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Econ 106 // Prof. Dan Friedman

Evolutionary Thought in the Social Sciences

The course covers evolutionary thought from Malthus to the present. It includes biological evolutionary theory since Darwin, but the emphasis is on the evolution of human social behavior and institutions. Non-genetic evolutionary mechanisms such as learning, resource redistribution and entry/exit are studied as well as the genetic mechanism.

Students are expected to have already completed upper-division coursework in a Social Sciences major or in another relevant major such as Biology or Philosophy. The course will be reading intensive. It is also writing-intensive and fulfills the campus W requirement.

Office hours:

• Dan Friedman (instructor): M W 2-3:30pm in 417 E2

• Don Carlisle (TA and writing tutor): M 11:15-12:15, W 1:45-2:45 in 403F E2

Miscellany:
* This news clip discusses recent UCSC research on DNA and protein synthesis.

Readings // All // //

• Presentation schedule // Posted on 2008-05-20

  • The current lineup of presentations. Be sure to check it, so that you aren't surprised when your turn comes up. Also, be sure that Don has your ppt (or other file to project on the screen) by 10am the morning of your presentation.
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• ppt presentations // Posted on 2008-05-19

  • Pdf files for the Russia and Japan powerpoint presentations in class May 19.
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• notes #3 // Posted on 2008-04-27

  • These notes summarize much of the lecture material for the third week.
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• notes #4 // Posted on 2008-04-27

  • These notes summarize much of the lecture material for the fourth week. This version corrects some errors (undeleted passages) in the version that appears in the Reader.
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• sample questions // Posted on 2008-04-27

  • Questions for quizzes and the midterm will be adapted mainly from this document.
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• Table A5 // Posted on 2008-04-27

  • The Reader seems to have omitted this table on the moral system. It should have appeared near page 328 of the Reader.
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• Term Project Lineup 2008 // Posted on 2008-04-13

  • The current list of topics chosen for term projects this year.
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• term project topics // Posted on 2008-04-08

  • A list of topics chosen by students in a previous class. A sample of term papers are available for perusal during Dan's office hours.
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• more term projects // Posted on 2008-04-06

  • Another list of topics chosen by students in previous classes. A sample of term papers are available for perusal during Dan's office hours.
  • - download

• notes #2 // Posted on 2008-04-06

  • These notes summarize much of the lecture material for the second week.
  • - download

• discussion questions #2 // Posted on 2008-04-06

  • Please keep these questions in mind as you read the assigned selections in week 2, focusing on biology. Be prepared to present your answers in class discussions on Wednesday and (especially) Friday. The document also contains reminders about opportunities and obligations.
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• tutor schedule // Posted on 2008-04-04

  • Free tutoring on writing available from the Econ department 5 days a week!
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• writing group guidelines // Posted on 2008-04-03

  • A time-tested UCSC guide for how to get the most out of your writing group
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• term project rules // Posted on 2008-04-03

  • The rules governing your term project. Includes: + due dates + page counts + style hints
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• style guide // Posted on 2008-04-03

  • A publisher's manual on how to format the bibliography, etc, etc.
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• bibliography // Posted on 2008-04-02

  • some books and a few articles related to the material covered in class.
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• discussion questions #1 // Posted on 2008-03-30

  • Please keep these questions in mind as you read the assigned selections from Malthus and Darwin the first week. Be prepared to present your answers in class discussions on Wednesday and (especially) Friday.
  • - download

• notes #1 // Posted on 2008-03-30

  • These notes summarize much of the lecture material for the first week.
  • - download

• syllabus // Posted on 2008-02-21

  • The official course syllabus. Updates are possible.
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