The main aim of this course is for you to learn about and discuss in some detail a topic that has been a particularly active – and quite controversial – one: animal communication and cognition. It may appear at first sight a relatively small and specialist subject, but you will soon learn that there is a huge literature on it. One reason for this is that it has special relevance to ourselves because clearly communication and cognition are things we are particularly good at. For clues as to their evolution we must look about among various groups of birds and mammals.
A large part of the course is on vocal learning and we will consider various case histories of species that have been studied in particular detail. In addition to thinking about why animals learn their sounds, we’ll consider other consequences that may or may not be to their advantage, like dialects for example, or vocal mimicry. We will also think about mechanisms of vocal learning like when and from whom the learning takes place.
A large part of the course is on vocal learning and we will consider various case histories of species that have been studied in particular detail. In addition to thinking about why animals learn their sounds, we’ll consider other consequences that may or may not be to their advantage, like dialects for example, or vocal mimicry. We will also think about mechanisms of vocal learning like when and from whom the learning takes place.
Course Type: 2024-2025 Modules
Shared Course: No
Feeder Course: No