Honors 4474
Short Paper Topics #2

Below is a list of five possible topics for the first short paper.  Pick a topic that interests you most and then write a focused paper that is clear, thorough and critical.  But remember the paper is short, about 1,500 word maximum, so get to the point without a lot of unnecessary filler.  Use examples from the readings, discussions, observations or videos shown in class to illustrate your point.

1. Cognitive Maps: It appears that most every animal has the capacity to represent its environment so that it can successfully navigate through it.  Discuss the cognitive maps of one of the various animals we have read about, such as bees, birds, monkeys, apes, etc.  What does this research tell us about cognitive maps?  What type of problems face the interpretation of this research?  What does the possession of a cognitive map tell us about the minds of these animals?

2. Problem Solving: Several animals demonstrate the capacity to solve problems that might ordinarily require some forethought or insight (e.g., Alex, Ravens, other birds, Chimpanzees, Gorillas, etc.).  Describe some of this research and determine what is suggests for the type of mental/cognitive capacities of these animals.  Are there alternative explanations for these behaviors that does not appeal to complex problem solving?  Given what you know of the research, how likely is this alternative explanation?

3. Meaning: Review the research about animal warning signals (prairie dogs, vervet monkeys, chickens, etc. and determine how we might interpret the meanings of these calls.  Do they have meaning in any important sense?  If so, what does this tell us about the minds of that animal?  You might want to compare these vocal signals with gestural signals, as well.

4. Animal Language: Review the ape language research (if you don’t like ape language then focus on Alex or the Dolphin studies) and determine whether this research has produced genuine language in apes.  Your paper should touch on any number of relevant issues, which might include a brief discussion about what is language; objections raised against this research; comparisons with other animal communication; etc.  In the end, explain what you think this research tells us about the minds of animals.

5. Consciousness: We have looked at several different types of consciousness displayed by animals.  Central to these different types is a basic distinction between sentience (basic awareness of one’s surroundings) and sapience (self-awareness).  Discuss whether you think animals have one or both of these types of consciousness.  What experimental support is there for your view?  What objections might be raised against your view? In the end what does a concern about consciousness tell us about animal minds?