Duration
20h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
First part (J. Delcourt):
In this part, the collective mechanisms at the basis of social behaviours will be discussed:
- the development of social groups and the maintening of their cohesion,
- the dynamic processes of group motion,
- the regulation and synchronisation of collective behaviours,
- the role of homogeneity and heterogeneity of group membership,
- the impact of spatial heterogeneity within the group.
Moreover, social cognition is developed, in particular:
- social transmission information (excepted by learning),
- collective decision-making,
- and swarm (collective) intelligence.
Second Part (F. Brotcorne):
History of the evolutionary theory in relation to social behaviour (socio-biology and socio-ecology). Mechanisms of sexual selection and social stuctures - Altruism parental investment, kin and individual recognition.
A significant part of the course will be devoted to social information in animals: different mechanisms of social information transfer, and social learning within animal groups. Social network analysis.
Animal culture et mechanisms underpinning their acquisition, maintenance and diffusion/transmission within a group.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
First part (J. Delcourt):
Discuss the thematic of social behaviour from the point of view the proximal causes (interaction mechanisms between individuals, ontogeny of collective behaviours), and be able to connect them with the ultimate causes (function and evolution).
Master the main basic concepts of the "living in groups" in animals, be able to understand them and recognize them in context. Be able to connect the matter of the cursus and the reading of recent scientific publications, and to develop its critic mind.
Second part (F. Brotcorne):
Discuss the question of animal social behaviour in the context of evolution.
Proceed to the critical examination of recent developments.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
General ethology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Theoretical lectures
Discussion sessions could be proposed throughout the cursus.
Analysis of recent scientific papers (whether suggested by the lecturer or by the student)
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
The course includes two parts:
1) The first part (J. Delcourt) concerns the collective decision mechanisms in animals and will take place in Sept - Oct 2020
2) The second part (F. Brotcorne) concerns the social learning mechanisms and animal cultures and will take place in Oct - Dec 2020.
The theoritical course is organized in 10 sessions of 3 hours (see schedule on CELCAT).
Teaching langage: French
Teaching modes
Theoretical lectures in class, if possible (mainly at Ruwet room, check the location on CELCAT). See changes of teaching modes according to color codes here below.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
Yellow code: Lectures in class (check schedule/location on CELCAT).
Orange code: Combined method: lectures in face-to-face combined with videoconference by Collaborate. Access to Collaborate via e-campus (main menu, first tab "Collaborate"). Lectures will be recorded and videos will be uploaded on e-campus.
Red code: Lectures given only by videoconference using Collaborate. Access to Collaborate via e-campus (main menu, first tab "Collaborate"). Lectures will be recorded and videos could be downloaded on e-campus.
Recommended or required readings
Powerpoint slides provided to the students and suggestion of additional scientific papers reading.
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Any session :
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
- Remote
oral exam
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
Yellow/orange code: Written exam face-to-face on both partims of the course and taking place on the same day.
Red code: Oral exam by visioconference (Collaborate or Lifesize) on both partims of the course and taking place on the same day
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
See section Modes of delivery.
The dates and schedule are available on CELCAT.
Contacts
Fany Brotcorne : 04 366 51 12 (fbrotcorne@uliege.be)
Johann Delcourt : 04 366 50 79 (johann.delcourt@uliege.be)
Pascal Poncin : (P.Poncin@uliege.be)