term paper topic choose one H u m a n i t i e s

Your primate research project will consist of four stages: the first stage involves picking a topic which deals with primate evolution, and getting some preliminary background information on the subject from your textbook.  The second part involves going to the library and/or to the Internet to locate at least four professional sources on your subject.  After you have a general understanding of your subject,  you will be putting together information from your text, other professional sources, class presentations, videos, and zoo notes to compile a term paper which will be due two weeks before the end of the semester (see schedule).   The following is a more specific breakdown of the project.

Choosing the term paper topic

Choose one of the following term paper topics. You must pick a subject which can be discussed through the grades of primate evolution (see attachment on last page). Popular topics of term papers include, but are not limited to the following:

A. Evolution of Primate Intelligence

Discuss the changes which occurred in intelligence through primate evolution.  Intelligence is correlated with brain size, gestation period (amount of time the fetus is in the womb), social organization, and mating patterns.  Include two or more of these related areas in your discussion.  Elaborate on the evolutionary modifications and some of the theories which have been proposed for these changes.

B. The Evolution of Primate Diet and Dentition

Discuss the changes which occurred in diet and dentition through primate evolution. Diet is correlated with dentition (number and type of teeth), and with type of digestive tract.  Among the terrestrial monkeys and apes there is sexual dimorphism in teeth between males and females.  Elaborate on the evolutionary modifications and some of the theories which have been proposed for these changes.

C. The Evolution of Primate Locomotion and Body Configuration

Discuss the changes that occurred in locomotion and body configuration (length of arms relative to legs and torso) through primate evolution.  Include hand proportions, tail lengths and type, body size and hair density in your discussion.  Elaborate on the evolutionary modifications and some of the theories which have been proposed for these changes. 

D,  The Evolution of Primate Olfaction and Vision

Discuss the changes which took place in olfaction (smelling ability) and vision through primate evolution.  Include prognathism (jutting out of lower face), placement of eyes on head, stereoscopic vision and color vision in your discussion.  Elaborate on the evolutionary modifications and some of the theories which have been proposed for these changes. 

E,  .The Evolution of Primate Sexuality and Social Organization

Discuss the changes which took place in sexuality and social organization through primate evolution.  Include a discussion of multi-male, dominant one male, and pair bonding in your discussion.  Also talk about mother-infant nurturing, the concept of the estrus cycle, and male vs. female sexual receptivity. Elaborate on the evolutionary modifications and some of the theories which have been proposed for these changes.

Fleagle, Jonathon

1999        Primate Adaptation and Evolution, New York:  Academic Press

Use these on line sites for help in writing the paper:

Gramarly.com-All students must use this before handing in paper

Noodle.com-Helps with documentation and paraphrasing formats.

Easybib.com-Helps with reference cited