BIOL 406 - Seminar: A Gene’s Eye View of Sociality

Next Offered: 2015-2016
Semester Offered: First Semester
Full Course
Credits: 4 Credits
Attribute: 4 NS, WADV

The gene-centered view has yielded fascinating insights into the evolution of odd things in nature that would otherwise be difficult to understand, from parent-offspring conflict to meiotic drive. However, some natural phenomena, such as religion, art, and altruism, seem at odds with this view. This seminar explores social evolution through a gene-centered lens and evaluates the success of that perspective in light of cultural evolution, which appears to produce traits that do the gene no good.
Enrollment Limit: 16
Instructor: K. Tarvin
Consent of the Instructor Required: Yes
Prerequisites & Notes
BIOL 200 (formerly BIOL 102) and BIOL 213.