Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/The George Washington University/Evolution of the Human Brain (Spring 2019)
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- Course name
- Evolution of the Human Brain
- Institution
- The George Washington University
- Instructor
- Chet Sherwood
- Wikipedia Expert
- Ian (Wiki Ed)
- Subject
- Anthropology
- Course dates
- 2019-01-15 00:00:00 UTC – 2019-04-25 23:59:59 UTC
- Approximate number of student editors
- 30
Course description: In this course, we will examine how the human brain is unique in comparison to other animals, with an emphasis on understanding our species’ distinctive neurobiology in relation to the evolution of cognitive abilities such as language, social comprehension, tool making, and abstract thinking. The course will also entail discussion of recent theoretical developments in the study of primate neural adaptations and how they relate to socioecological selective pressures.
Learning objectives: At the end of this course, students will: (1) know the mechanisms of evolutionary change in brain structure and function, (2) be able to identify the features of the mind and brain that are unique to humans and other primates, (3) critically evaluate the various empirical studies and theoretical arguments in the current scientific literature pertaining to human brain evolution, and (4) synthesize this knowledge to develop new questions about the evolution of the human brain.
The Wikipedia assignment will involve students contributing to articles on important theories in human brain evolution and notable scientists in the field.
Timeline
Week 1
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 15 January 2019 | Thursday, 17 January 2019
- In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia assignment
Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.
Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 1–5
- Evaluating Wikipedia
- Assignment - Get started on Wikipedia
Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you. (Because of Wikipedia's technical restraints, you may receive a message that you cannot create an account. To resolve this, please try again off campus or the next day.)
- Milestones
This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.
Week 2
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 22 January 2019 | Thursday, 24 January 2019
- In class - Discussion
Week 3
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 29 January 2019 | Thursday, 31 January 2019
- Assignment - Exercise
- In class - Discussion
- Guide(s) for writing articles in your topic area
Week 4
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 5 February 2019 | Thursday, 7 February 2019
Week 5
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 12 February 2019 | Thursday, 14 February 2019
- Assignment - Start drafting your contributions
Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have questions using the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, pages 7–9
- Milestones
Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.
Week 6
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 19 February 2019 | Thursday, 21 February 2019
- Assignment - Peer review two articles
- In class - Discussion
- Milestones
Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.
Week 7
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 26 February 2019 | Thursday, 28 February 2019
- Assignment - Respond to your peer review
You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. Consider their suggestions, decide whether it makes your work more accurate and complete, and edit your draft to make those changes.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 12 and 14
- Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have any questions.
Week 8
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 5 March 2019 | Thursday, 7 March 2019
- Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia
Now that you've improved your draft based on others' feedback, it's time to move your work live - to the "mainspace."
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, page 13
Week 9
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 19 March 2019 | Thursday, 21 March 2019
- Assignment - Continue improving your article
Exercise
Now's the time to revisit your text and refine your work. You may do more research and find missing information; rewrite the lead section to represent all major points; reorganize the text to communicate the information better; or add images and other media.
Week 10
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 26 March 2019 | Thursday, 28 March 2019
- Assignment - Polish your work
Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Wikipedia Expert at any time if you need further help!
Week 11
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 2 April 2019 | Thursday, 4 April 2019
- Assignment - Final article
It's the final week to develop your article.
- Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
- Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!
- Assignment - Reflective essay
Week 12
- Course meetings
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- Tuesday, 9 April 2019 | Thursday, 11 April 2019
- Milestones
Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.