The discussion paper will be on reserve the week before. It is your job
to read the paper and make notes in a timely manner. The goal of tutorial
discussions is to provide a forum in which you can clarify concepts in animal
behavior and to develop your skill at articulating your ideas. Readings
for each week will focus on an issue in evolutionary biology. We would like
you to discuss issues based on what you have read. We intend to serve only
as referees in the discussion. Traditionally, two people summarize a paper
and begin the discussion by offering a question, criticism or a comment
on the significance of the paper. Each person should come to the discussion
prepared to summarize the papers and to begin a discussion.
The goal of discussions is to be constructive. Some discussions center
on trying to understand just what the issues really are. (Some issues have
yet to be clarified in the literature.) Other discussions may be critical,
but they, too, should be constructive, including alternative approaches
to a problem. (Discussions that sink into paper or idea trashing are really
boring.) Discussions might also be about the ramifications of ideas, insights
that an idea offers into old problems.
To facilitate participation, the initial discussion groups will be limited
to 5-6 people. About 40 minutes into the hour, the discussion groups will
dissolve and the entire section can air out their ideas.
Speak out! Students are often reticent to speak because they fear that
they might say something dumb or cut down someone else. The fact is that
everyone will eventually say something dumb if they speak off of the top
of their head in a long-running discussion group. It's ok; just say "Oh
well" and go on. Asking questions can be threatening because it requires
admitting that you do not know something. It's true that our society places
a lot of value on knowledge, but think about it this way: As a scientist,
you will be paid for asking questions about things that you do not know.
Finally, there is the issue of criticism. Feel free to take issue with someones
idea, but remember that it is the idea, not the person, that is at
stake. Assume that people will take issue with your ideas and not with you.
Trust is important.