EVOLUTION OF COOPERATION AND CONFLICT: BIO 384K

Fall Semester 2001, Monday, 1:30-4:00 pm; PAT 141SA

Prof. Ulrich Mueller; Patterson 629; umueller@mail.utexas.edu; 232-5775

We will discuss the evolution of conflict and cooperation at multiple levels of biological organization, including not only associations between kin and conspecifics, but also between genes, cells, individuals, groups, and higher levels of biological integration, such as mutualisms between species.  Readings will include a mix of primary and review papers. Participants are expected to lead a discussion and participate in the writing of a review paper on a topic of their choice.

Sept. 10    Reproductive Conflict-of-Interest and Interest Alignment Discussion/lecture organizer: Mueller

Sept. 17    Interaction Payoffs and the Cooperator's Dilemma

Sept. 24    Reciprocal Altruism, Indirect Reciprocity, and the Evolution of Reputation

Oct. 1       Kin Selection, Reproductive Skew, Concession Theory, & Eusociality

Oct. 8       Parent-Offspring Conflict, Sibling Conflict, & the Evolution of the Family

Oct. 15     Communication Conflict: Lies, Handicaps, Mind-Reading, & Manipulation

Oct. 22     Sexual Conflict

Oct. 29     Species Interaction/Integration, Mutualism Meltdown, & Virulence Attenuation

Nov. 5      Intragenomic Conflict

Nov. 12    Sociobiochemistry, Self-Organization, & the Origin of Life

Nov. 19    Multilevel Selection, Superorganisms, and "Gaia"

Nov. 26    Topic to be decided by class

Dec. 3      Topic to be decided by class