Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Learning Methods

Lecture
Practical
Tutorial
Workshop

Module Offerings

5217NATSCI-JAN-CTY

Aims

This module will provide background to the topic of animal communication, from its evolution and function, to its flexibility and adaptation to human dominated landscapes. The systems and modes of animal communication will be examined as will the wide range of communication across the animal kingdom.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Explain the relevance of anatomy and physiology of structures to animal communication.
2.
Synthesise information about the evolution and function of communication, especially natural selective pressures on communication modes.
3.
Recognise and discuss the function, use, flexibility, and consequences of communication modes across a range of animal taxa.

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:Definition and evolution of communication. Signal production and reception. Physiological bases and anatomical structures relevant to communication. Modes of communication: visual, acoustic, chemical. Deception and honesty in signalling. Behavioural ecology of communication. Animal communication in human dominated environments. Taxon based case studies.
Module Overview:
This module provides a background to the topic of animal communication, from its evolution and function, to its flexibility and adaptation to human dominated landscapes. The systems and modes of animal communication will be examined, along with the wide range of communication across the animal kingdom. The module will explore how animal communication compares to human language, the means through which animals communicate and what they are communicating to each other.
Additional Information:This module will explore the means through which animals communicate and what they are communicating to each other. Different systems and modes of communication will be explored via case studies focusing on different taxonomic groups.

Assessments

Portfolio
Essay
Presentation