Course Summary
The course 'Introduction to Chimpanzees' is a comprehensive overview of the history, behavior, and conservation of chimpanzees, covering topics such as their social structures, communication methods, and threats to their survival.Key Learning Points
- Learn about the fascinating behavior and social structures of chimpanzees
- Understand the threats to chimpanzee populations and conservation efforts
- Gain a deeper appreciation for these intelligent and complex animals
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a thorough understanding of chimpanzee behavior and social structures
- Learn about the threats to chimpanzee populations and the importance of conservation efforts
- Develop a deeper appreciation for the intelligence and complexity of chimpanzees
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- None
- A basic understanding of biology and ecology is helpful
Course Difficulty Level
BeginnerCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Wildlife Conservation
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- David Attenborough
- Dian Fossey
Related Books
Description
Chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives, yet almost nothing was known about their behavior in the wild until Jane Goodall started her groundbreaking study of the chimpanzees of Gombe, Tanzania in 1960. This study continues today, following the same chimpanzee families that Jane Goodall first encountered over 55 years ago. Guided by three course instructors who have lived and worked with the Gombe chimpanzees, you will learn how Goodall’s early discoveries changed our view of human uniqueness. By completing the course, you will gain a new appreciation of the deep similarities between chimpanzees and humans in intelligence, tool use, hunting, personality and social relationships, as well as some key differences. You will learn how chimpanzees interact with their environment and how their behavior is influenced by ecology, as well as the severe conservation challenges they face today. And you will employ your new knowledge of chimpanzees to construct a persuasive argument for their protection. This course is open to everyone interested in learning more about these fascinating and complex beings. Knowledge of high-school level biology is beneficial but not required. Please keep in mind, however, that the content of this course will cover all aspects of chimpanzee life, including scientific discussion of sexual and aggressive behaviors.
Outline
- Introduction
- Welcome
- Course Information
- Jane Goodall Institute Wiki
- Course Glossary
- The Early Days
- Early Days at Gombe
- Early Discoveries
- Habituation
- What We Can Learn From Chimpanzees
- Data Collection at Gombe
- New Technologies at Gombe
- Chimpanzees in Africa
- Community Structure
- Population Differences
- Africa In My Blood by Jane Goodall
- Discussion Prompt: Studying Chimpanzees
- You can participate as a citizen scientist for chimps
- Discussion Prompt: Studying Behavior
- Discussion Prompt: Comparing Chimpanzee and Human Behavior
- Jane's Arrival and Early Days at Gombe
- What We Can Learn from Chimpanzees
- Chimpanzee Range and Ecology
- Week One Comprehensive Assessment
- Just for fun: Identify these chimps!
- Early Life and Mother-Infant Bonds
- Pregnancy, Birth, and Newborns
- Community Reactions to Newborns
- Costs of Motherhood
- Developmental Milestones
- Weaning and Independence
- Siblings and Playmates
- Playing to Learn
- Discussion Prompt: Comparing number of infants between chimps and humans
- Temper Tantrums
- Discussion Prompt: Orphans
- Discussion Prompt: Play
- Pregnancy and Newborns
- Infancy
- Play
- Week Two Comprehensive Assessment
- Making a Living in the Forest
- How Do Chimpanzees Spend Their Time?
- Rest and Nest Making
- Travel
- Feeding
- Cognition and Feeding
- Tool Use and Extractive Foraging
- Hunting
- Interactions with Other Species
- Discussion Prompt: Activity Budget
- Discussion Prompt: Path length
- Finding Food
- Discussion Prompt: Interactions with other species
- Rest and Travel
- Feeding and Foraging
- Interactions with Other Species
- Week Three Comprehensive Assessment
- Social Lives and Relationships
- Living in Groups: Cooperation and Competition
- Intergroup Competition and Cooperative Range Defense
- Within-Group Competition
- Copy of Living in Groups: Cooperation and Competition
- Introduction to Dominance
- Male Rank Attainment
- Alpha Tenures and Takeovers
- Female Dispersal
- Female Rank Attainment
- Core Areas
- Relationships
- Affiliative Behavior
- Sexual Swellings
- Female Mating Strategies
- Male Mating Strategies
- Paternity and Inbreeding Avoidance
- Patrols
- Discussion Prompt: Living in Groups
- Discussion Prompt: Dominance
- Discussion Prompt: Dispersal Patterns
- Discussion Prompt: Social Bonds
- Discussion Prompt: Female Dispersal
- Discussion Prompt: Female Sexual Swellings
- Intergroup and Within-Group Interactions
- Male Behavior
- Female Behavior
- Relationships and Behavior
- Mating and Reproductive Success
- Week Four Comprehensive Assessment
- Protecting Chimpanzees
- Status of Chimpanzee Populations
- Deforestation and Industry
- Bushmeat and the Illegal Pet Trade
- Disease
- Endangered Species
- The Role of Zoos and Sanctuaries
- Chimpanzees in the Media
- The Work of TACARE
- The Work of Roots and Shoots
- How You Can Help
- Discussion Prompt: How many wild chimps?
- Discussion Prompt: How does your smartphone affect chimpanzee habitat?
- Discussion Prompt: Chimpanzees as pets
- Project Information
- Status of Chimpanzee Populations Across Africa
- Captive Chimpanzees
- Get Involved
- Week 5 Comprehensive Assessment
Summary of User Reviews
Read reviews of the Chimp Behavior and Conservation course on Coursera. Students love the engaging and informative content, and appreciate the insights gained from studying chimpanzee behavior. Overall, the course is highly recommended for anyone interested in primatology and conservation.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Insightful content and engaging presentationPros from User Reviews
- In-depth exploration of chimpanzee behavior and conservation
- Well-designed course structure with clear learning goals
- Engaging video lectures and interactive quizzes
- Opportunities for discussion and collaboration with peers
- Expert instruction from leading primatologists
Cons from User Reviews
- Some students found the course challenging and required additional support
- Limited opportunities for personalized feedback from instructors
- Some technical issues with video playback and course materials
- Not suitable for those with a casual interest in the subject
- Some students found the workload to be quite heavy
Emily Boehm
4.9 Raiting
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