Module Description: 

 

Primates are endangered across their geographic distribution. This module will investigate primate ecological diversity and how primate contemporary abundance and distribution are influenced by (especially) the human footprint. You will learn of primate diversity, distribution, and abundance and how principles, skills, and methods from conservation and evolutionary biology relate to primate survival. Specifically, you will assess key issues related to primate conservation, especially biogeography, ecology, behaviour and demography. You will examine the human impact - habitat degradation and deforestation, poaching, conflict - and conservation tools, strategies, and policies that primatologists have to evaluate population status and their approaches to mitigate threats. You will come to understand and critically assess population management, intervention, and educational strategies, as well as the social, ecological, and political complexities of applying them and the impact of cultural and ethical considerations on protecting the world’s primates.

 


 *Module Content:
 

 Brief about the module (explain UG/PG deliveries] see example
 
 
 Teaching content
 
 

*Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you will have:


 Demonstrated an advanced understanding of primate distribution;
 
 
 Evaluated the current state of primate environments in the primate hotspot regions: Neotropics, Africa, Madagascar, SE Asia, in relation to species requirements and threat intensity;
 

 Familiarised themselves with the various tools at conservationists disposal to employ when assessing primate status and also to measure threats;
 
 
 Researched, developed, and presented a case study on a population of their choice and proposed a conservation strategy to assess a primary threat.
 
 
 Used a wide range of resources that support primate research methods and problem solving
 
Have command of the following transferrable skills


 Independent learning, working with initiative and minimal supervision;
 
 
 Independence of thought and analytical, and critical synthesis skills;
 
 
 Oral and written communication and presentation skills;
 
 
 Collaboration and group work;
 
 
 Able to make persuasive arguments;
 

 Time management
 
 

 

*Delivery Method:

The module is divided into two parts: in the first part of the term, you will explore the conceptual and practical dimensions of primate conservation. These include providing a foundation of how species conservation status is assessed, how threats are identified, and which conservation strategies are applicable. In the latter part of the term, you will engage in seminar discussions that will help them build knowledge and understanding towards their independent project presentation, identifying a primate species of interest and the contemporary threats confronting it. You will, in essence, become conservation practitioners, designing and defending a conservation strategy for an endangered population based on some of the key concepts learned earlier in the term.



This module involves a mixture of discussion-based teaching with seminars surrounding contemporary issues in primate conservation and student led project work. It is designed around the principle of practical learning and has a strong focus on learning through peer collaboration and critical thinking.

*Additional Information:

You will receive on-going verbal feedback from peers and the module tutors on your case study project during class, but also present an oral presentation on which the tutor/instructor/peers will feedback. This feedback can then be incorporated into your final poster submission, which is part of the summative assessment.