• The Cognitive Animal: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives on Animal Cognition.  Edited by Marc Bekoff, Colin Allen, and Gordon M. Burghardt. MIT Press, 2002.  ISBN: 0-262-52322-1.

• Additional readings available at Marriott Library Reserve Desk (Electronic Researve):
• (Book) The Cognitive Animal . (CA)
• (Book) Readings in Animal Cognition . (RAC)
• (Book) Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and Animals (AAA)
• (Book) The Animal Mind (AM)
• See Course Schedule for articles on reserve.

Humans are animals, yet we commonly set ourselves apart from other animals.  It has long been held that humans are distinct from animals in that we are rational, use language or possess a type of (self) consciousness that other animals do not.  In the last three decades the study of animal minds has undergone something of a renaissance, producing a renewed interested in the relationship between the minds of humans and the minds of animals.  Animals as varied as crows, dogs, monkeys, bees and even octopus have demonstrated a greater intelligence (rationality?) than was previously thought likely.  Language studies in chimpanzees, parrots, and dolphins are revealing new insights into the nature of language and mind.  And studies on the (self) consciousness of apes, dolphins and other animals suggest a wide variety of types of consciousness in the animal kingdom.  In this workshop we will examine the scientific merits and philosophical implications of these studies for understanding the human mind and our place in nature.  We will address questions such as, what are rationality, language and consciousness?  What evidence do we have that non-human animals possess anything like a mind?  How does this compare to human mentality?  Is the difference between humans and animals in kind or merely a difference in degree?  Is there a difference?  What does this tell us about the evolutionary history of human mentality?  What do the answers to these questions tell us about human nature and our relationship to other animals?  What ethical implications follow from the possibility that animals have minds similar to humans?  These and other questions will be addressed by reading a sampling of research in cognitive ethology, behavioral ecology, and cognitive psychology, but we will also look at the rich philosophical tradition about the nature of rationality, language and consciousness that informs these studies.

The workshop will be divided roughly into three sections that will focus on those features of the mind that are traditionally taken to be unique to humans: rationality, language and consciousness.  This core will be framed at the beginning by a brief historical review of views on the nature of animal minds, and at the end either by a look at some of the ethical issues raised by the possibility of animal minds or questions regarding the evolution of mind in both humans and animals.  This workshop will be run in a seminar format with several lectures interspersed throughout the semester.  Ideally the students will be responsible for presenting the readings and generating discussion on these topics.

The course grade will be calculated on the basis of several features, including attendance/participation, daily reading responses, two short papers and a final paper.  Extra credit is available in the form of class presentations on a topic or reading of special interest.  The grade will be calculated as follows:

10%	Attendance/Participation : attendance is required and participation is strongly encouraged.
20%	Daily Reading Responses : for each reading schduled the student is expected to write up a brief (1-2 page) response paper which should include three items.  First, the response should have a summary of the main argument or points in the reading.  Second, the student should provide a critical response to this reading, e.g., a criticism, insight or general reflection on the subject matter of the article.  And, third, the student should write down some questions or hypotheses about the reading topic that can be raised in class discussion.  If more than one reading is assigned, the response paper should include each reading (when multiple articles are assigned they will share similar themes, so this shouldn't be overly burdensome).  Reading responses are due in class on the day of the assigned reading.
40%	Short Papers (2 for 20% each): two short (1500 word max.) papers will be assigned during the semester.  See schedule for due dates.  These will be focused discussions of a topic or question related to the readings or class discussion.  Some topics will be provided for the students.  A description of what is required and how I grade papers is available here: Writing Papers for Prof. Benham
30%	Final Paper : at the end of the semester the student will submit a more substantial paper (approx. 2500 words) on a topic of interest to the student.  The purpose of this final paper is for the student to develop his/her ideas on a topic of personal interest relevant to the class.  Some suggestions will be provided, but this paper should reflect a semester-long course of research and study on the topic.  A description of what is required and how I grade papers is available on the above link to Writing Papers for Prof. Benham.   See schedule for due date.

• The official regulations regarding academic dishonesty (see Sec. V): http://www.admin.utah.edu/ppmanual/8/8-10.html#SECTION%20V
• ADA Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodations be provided for students with physical, sensory, cognitive, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities. Please contact the Center for Disability Services (162 Union Building) if you will need any such accommodations.  http://disability.utah.edu/
• Tutoring is available through the ASUU Tutoring Center in the Student Services Building, Room 330.  Cost is $6.00 per hour.  Students are given a list of tutors to contact so that they may schedule a day, evening or weekend appointment.  Students who qualify for a Pell Grant may also qualify for free tutoring.  For more information call 581-5153 or check the following web site:  www.sa.utah.edu/Tutoring/
• Writing Center: in addition to the ASUU Tutoring Center, the University Writing Center at the Marriott Library is available.  More information can be found there by accessing http://www.writingcenter.utah.edu/ .  They are opened to help students with their writing: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and  4 p.m. to 9 p.m.;  Friday 9 a.m. to 1p.m.; and Saturday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.