The Nonhuman Primates
Spring 2025 | T/Th 1:30-3:20pm | THO 125
Course Overview & Learning Goals
This course will introduce you to our closest relatives, the nonhuman primates. We will review their origins, morphology, characteristics and behavior, major evolutionary trends, and modern taxonomic relationships. We’ll also focus on distribution and habitat in relation to behavioral and morphological adaptations, conservation, ethnoprimatology, disease transmission, field research, and the cultural roles that nonhuman primates play in human communities across the globe. You should leave this course with the following:
- Knowledge of primate taxonomy and the ability to recognize and identify primates according physical and behavioral traits
- Understanding of core concepts in the distribution, social organization, behavior, and reproduction of primates
- Exposure to the major themes in current primatology as they relate to the species/genera reviewed in this course
- Understanding of the interaction and importance of conservation, ethics, and human-nonhuman primate relationships in regard to primatological study and primate distribution
Coursework
Students are expected to attend all lectures. Coursework is organized by week in the Canvas MODULES – each with a Summary Page with that week’s lecture topics, assigned readings, and once available, links to lecture materials. (Lecture slides will be available via Canvas within 24 hrs after each class meeting. I do not provide slides in advance.)
Assignment Categories:
20% Assignments (quizzes, films, etc.)
14% Journal entries (4) for A Primate’s Memoir
22% Exam 1
22% Exam 2
22% Final Project chosen from these options:
- Behavioral Research & Report – data collection, light analysis, and written report based on observational data collected at a zoo (e.g., Woodland Park Zoo, Point Defiance Zoo)
- Unessay Project: choose the topic & the medium – an imaginative, creative approach to a concept from class. It will be accompanied by a written statement, explaining your choice, what you are trying to convey and how it fits into the course (Ex. digital presentation; photo essay, graphic comic, narrated story; visual art; podcast, etc.)
Readings:
- Primate Adaptation & Evolution(3rd Ed.) John G. Fleagle, San Diego: Elsevier, 2013 – Select chapters available on Canvas
- A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons Robert M. Sapolsky, New York: Touchstone, 2002. (Available as an eBook through UW libraries)
- Supplemental readings available on Canvas
Grade Scale:
Student Hours, Communication & Extra Help
Student Hours will be held in person weekly, or via Zoom by previous arrangement. Times and contact information are posted on Canvas under “Support & Student Hours.” You may always request an alternate appointment time if those do not work for you – just ask!
While it is my general policy not to respond to email between the hours of 6:00pm and 7:00am on weekdays, and to have very limited access on weekends, it is part of my commitment to you that I am available during “regular business hours” for weekly appointments (Student Hours), drop-ins, and email.
Let’s approach class and each other with some patience, flexibility, respect, and humor. We may all be affected by personal and health related issues for ourselves and our family and friends. I encourage you to meet with me to discuss course materials, current events, random fun topics, or just to say hi. If you are having concerns with the material or your grade and want to review or discuss it, please contact me. We will work together to find ways to approach the material that work for you.
I believe that communication is crucial. If you are experiencing personal issues that are impacting your work, please make me aware of the situation (with as little or as much information is comfortable to be shared) as early as possible and I will do my best to help in any way I can. Don’t wait until the “last minute” when it is too late to alter outcomes. Please, if you find yourself needing help – reach out.
Late Policy, Missed Work & Accommodations
- Late assignments will be accepted for up to 24hrs after their due date for 50% of earned points. Anything submitted after this 24hr late period will not be accepted.
- For example, on a 10pt assignment where a student has 8/10 correct answers: if turned in on time, the grade is 8/10 pts; if the deadline has passed but the work is turned in within the 24hr late window, the grade is 4/10 pts – 50% of earned points.
- After 24hrs, the assignment will not be accepted, and the score is zero.
- Missed exams may only be made up if approved and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A missed exam is considered an unexcused absence with a zero score unless otherwise determined by the above.
- If a student knows they need to reschedule an assignment or exam, it should be addressed by the end of the second week of the quarter.
The following are accepted categories for accommodation or excused absences. Any other reason for missing participation activities, assignments or exams is not excused.
- Disability Resources for Students (DRS)*: It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If accommodations with DRS have already been established, please be sure to activate the accommodations via myDRS. If services have not yet been established through DRS, but a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts) arises, contact DRS directly at uw.edu to set up an Access Plan.
* DRS testing accommodations should be scheduled in advance by students themselves directly with the DRS testing center. It is the student’s responsibility to make these arrangements in advance of testing dates. Alternative testing accommodation may be arranged if discussed with the instructor well in advance of test dates. Please contact me if there are questions or concerns about how accommodations may be implemented in this course.
- Religious Accommodation: A student who is anticipating being absent from class due to a Religious Accommodation activity needs to complete the Religious Accommodations Request process by the second Friday of the quarter.
- Academic/Athletic Absences: Students who anticipate missing class due to attendance at academic conferences or field trips, or participation in university-sponsored activities should provide a written notice to the instructor ahead of the absence. The instructor will determine if the graded activity or exam can be rescheduled or if there may be other options to make up missed work.
- Medical Excuses: To protect student privacy and the integrity of the academic experience, students will not be required to provide a medical excuse note to justify an absence from class due to illness. A student who misses a graded class activity or examination due to illness must request, in writing, to take a rescheduled examination or perform work judged by the instructor to be the equivalent within a reasonable amount of time (7 days) after the missed due date.
- The Unexpected: In the case of unforeseen circumstances (asteroid collisions, car wrecks, zombie invasions, serious issues, etc.), please contact me within 24hrs if you would like to request accommodation. Missed assignments will be handled on a case-by-case basis. In order to have any unplanned absences excused or address missed work, students must contact me within one week (7 days) of their incident, absence or missed deadline to have their case considered.
Student Conduct
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an environment where the free exchange of ideas is an integral part of the academic learning environment. University policy states that students must treat one another and the instructor in a respectful and considerate manner.
The University takes academic integrity very seriously. Behaving with integrity is part of our responsibility to our shared learning community. The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Acts of academic misconduct may include but are not limited to:
- Cheating (working collaboratively on quizzes/exams and discussion submissions, sharing answers and previewing quizzes/exams)
- Plagiarism (representing the work of others as your own without giving appropriate credit to the original author(s))
- Unauthorized collaboration (working with each other on assignments)
Concerns about these or other behaviors prohibited by the Student Conduct Code will be referred for investigation and adjudication to the appropriate campus office. More information can be found online at www.washington.edu/studentconduct
Any portion of these plans may be subject to change should we need to make adjustments during the quarter. All changes will be noted in class and posted on Canvas.