11:00 – 12:15 TH
Muenzinger E417
Instructor:
Gregory Carey
Offices: Muenzinger D261B
Phones: 492-1658
FAX: 492-2967
Email: gregory.carey@colorado.edu
Home Page: http://psych.colorado.edu/~carey
Office Hours:
(1) Official: 1:00 -- 3:00 T
(2) Semi-official: Call for appointments
(3) Very unofficial: Fridays after 5:30: Med, Hungry Toad
NOTE: I am very flexible about seeing students, so do not hesitate to drop in unannounced.
Course Requirements:
Consistent lecture attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged for three reasons. First, the majority of the most important material is covered in the lectures. Second, some sections of the reading can be complicated, so lecture attendance can help you to sort out the important material from the background information. Third, dates of tests and assignments listed later under ÒTentative ScheduleÓ are indeed tentative. The actual date of tests and assignments will be announced in class at least one week before the actual test or assignment. Students are responsible for knowing the dates of tests and assignments. If you miss class and require information about tests or assignments, please contact me.
Grading is based on performance on the tests and papers. Raw points are added and letter grades are based on a curve rather than on percent correct. Your instructor has never experienced a semester in which students would have done better on a Òpercent correctÓ basis than on the curve. It is the studentÕs responsibility to make certain that all assignments—tests and papers—are completed on time. Exceptions must be approved by the instructor.
DO NOT EMAIL ASSIGNMENTS unless you have made special arrangements with me beforehand!
Textbook:
Carey, G. (2003) Human Genetics for the Social Sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Course Web
Pages:
http://psych.colorado.edu/~carey/Courses/PSYC3102/
http://psych.colorado.edu/hgss
http://psych.colorado.edu/~carey/hgss2/hgss2.php
General
Outline of the Course:
This section of behavioral genetics deals
exclusively with human behavior. Animal models, breeding regimens, and
methodology specific to animals will not be covered. The reason for the selected content is
entirely practical--there is insufficient time to cover both animal and human
behavioral genetics in a one semester course.
The
course is divided into three general modules:
Module 1: Genetics. This section of the course will introduce the social science student to the science of genetics. Topics include molecular genetics, Mendelian genetics, metabolic disorders, chromosomal disorders, linkage and association designs, and the genetics of complex disorders. Although the material in this module is largely factual and objective, the examples of basic genetic principles are behavioral. The major goal of this section is to appreciate the numerous ways and mechanisms in which genes can influence behavior and social influences can influence gene expression. Because this module is quite lengthy, two tests are usually given.
Module 2: Individual Differences. Why
are som people shy while other people are very outgoing? Why do some people do well at school
while others struggle just to pass?
This section of the course examines the roles that genes play in
creating individual differences among us humans. Topics include overviews of
the twin and adoption designs, the genetics of personality, the genetics of
cognitive ability, and the genetics of psychopathology. The final exam covers this section of
the course.
Module 3: Evolution and Evolutionary Psychology. This section of the course examines behavior from the perspective of evolution. Topics include population genetics and the principles of evolution, biological constraints on behavior, human behavioral adaptations, and mate preferences. The major goal of this section is to appreciate how millions of years of mammalian and primate evolution contributes to many different aspects of our behavior today. Often a paper is given in place of an exam for this section of the course.
Tentative
Schedule:
NOTE VERY WELL: This schedule is tentative, especially
with regard to the dates of tests.
Usually, tests do not occur on the dates falling on
this schedule. I want to finish a
certain amount of material and then give a test on that material. The date for a test will always be
announced at least one week prior to the test.
|
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
|
01/17 |
Introduction |
|
|
01/19 |
History - I |
|
|
01/24 |
History - II |
|
|
01/26 |
Background to Molecular Genetics |
Chapter 2 |
|
01/31 |
The Gene and the Genetic Code |
Chapter 3 |
|
02/02 |
Protein Synthesis |
|
|
02/07 |
Genetic Regulation and Development |
Chapter 4 |
|
02/09 |
Mendelian Traits - I |
Chapter 5 |
|
02/14 |
Mendelian Traits - II |
|
|
02/16 |
Catch up – Review |
|
|
02/21 |
Exam I |
|
|
02/23 |
Disorders with Complex Genetics |
Chapters 6 |
|
02/28 |
New Genetics |
Chapters 7 |
|
03/01 |
Chromosomes |
Chapter 8 |
|
03/06 |
Mendel, Morgan & Association |
Chapter 9, 10, 11 |
|
03/08 |
Mendel, Morgan & Association |
|
|
03/13 |
Exam II |
|
|
03/15 |
Quantitative Genetics |
Chapters 17, 18 |
|
03/20 |
Quantitative Genetics |
|
|
03/22 |
Intelligence – I |
Chapters 20, 21 |
|
03/27 |
Spring Break: Class held in Cabo |
|
|
03/29 |
Spring Break: Class held in Cabo |
|
|
04/03 |
Intelligence II |
|
|
04/05 |
Personality |
|
|
04/10 |
Personality |
|
|
04/12 |
Psychopathology |
Chapter 22 |
|
04/17 |
Family Environment & Culture |
|
|
04/19 |
Evolution – I |
Chapter 23 |
|
04/24 |
Evolution - II |
|
|
04/26 |
Evolutionary Psychology - I |
|
|
05/01 |
Evolutionary Psychology - II |
Chapters 15,16 |
|
05/03 |
Evolutionary Psychology - III |
Chapters 15,16 |
The final exam period is scheduled for Monday, May 7, 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.