Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
A/Prof Ian Stephen
Contact via Email
By appointment
Lecturer
Dr Mem Mahmut
Contact via Email
By appointment
Lecturer
Prof Dick Stevenson
Contact via Email
By appointment
Lecturer
Dr Tim Marsh
Contact via Email
By appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
PSYH490 or PSHY4490 or PSYH495 or PSYH4495 or PSYH4492
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
PSYH7739
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide a framework for in-depth study of evolutionary explanations of human and animal behaviour. While evolution is overwhelmingly accepted by biologists as the best explanation for the development of life on Earth, and for the behaviour of non-human animals, the new science of evolution of human behaviour is considered controversial by many. This module will introduce the different evolutionary approaches to human behaviour: evolutionary psychology and human behavioural ecology. We will cover evolutionary explanations of behaviours such as cooperation, altruism, violence, murder, gossip, sexual attraction, relationships, culture and religion.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
All the relevant Macquarie University policies will apply, including the following.
The essay must be submitted to Turnitin (via iLearn)
This unit does not require coversheets with your essays.
A copy of the assignment must be kept as proof that the assignment was completed and submitted.
AFTER AN ASSIGNMENT IS SUBMITTED:
Penalties will be levied for late submission of assignment and for exceeding the word limit:
Ordinarily, no extensions of time for submission of written work will be granted since ample time for preparation will have been given. If an extension is required for medical or other extenuating circumstances, students may request this in writing through ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentary evidence (such as medical certificate, counsellor note, or similar). The staff in the Student Centre will make all decisions regarding extensions.
All requests for extensions must be made prior to the due date for the assignment.
If an extension is granted, the approval email must be included as the first page of the submitted assignment to avoid any late penalty.
PRESENTATION AND CLASS PARTICIPATION
The classes for PSYH4439 will include lecture and discussion components. Students will take turns to introduce a new or classic research paper for discussion in the class. You will be graded on your presentation and contributions to the discussions during the classes. Grades will be determined by the unit convenor, who will take into account feedback from other lecturers and anonymous feedback from peers on your presentation. Notes will be kept to support the grading.
The dates for individual students' presentations will be determined at the beginning of the session. You will be required to submit a special consideration request via ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentation of your unavoidable and serious circumstances if you are going to miss your presentation date. These requests must be made in advance of the presentation date, and you must email the unit chair as soon as possible to ensure that an alternative activity can be prepared.
FINAL EXAMS
The examination will take place in class time in Week 13.
The only exception to sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these circumstances you may wish to consider applying for Special Consideration. Information about unavoidable disruption and the special consideration process is available at http://www.psy.mq.edu.au/speccond/scrules.htm
If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the examination will be scheduled after the original exam date.
Supplementary Exams are only offered to students who have satisfactorily completed all other assessments for the unit and were unable to sit the final exam because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption.
Instructions on applying for sitting of a supplementary exam are available from the website. It is the student’s responsibility to follow the steps outlined in this website. An email will be sent to the student advising them of the outcome of their request for a supplementary exam. Students who are granted to sit for a supplementary exam must make themselves available to sit for the supplementary exam on the specified date. There will only be one time. It is the student’s responsibility to email Student Centre to confirm attendance at the supplementary exam.
You are advised that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching session, which is the final day of the official examination period.
Academic honesty
Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. The Policy covering Academic Honesty is available on the web.
Plagiarism is an example of dishonest academic behaviour and is defined by the Policy on Academic honesty as: “Using the work or ideas of another person and presenting this as your own without clear acknowledgement of the source of the work or ideas”. Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties.
This procedure notes the following responsibilities for students:
The penalties which can be applied for academic dishonesty are outlined in the Academic Dishonesty – Schedule of Penalties.
The penalties range from applying a fail grade for the assessment task or requiring the student to re-submit the assessment task for a mark no greater than 50 to applying a fail grade to the unit of study and referral to the University Discipline committee.
You must read the University's Policy and Procedure on Academic Honesty.
University Policy on Grading
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines for the achievement of grades across the range from fail to high distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive.
For more information please refer to the Macquarie University Handbook.
Student Support Services
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.
On matters pertaining to the regulations, the Registrar’s Office should be consulted or, within the Department of Psychology, Prof Kerry Sherman, Deputy Head of Department for Teaching and Learning, or Dr Trevor Case, Director of the Honours Programme. Students with disabilities or mental health issues should consult Campus Wellbeing. If your difficulties cannot be resolved by these members of staff, you should consult the Head of Department.
APPEALS AGAINST GRADES
Please refer to the Grade Appeal Policy
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Essay | 30% | No | 5pm Fri 8th Oct 2021 |
Individual Class presentation | 20% | No | Sign up for a timeslot via iLearn |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Week 13 during class time |
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 5pm Fri 8th Oct 2021
Weighting: 30%
Students will be required to submit an essay that critically discusses a current question in evolutionary approaches to behaviour.
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Sign up for a timeslot via iLearn
Weighting: 20%
Students present and critique a new or classic research paper for discussion in the class.
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Week 13 during class time
Weighting: 50%
Final examination held in scheduled class time, in accordance with relevant requirements.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Lectures/seminars are held weekly online via Zoom.
The core textbook for this unit is:
Buss, D.M. (2017) Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (5th edition). Boston: Pearson.
This is available as an ebook through the library, or you may purchase it online or via the Coop (dependent on stock).
A weekly reading list is available via Leganto (linked on iLearn).
Week |
Length of Lecture |
Lecture Topic |
Lecturer |
Date |
1 |
2 |
Introduction to Evolutionary Theory |
A/Prof Ian Stephen
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24 Feb |
2 |
2 |
Encephalisation and the evolution of the brain |
A/Prof Ian Stephen
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2 Mar |
3 |
2 |
The Evolution of Cooperation |
A/Prof Ian Stephen |
9 Mar |
4 |
2 |
Special Topic 1: The Evolution of Morality |
Dr Tim Marsh
|
16 Mar |
5 |
2 |
Violence and Aggression |
A/Prof Ian Stephen |
23 Mar |
6 |
2 |
The Evolution of Culture |
A/Prof Ian Stephen |
30 Mar |
7 |
2 |
Special Topic 2: Personality in Evolutionary Context |
Dr Mem Mahmut
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6 Apr |
8 |
2 |
Special Topic 3: Disgust and Disease Avoidance |
Prof Dick Stevenson
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27 Apr |
9 |
2 |
Sex, Sexual Selection and Sexual Strategies |
A/Prof Ian Stephen
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4 May |
10 |
2 |
Special Topic 4: Faces, Bodies and Attraction |
A/Prof Ian Stephen
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11 May |
11 |
2 |
Special Topic 5: The Family in Evolutionary Context |
Prof Julie Fitness
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18 May |
12 |
2 |
History, Controversy and Criticisms |
A/Prof Ian Stephen |
25 May |
13 |
2 |
Exam |
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1 June |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
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
Grading
Macquarie University, and Psychology undergraduate courses, follow standards-based assessment of student performance. All individual assessment tasks are subject to moderation, consistent with the Assessment Policy and Procedure. A student’s final mark for this unit, and associated grade, must reflect their attainment of the unit learning outcomes, and isn’t necessarily a simple summation of their individual assessment items.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook