"Well, then" the Cat went on, "you see a dog growls when it's angry and wags its tail when it's pleased. Now I growl when I'm pleased and wag my tail when I'm angry. Therefore I'm mad".
"I call it purring not growling", said Alice.
"Call it what you like", said the Cat. "Do you play croquet with the Queen today?" --Lewis Carroll

Time and Place

Our seminar meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 10:20 in Sabin Reed 225.
Attendance is mandatory.

Course Objectives

The earliest cave paintings illustrate human interest in mammals since the dawn of civilization. Our connection with other animals has many dimensions. This seminar will explore some of the many ways that humans understand just one animal: the lion, Panthera leo. We will explore how our own social nature, our motivations, and our goals alter our perception of the lives of lions.

To see lions from different perspectives we will study them from the primary literature (scientific articles in which researchers present their findings) and the popular press (Schaller’s book on Serengeti lions), as well as from films and fiction (i.e. Cherryh’s Chanur series) and the internet. We will then compare the content, exposition, intent, and organization of these different methods of communication about lions. We will also look more carefully at the breadth of science fiction and fantasy by comparing two very different science fiction series one of which is not about lions at all.

The content of the course is also a vehicle for developing oral, quantitative, and writing skills. The course will provide you with opportunities to experiment with a very broad and diverse array of presentation skills. In this way you will be more prepared for the variety of tasks in which you will need to be skilled not only during your time at Smith but more importantly in your career and the life ahead of you.

Overall, the emphasis in this class is on the intersection of imagination and reality, of creativity and convention, of originality and methodology.

Suggested Texts

• Caputo, P. 2002. Ghosts of Tsavo. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.
• Card, OS. 1985. Ender's game. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Card, OS. 1988. Characters and viewpoint. Writer's Digest Books. Cincinnati, OH.
• Card, OS. 1990. How to write science fiction and fantasy. Writer's Digest Books. Cincinnati, OH.
• Card, OS. 1994. Speaker for the dead. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1982. The pride of Chanur. DAW Books. NY, NY.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1984. Chanur's venture. DAW Books. NY, NY.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1996. Strong characters versus weak character. (www.cherryh.com/www/charac.htm)
• Crowley, J. 1976. Beasts. Bantam Books. NY, NY.
• Packer, C. 1996. Into Africa. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.
• Patterson, BD. 2005. The lions of Tsavo: Exploring the legacy of Africa’s notorious man-eaters. McGraw-Hill, NY, NY.
• Patterson, JH. 1907. The man-eaters of Tsavo. Macmillan, London, England. Reprinted by Capstick, P. 1986. St. Martin's Press, NY, NY.
• Schaller, GB. 1972. The Serengeti lion: A study of predator-prey relations. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL.

Supplemental Texts

• Card, OS. 1996. Xenocide. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Card, OS. 1997. Children of the mind. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Card, OS. 2000. Enders shadow. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Card, OS. 2001. Shadow of the hegemon. Tor, Tom Doherty Assoc. NY, NY.
• Caro, TM. 1994. Cheetahs of the Serengeti Plains: Group living in an asocial species. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, IL.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1985. The Kif strike back. DAW Books. NY, NY.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1986. Chanur's homecoming. DAW Books. NY, NY.
• Cherryh, CJ. 1992. Chanur's legacy. DAW Books. NY, NY.

Reference Books

• Grzimek. 1989. Grzimek's encyclopedia of mammals. McGraw-Hill, NY.
• Nowak, RM. 1991. Walker's mammals of the world. 5th ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
• Pechenik, J. A. 2001. A short guide to writing about biology, fourth edition. Longman, NY, NY.
• Walvoord, BE & Anderson, VJ. 1998. Effective grading. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco, CA

Examples of Oral Skills Exercises

1. A brief introduction: minimal preparation, sitting, 2 min, make notes but don't use them.

   Objective: To convey information about yourself that will be of interest to your colleagues, for instance your name; your previous exposure to or experiences with science, science fiction, cats, Africa, oral skills; your observations or thoughts on the film; or any other topic pertinent to this course.

2. A pre-written lecture, to be read. Must have a handout. 5-minute talk.

   Objective: To give a written speech on the identifying characteristics and diversity of a group of mammals. To practice scholarly research skills. To practice oral skills. To prepare a one-page, black and white handout that summarizes the major facts related by the speech.

3. A graphical description: without notes, with overhead transparency, standing, creative attire, 2-3 minutes

   Objective: To explain all the relevant information on an X-Y graph, ie. Clarify the dependent variable (effect), the independent variable (cause), the relationship between the variables, and the relevance to the content of the chapter.

4. An interview: prepare questions as interviewer, prepare answers as interviewee for a 10 minute interview.

   Objective: To obtain sufficient information to be able to write a 400-word newspaper article addressing the views of your interviewee about a particular aspect (you decide the specific focus) of the readings and films covered to date.

5. A reading: read a passage from 'Pride of Chanur' with appropriate inflection and dramatic interest. Your choice of reading should illustrate how Cherryh's has used the biology of lions to reify the Hani. Five minutes of reading including a short introduction explaining your choice, and a short conclusion summarizing your main point.

   Objective: To illustrate the science in fiction. Your short introduction should explain this aspect and cue your audience with respect to specific segments to note.

6. A radio broadcast: Report on a scene from one of the Chanur books in a 3-5 minute, simulated, radio broadcast. Record the broadcast on a cassette tape to be played to the class.

   Objective: To convert 'fiction' to 'fact'. To look at an event in one of the Chanur books through the eyes of a reporter and to translate that event from the fictional prose into an audio broadcast suitable for NPR or other news-radio broadcast.

7. For 5 minutes, compare the biology of cheetahs and lions using any mode of oral communication not covered by these oral skills exercises such as: job interview, powerpoint demonstration, group presentation, commercial, telephone conversation, poetry recitation, legal formats (opening or closing remarks, lawyer/witness dialogs), formal dialog as in a dramatic play.

   Objective: To better understand the diversity of ways in which evolution allows organisms to adapt to their environments. Both cats live in the same habitat, have a similar phylogenetic history, are of similar size, eat similar prey yet have very different social systems and foraging strategies. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the form and function of each species? For the material you are assigned compare and contrast the biology and study of lions and cheetahs: what is different, what is similar, what causes these similarities and differences.

8. A report: prepare and deliver a 5-minute report on an article about lions from the primary literature.

   Objective: To read a paper from the primary literature on lions and compare it with the information presented in Schaller's book and in the films we have seen so far. How is the information presented differently and why? How is the information itself different and why? In preparing your report, take note of the audiences, years of publication, styles of prose, and organizational structures as well as the content of the material.

9. A debate: teams will argue the following 2 statements: kif are mammals and hani are lions, i.e. hani belong in the genus Panthera. We will use 40 minutes per debate. 20 minutes will be for initial arguments on each side (10 min for, 10 min against). Thus each person will have 2.5 minutes to make an argument. Following will be 8 minutes for rebuttal for each side (16 minutes total, 2 minutes per person). The last 4 minutes are reserved for voting on the issue. Professional appearance.

   Objective: To formulate coherent arguments on a particular issue. To refute opposing views logically.

10. An oral examination: a 10-minute oral examination given by me asking you questions that you and your peers have submitted.

    Objective: To reply aurally to questions about material you have studied. To engage in a discussion about material you have learned.

11. A 20-minute presentation: maximal preparation, with visual aids but minimal notes, formal professional dress and demeanor.

    Objective: Choose a species of terrestrial mammal (but not Panthera leo or Acinonyx jubatus) and spend 15 minutes detailing those aspects of that species biology that you think could be used in a science fiction series comparable to that of CJ Cherryh's Chanur series. For the remainder of the period (5 minutes), read a fictional scene (that you wrote) from that hypothetical series using the information you presented in your essay.

Examples of Written Exercises

Write a 300-word (± 10%) newspaper-style article complete with headline and byline. Material generated from interview done on 10 Sept. Although your interview may cover several topics, the theme of your article should be one specific aspect of the readings and films.

Prepare 10 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions that review what you believe to be important aspects of mammalian biology that we have covered so far.

Lions in art. A picture is worth a thousand words. Write an essay comparing 2 images of lions in works of art. The broad topic of the essay is “Lions in Art.” First, spend 15-20 minutes taking notes on various aspects of the images such as: how the artist used facts about lions to create art; how lions differ from the images; what the images convey to you about lions, about the artist, about life; what you think the artist intended; how do color, proportion, placement of the lion in the scene, and background detail contribute to your thoughts about the image. Make notes about similarities and differences of your 2 images. What is each artist’s understanding of lions? What is each artist’s goal in representing a lion? How is your understanding of lions the same as or different from that of each artist’s? Second, look over your notes and think about possible thesis statements you can make about how different artists convey the reality of lions. Write down 5 possible thesis statements. Finally, choose 1 of your thesis statements and write a 300-500 word essay on it.

Lions in science: This essay is the similar to one above except you will be comparing images created by scientists rather than artists. First, choose 2 images (figures or graphs not photographs): 1 from a primary literature paper on lions and 1 from Schaller (you can use the same images that you used for assignments 3 and 4). Second, take notes on each image. What is each scientist’s goal? What facts or observations are documented? What conclusions are drawn from these facts/observation? How is the information conveyed to the reader? Third, review your notes and think about possible thesis statements you can make about how different scientists convey the reality of lions. Write down 5 possible thesis statements. Choose 1 of your thesis statements and write a 300-500 word essay on it.

Prepare 10 multiple choice questions and 10 short answer questions that review what you believe to be important aspects of mammalian biology relative to this course.

Creating reality in fiction: How does fiction create realistic characters? Read Card's 'constructing characters: the hierarchy' (Characters and Viewpoint, ch 6) and Cherryh's 'strong characters vs weak character' (http://www.cherryh.com/www/charac.htm). Then, create a 1-page, single-spaced outline of each essay. Finally, write a 300-500 word essay using one of the following theses: 1) Card’s characters in Speaker for the Dead (or Ender’s Game) do not follow Cherryh’s criteria for strong and weak characters, 2) Cherryh’s characters in the Chanur series do not follow Card’s hierarchy of characters.

What is an alien/what is alien? How does Cherryh make non-human species less alien to us? What aspects of Cherryh's non-humans remain alien to us by the end of PC? Why? How does Cherryh make her characters alien? Are Crowley's non-human species alien? What does Crowley mean by 'beast'? Would Crowley consider the Hani beasts? Card uses the terms ‘piggies’ and ‘buggers’ rather than giving these species names. How does this make them more or less alien? Write a 300-500 word short essay on some aspect of this topic. Be prepared to present and discuss your thesis with the class.

Daily Happenings

8 Sept - Introductions

• Film: Ambush at Masai Mara (30')
• Oral Skills Exercise (OSE) 1 - A brief introduction

10 Sept - The African savannah ecosystem

• Film: Living Planet 5: Seas of grass (David Attenborough video, 57')

15 Sept - Who's who among mammals, OSE 2

17 Sept - Group structure & movements

• OSE 3 - Chart analysis: P-N
• OSE 4 - Interviews

22 Sept - Intragroup behavior

• OSE 3 - Chart analysis: M-H
• Written Exercise (WE) due - A newspaper article

24 Sept - Individual structure and function, Reproduction

• OSE 5 - Readings: A-D

29 Sept - Populations and Food

• OSE 3 - Chart analysis: G-B
• OSE 5 - Readings: I-L

1 Oct - Environmental adaptations

• OSE 5 - Readings: E-H
• WE due - Multiple choice, short answer questions for Assessment I

