Students
PHIL2049 – Evolution, Mind and Culture
2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Pierrick Bourrat
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is devoted to examining the ways in which evolutionary biology can shed light on the nature of the human mind and culture. The unit begins with an introduction to evolutionary theory and a discussion of some foundational issues concerning its nature and structure. It explains its central concepts such as natural selection, fitness, adaption, and units of selection. It will also debate current modifications to evolutionary theory, such as evolutionary developmental biology, niche construction and the so called Extended Synthesis. A substantial part of the unit, however, involves investigating extensions of evolutionary theory to the explanation of human mind and culture. In particular, recent theories of cultural and cognitive evolution such as Evolutionary Psychology, gene-culture coevolution, and cognitive-developmental niche construction will be examined in detail. Issues, such as the ambitions and limitations of evolutionary explanations of human ethical and sexual behaviour will also be discussed. No background in biology or science is assumed.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: critically evaluate the theories and arguments studied, identify their strengths and weaknesses,
- ULO2: Understand some of the current major issues connecting philosophy, evolutionary biology and culture.
- ULO3: Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources concerning foundational concepts and arguments in biology and philosophy.
- ULO4: express and expound the existing positions studied clearly and lucidly
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Assessment Information
All tasks will be assessed using the criteria listed under the description of each task, such as: Understanding, critical evaluation, written expression (etc). A detailed rubric for each task will be supplied on iLearn.
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
This unit uses an iLearn website and Echo360 lecture recordings (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/). The website contains links to lecture notes, ilecture recordings, and other learning materials. Students will therefore require access to a computer and a good internet connection in order to access all the material, and participate in the unit effectively.
Lectures are designed to provide an important foundation for tutorial discussions which will be held every week for 10 weeks. In order to get the most of those discussions and to foster a sense of common intellectual purpose, attendance is highly encouraged. If you have a regular conflict that will prevent you from attending one or both of the lectures, you should consider enrolling as an external student.
Lectures and Tutorial Times
Lectures are on Mondays 10am-12pm at 23 Wallys Walk - 105 Tutorial Rm
Tutorials take place every week on Mondays either 1pm-2pm at 23 Wallys Walk - 202 Tutorial Rm Tutorial Rm or 2pm-3pm at 4 Western Rd - 302 Tutorial Rm
Students are not required to purchase any books for this course. All readings for tutorials will be made available via iLearn. Further readings for essays will be recommended.
Readings
All readings will be made available on iLearn. Some readings and topics are taken from these textbooks:
Sterelny, K., & Griffiths, P. E. (1999). Sex and death: An introduction to philosophy of biology. University of Chicago Press. à S&G
Godfrey Smith, Peter (2013) Philosophy of Biology. Princeton Foundations of Contemporary Philosophy. Princeton University Press. à PGS
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.