior, investigating why behaviors evolved (ultimate questions) and how the organism has been shaped to perform these behaviors (proximate questions). We will study a variety of taxons and behaviors, focusing on real-world examples from a wide range of species to illustrate concepts.
Behavioral Ecology
Behavioral ecology is the study of how organisms interact with their environment and how their behaviors have evolved to meet the demands of this environment. This environment represents not only their habitat and available resources, but other individuals of both the same and different species. As research into conservation has increased, it has become increasingly certain that natural populations cannot be sustained without an understanding of their behavioral ecology, thus we will also discuss the increasing role of behavioral studies in supporting conservation efforts. Specific topics will include predator/prey relationships, reproduction and mating systems, sexual selection, competition, aggression, cooperation, and other dynamics of group living.
Research Methods in Psychology
This is an introductory level class aimed at teaching the various methods used in psychology as well as giving the students hands-on experience with a semester long project. This project will allow students to design a small research project (either experimental or observational), carry out this project, then write it up in APA format at the end of the semester. Feedback will be given. Topics covered include observational research methods, experimental research methods, historical or archival research methods, simple statistics, and ethics. The class is equally appropriate for those interested in human and nonhuman research, and examples from both will be used.
Integrative Methods in Environmental Studies Laboratory
This laboratory class is designed to accompany the first and second semester introductory Environmental Studies core classes. This lab will introduce you to a variety of methods used for data collection and analysis in environmental studies, including demography and life history, field ecology techniques, game theoretical approaches, long-term analysis of environmental data, observational data collection, and survey data collection. Special emphasis will be placed on learning to use a spreadsheet program (such as Microsoft Excel) for data maniuplation and analysis. Also included will be a final presentation on a topic complementary to the research paper presented in class.
Environmental Studies Laboratory Syllabus 2003
Environmental Studies Laboratory Syllabus 2004
