None, all readings will be given out before we will read them

The books are available online at Amazon or at Barnes and Noble or in NYC at Labyrinth Books, 536 W. 112th (112th and Broadway), 865-1588, Hours: M-F 9AM - 10PM; Sat 10AM - 8PM; Sun 11AM - 7PM.

Michael A. Huston, Biological diversity: The coexistence of species on changing landscapes, Cambridge University Press, 1994, reprinted 1996. Barnes and Noble, Amazon

Leslie A. Real & James H. Brown, Foundations of Ecology: Classic papers with commentaries, Chicago University Press, 1991. Barnes and Noble, Amazon

For this class, we have several things that we wish to accomplish.  First, you should be able to do a thorough literature search using both books and research articles by the end of the term.  Second, as a consequence of our reading material drawn from the primary literature, you should know how a scientific paper is structured and how to read one.  Third, you will become comfortable reading original research papers.  Last, you will begin to develop a specialty in some aspect of the evolution of tropical biodiversity that will come out of your individual research paper.

Your grade in this course will be determined as follows:
• Participation - 20 pts
• Leading discussions (3 or 4) & discussion summaries - 25 pts total
• Paper questions - 10 pts
• Individual research paper - 35 pts
• Individual research presentation - 10 pts

You will be required to lead a number of discussions (approximately 3 or 4) later in the course for topics that will be determined later.  During these discussant opportunities you will first give a 15-20 minute introduction to one of the papers that we are discussing for that part of the day.  These introductions will include the following: background for the research (why it was done), main hypothesis tested by the paper, methods of how the test was performed, results, and how they were interpreted.  Afterwards, we will talk about the paper and you will facilitate the discussion of this paper.  You should have a minimum of 5 interesting questions that are relevant to the ideas presented in the paper that could be used for generating discussion.  At least two people will be presenting a discussion on two separate papers each week.

These will be two pages long, wherein you summarize our discussion of the paper that you present.  You should address the following: background for the paper (why it was done), main hypothesis tested by the paper, methods of how the test was performed, results, how the paper interpreted the results, and some of the perspectives on the paper voiced during our discussion. If you would like to also include your perspective on the paper, please do so.  Click here for a sample of a discussion summary. Your summaries should be turned in before the day you are to lead the discussion of the paper. Both prose and bullet format are acceptable.

When you are not presenting the paper, you should come to class prepared with at least three questions about EACH paper to help move the discussion along.  The presenter should bring an extra copy of their presentation outline and the other class members should bring an extra copy of all of their questions for that day.   These should be turned in to JDB before class begins.

You will be expected to compose a thorough secondary research paper (at least 20 double-spaced pages long) on one of the topics that is related to something we discuss in the class or something else that you are particularly interested in that relates to tropical ecology.  In this paper, you will review the material that has been written about your subject in the primary literature from a viewpoint that is uniquely your own.  The general subject must apply to the ecology and/or evolution of tropical biodiversity.

We will be taking advantage of the Writing Fellows for this project. Each of your three drafts (outline, first, and final draft) will be evaluated by our writing fellow, Allegra Molineaux. Due date schedule is as follows:

• Subject and reference listing – 12 Feb.
• Outline of paper – 15 Mar. (note this is the Friday before spring break)
• First draft of paper – 9 Apr.
• Final draft – 23 Apr.

You will turn in the final draft to JDB on 7 May. I have samples for each of these steps from earlier classes that you should use as models, come see me if you would like to see them.

After having chosen the subject for your independent paper, you will research and present an oral presentation of your library research work.  The oral presentation should focus on one of the components of your paper. Your talk will be presented in the same manner as all other discussions.  Therefore, find a short paper that summarizes your topic well that can be distributed to the class.  These presentations will comprise the last module in the class.