Professor Marc Hauser's Courses

 



Evolution of Human Nature  (Harvard Science B-29); M,W,F 1-2 PM; Every Fall Semester

Marc Hauser, and Richard Wrangham
Human behavioral biology and behavior are considered in a broad evolutionary context, showing how the facts of development, physiology, neurobiology, reproduction, cognition, and especially behavior are informed by evolutionary theory and comparative evidence. Field and experimental data on other species are introduced with the aim of illuminating human behavior. Behavior is traced from its evolutionary function as adaptation, through its physiological basis and associated psychological mechanisms, to its expression. The role of ecology and social life in shaping human behavior is examined through the use of ethnographics and cross-cultural materials on a variety of human cultures. Topics include basic genetics, neural and neuroendocrine systems, behavioral development, sex differences, kinship and mating systems, ecology, language, and cognition.

Syllabus: PDF
 

Animal Cognition: Research Seminar (Harvard Psychology 1152); TBA; Every Fall and Spring Semester

Professor Marc Hauser
An introduction to issues, laboratory techniques, and field methodology in animal cognition. Students develop and pilot research projects. Empirical research is accompanied by a critical reading and discussion of papers on such topics as language evolution, concept acquisition, acoustic perception, and domain-specific knowledge.  In addition to research and reading, the course is also designed to give students experience in science writing, including writing a grant, a popular science essay, and full research paper suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 


 

Evolution of the Mind (Harvard Psychology 2250) and Evolutionary Psychology (MIT BCS 9.250); Spring 1999

Professors Marc Hauser and Steve Pinker and Dr. Tecumseh Fitch
Explores the problem of cognitive evolution, integrating current theoretical arguments from evolutionary biology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive development, evolutionary psychology, ethology, and the philosophy of mind. Addresses such questions as: Is language necessary for certain domains of knowledge? Are there innate concepts? What is the language of thought and can non-linguistic creatures have it? What makes humans different from other animals? How does natural selection sculpt the architecture of the mind? Summary of Lectures: PDF  (If you don't have acrobat reader, get it here.)

Categories and Concepts (W 1-4 PM); Spring 2000

Professors Marc Hauser and Alfonso Caramazza
This course explores the nature of human and non-human animal categories and concepts. We use theoretical insights and methods from cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, philosophy, evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, and ethology to address such questions as: Do particular conceptual representations require language? How is conceptual knowledge organized in the brain? Are there innate cocepts? Do animals have abstract conceptual representation? How did human conceptual representations evolve? Are conceptual representations based on features, prototypes, or theories? These questions will be explored by reviewing current papers, as well as through discussion with invited speakers.

Summaries: PDF
 

Theory and Evidence in Cognitive and Neuroscience (Harvard Psychology 2265); Tuesdays 1:30-4:00 pm)

Professors Alfonso Caramazza and Marc Hauser
A challenge for all sciences is to determine what constitutes a reasonableargument based on the data at hand.  In this seminar, we explore the kinds of assumptions and theoretical accounts offered by the practitioners of cognitive science and neuroscience.  In particular, we attempt to lay bare through a case-study approach with prominent examples how the field of cognitive science/neuroscience is practiced and how arguments are developed from the existing findings.  We examine such problems as: the mental imagery debate, how an infant's looks tell us about its thoughts, the extent to which evolutionary theories of human thought can be tested, how neuroimaging data inform our understanding of mental representation, what inferences can be made from the study of the performance of damaged systems, the role of computational modeling in theory evaluation and development, and so on.

Syllabus: PDF
Summaries: PDF
 

Evolutionary Ethics  (PSY 1153); Tue 1-4pm, Room 374 WJH; Spring 2001

Professor Marc Hauser
Explores the biological foundations of our ethical behavior, integrating theoretical and empirical advances from evolutionary biology, cognitive science, neurobiology, economics, philosophy, and law. Discusses evolution of religion, legal issues, nonhuman morals, and human values.

Syllabus: PDF