This seminar is intended to foster critical consideration of a range of issues within primate conservation biology. Weekly discussions will be based on several broad topics. We will begin by considering alternative conceptual approaches commonly employed in conservation biology, assessing the present-day conservation status of primate populations and habitats, and discussing the major threats facing wild primate populations. Next, we will consider the relationship between the discipline of conservation biology and the practice of conservation on the ground. We will progress to a discussion of conservation priority setting, strategies and tactics, local human communities as both potential allies and threats to conservation of wild primate populations, and whether primates deserve protection and conservation more than other taxa. Over the course of the semester seminar participants will identify topics of interest that will be pursued in depth and developed through peer review and discussion, culminating in a term paper and formal presentation.

Course Requirements:

Grades are calculated based on participation in and preparation for class meetings (30%), a written term paper prospectus (10%), written peer review of other students’ prospecti (10%), a 20 to 25 page term paper (30%), and an oral presentation (20%). Average reading load is four to six scientific papers or book chapters per week.

Intended Audience:

This course is designed for upper division undergraduate and graduate students, and will appeal to students interested in biological anthropology, ecology, zoology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, or environmental studies.

Class Format:

Class will meet once a week for three hours. Format will be primarily discussion, although at the end of the term students will present their term-paper projects to the class.