Evolutionary Studies
The Minor in Evolutionary Studies
The Evolutionary Studies minor analyzes contemporary issues in anthropology, psychology, and philosophy with principles of evolutionary biology. While the minor can complement virtually any major field, it is especially relevant to students seeking high level integration of the natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities using contemporary evolutionary theory as an integrative concept; to students aspiring to teach evolution in the middle and secondary school systems; and to students interested in cultivating an evolutionary view of human nature.
The Evolutionary Studies Curriculum
The minor consists of 25 credit hours distributed as follows: Foundations in biology and geology (6 hours); foundations in psychology, anthropology, and philosophy (10 hours); a capstone experience (3 hours); elective courses (6 hours).
I. Biological and Geological Foundations (6 semester hours)
- BIO 220 Biological Evolution
- GLY 225 History of Life
II. Psychological, Anthropological,
and Philosophical Foundations (10 semester hours)
- PSY 301/HNR 301 Evolutionary Psychology
- ANT 202 Introduction to Physical Anthropology
- ANT 202L Introduction to Physical Anthropology Laboratory
- PHI 348/ HNR301 Darwin and Philosophy
III. Electives (6 semester hours)
- ANT 110 Introduction to Archaeology
- ANT 394 Topics: Anthropology
- BIO 405 Invertebrate Paleontology
- BIO 405L Invertebrate Paleontology Lab
- BIO 440 Animal Behavior
- BIO 440L Animal Behavior: Laboratory
- BIO 494 Topics: Biological Sciences
- GLY 220 History of Earth
- GLY 294 Topics: Geology
- GLY 402 Invertebrate Paleontology with Laboratory
- PHI 394 Topics: Philosophy
- PSY 311Biopsychology
- PSY 311L Biopsychology Laboratory
- PSY 337 Animal Learning
- PSY 338 Cognitive Psychology
- PSY 494 Special Topics in Psychology
IV. Evolutionary Studies Capstone (3 semester hours)
Special topics seminar course in Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Philosophy, or Psychology.
Course content may include directed readings, an independent or supervised empirical research experience, a conference presentation (such as a paper or poster presentation), or a term paper. Courses, projects, or research experiences used to satisfy the capstone requirement must be approved by the program director.
Note
Courses not included on the above list may count as electives towards the minor if themes of evolutionary theory play a significant role in the educational experience.
Examples include, but are not limited to, directed readings, directed empirical research, or participation in educational workshops (such as those conducted annually at Sunrock Farm.), or courses that require artistic or literary production.
Students can petition the program director to approve the course before or after the course is completed, but students will need to provide documentation, such as a finished project, a syllabus, or other course materials to support their case.
All courses applied to the minor must be passed with a C or better. No more than 6 hours of course work in the student’s major area can be applied toward the minor.