6 Oct - Hunting

• OSE 3 - Chart analysis: A
• OSE 5 - Readings: M-P

8 Oct - Assessment I

13 Oct - No Class: Fall Break

15 Oct - Film: Life on Earth 11: The hunters and the hunted (Attenborough video, 60')

• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: OP before film, MN after

20 Oct - Cheetah vs lion biology

• OSE 7 - Open choice, 5-min somethings

22 Oct - Reproductive investment

• OSE 8 - 10-minute reports: A-D
• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: KL

27 Oct - Social behavior

• OSE 8 - 10-minute reports: E-H
• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: IJ

29 Oct - Trials of Life video

• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: GH before video, EF after

3 Nov - No Class: Otelia Cromwell Day

5 Nov - OSE 9 - 2 40-minute debates

10 Nov - Community ecology

• OSE 8 - 10-minute reports: I-L
• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: CD

13 Nov - Conservation

• OSE 8 - 10-minute reports: M-P
• OSE 6 - Radio broadcast: AB
• WE due - Oral Examination questions

17 Nov - Assessment IIa (OSE 10) - 10-minute oral examinations: A-H

19 Nov - Assessment IIb (OSE 10) - 10-minute oral examinations: I-P

24 Nov - No Class: WE due - Multiple choice, short answer questions for Final Exam

26 Nov - No Class: Thanksgiving Break

1 Dec - OSE 11 - A 20-minute presentation: A-D

3 Dec - OSE 11 - A 20-minute presentation: E-H

8 Dec - OSE 11 - A 20-minute presentation: I-L

10 Dec - OSE 11 - A 20-minute presentation: M-P

15 Dec - Film: Lions of the Serengeti (Jane Goodall, 51')

Assignments and Due Dates
Date	Reading	Oral Exercise	Written Exercise
8 Sept		1: Introduction
10 Sept	SL: ch 1-3
15 Sept	SL: ch 4	2: 5-minute talk
17 Sept	PC: ch 1-5	3: Graph, P-N 4: Interviews
22 Sept	SL: ch 5	3: Graph, H-M	Newspaper Article
24 Sept	PC: ch 6-9	5: Readings, A-D
29 Sept	SL: ch 6-7	3: Graph, G-B 5: Readings, E-H
1 Oct	PC: ch 10-14	5: Readings, I-L	MC/SA Questions
6 Oct	SL: ch 8	3: Graph, A 5: Readings, M-P
8 Oct	Assessment I
13 Oct	Fall Break
15 Oct	CV: ch 1-5	6: Radio, P-M
20 Oct	Cheetah material	7: Choice, 5-min
22 Oct	CV: ch 5-9	6: Radio, LK 8: 10-min reports, A-D
27 Oct		6: Radio, IJ 8: 10-min reports, E-H
29 Oct	KS: ch 1-5	6: Radio, H-E
3 Nov	Otelia Cromwell Day
5 Nov	KS: ch 6-10	9: Debates	Abstract for 20-min presentation
10 Nov	TBA	6: Radio, DC 8: 10-min reports, I-L
12 Nov	KS: ch 11-14	6: Radio, BA 8: 10-min reports, M-P	Oral Exam Questions
17 Nov	TBA	10: Oral Exam: A-H
19 Nov	CH: 1st third	10: Oral Exam: I-P
24 Nov	CH: 2nd third		Final Exam MC/SA
26 Nov	Thanksgiving Break
1 Dec	CH: 3rd third	11: 20-min 1-4
3 Dec	TBA	11: 20-min 5-8
8 Dec	CL: 1/2	11: 20-min 9-12
10 Dec	TBA	11: 20-min 13-16
15 Dec	CL: 1/2

Assessments (1000 points)

120 Written Exercises

• Newspaper article (30)
• MC/SA questions for Assessment I (15)
• Presentation abstract (30)
• Oral exam questions (30)
• MC/SA questions for Final Exam (15)

100 Oral Exercises 1, 4, 5, 6 (25 each)
120 Oral Exercises 2, 3, 7, 8 (30 each)
150 Assessment I
150 Assessment II (OSE 10)
150 OSE 11
150 Final Exam
  60 Class participation, attendance, OSE 9