Evolution and Biology of Sex. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

This course will examine the biological basis of sex determination and resultant gendered behavior in all animals, including humans. We will discuss how and why sex evolved, how different organisms express (& often change) their gender, and what selection pressures shape mating systems and mate selection. In addition, we will examine how gender-specific selection influences offspring care and attachment, aggression and friendship. Throughout the course, we will evaluate which principals can and cannot be extrapolated to human behavior as well as how we as humans project our ideas of gender onto our study of the natural world. We will critically discuss contemporary articles concerning gender in the popular media.