So far, we have studied what psychology, neuroscience, and primatology have had to say about human connection. We also have studied the issue of human loneliness and how it has been affected by social media and the COVID-19 pandemic. we’d like you to explore a big question. You may choose:
1. What is a working theory you are developing about human connection (as informed by the readings)?
2. How do the findings of scientists like Lieberman, Bowlby, Sapolsky, and de Waal support and/or problematize our understanding of empathy and human connection?
3. What do you view as the advantages and disadvantages of using animal behavior to understand human behavior?
4. What does the science of human connection tell us about how human beings should live our lives, even if it’s different from the way we actually do?
You should draw on at least three authors and two disciplines in your paper. (For example, don’t rely entirely on primatology.) seeing how the ideas you’ve developed so far have evolved as you have engaged in dialogue with your classmates about them and thought about one reading in “dialogue” with another.
It is perfectly OK to use an “I” voice in this paper—we want to know what YOU think. On that note, please no AI. We do not want a “perfect” paper–AI generates a very sterile version of writing that may sound grammatically correct but is usually pretty obviously devoid of real ideas. Rather, we want your paper, imperfections and all, that reflects your human thinking about the issues. (After all, that’s the whole point of the class!)
RUBRIC (OR, HOW TO GET AN “A”)
Papers will be graded by your section leaders based on criteria assessed on a 1-4 scale. The two most important grading criteria for the assignment are:
1. Evidence of deep, original thought about human connection that shows your genuine engagement with the question and with course themes.
2. Use of specific ideas, quotations, and theories from the text. Take these as much as possible from your dialogical response journals. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
And make sure you draw on three different authors and two different disciplines (see
above).
Other grading criteria include:
• Proper citation of quotes and ideas. You may choose whatever style you’re
comfortable with (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), but please follow it carefully and
consistently, and be especially careful to use quotation marks, page numbers (if available), and author names to credit all ideas and quotes from the readings or other sources that are not your own.
• Attention to detail. Again, we want human papers, not machine-perfect ones. effort in terms of grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.
Video link: https://www.ted.com/talks/frans_de_waal_moral_behavior_in_animals