Announcements

Announcement 01 - Welcome

10 October 2022 - As advised during the first session, no lecture will be held during the coming week, Monday 17 October 2022. All sessions will be postponed by a week and the last session is now scheduled for the 19 December 2022. Course schedule below has been updated accordingly.

Academy Documents

Please access the Students' Policies & Forms through this link. The following documents are all available in the link - Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct,  Students' Privacy Notice, Deferral, Suspension, and Cancellation Policy, Assignment Extension Policy, Re-Sit Policy, Complaints Procedure Policy, Equality Policy and Student Disciplinary Policy

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Online Sessions' Link

To connect to the online sessions of this study programme please click on this link. You will be asked to register your attendance for each session you join, if you are not already signed in into your Zoom account. You will also be asked for the password which is below.

Meeting ID: 886 0405 2154

Passcode: 738122

Make sure that you show with your name & surname as you have been registered for the study programme. This is very important for attendance purposes

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Lecture Schedule & Notes

Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.

LectureDateTimePresentationNotes (If Any)Session Recording
Lecture 0110 October 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 01Buss Evolutionary Psychology 5th Ed.Request
Lecture 0224 October 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 02Request
Lecture 0331 October 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 03Request
Lecture 047 November 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 04Request
Lecture 0514 November 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 05Request
Lecture 0621 November 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 06Request
Lecture 0728 November 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 07Request
Lecture 085 December 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 08Request
Lecture 0919 December 202217:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 09Request
Lecture 1009 January 202317:30 to 20:00hrsPresentation 10Request
Presentations Session16 January 202317:30 to 18:30hrs

Lecturer 

Ms Sonya Sammut

 

Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading

 

Lecture 1 - About People and About the Workplace: the Fundamentals

Topics

  1. Introduction to human behaviour
  2. Enterprise as a process
  3. Introduction to the approach around evolutionary psychology
  4. The concept of evolutionary mismatch
  5. The concept of the blank slate
  6. Introduction to the idea of human nature
  7. Workplace issues
  8. The biological basis of behaviour and the individual
  9. Examples of the relationship between business and human nature
  10. An overview of the topics covered in the course

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the fundamentals of behaviour according to the principles and theories of evolutionary psychology, including concepts such as the biological basis for behaviour, instincts and the blank slate, human nature, evolutionary mismatch, etc.
  1. A knowledge of the fundamentals of the workplace, the enterprise and entrepreneurship, as a process that brings together all of those things that are necessary to establish and run a successful business, and including things such as common workplace issues, the relationship between business and human nature, etc.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 2 - A Trip to the Biology Department: Basics of Evolutionary Theory

Topics

  1. The Standard Social Science Model
  2. Human socio-biology
  3. Evolutionary theory
  4. Biological adaptations
  5. Evolutionary psychology
  6. Common misunderstandings in evolutionary psychology
  7. The function of psychological faculties
  8. Evolutionary mismatch

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of human socio-biology and evolutionary theory, with a focus on key concepts such as natural selection, sexual selection, kin selection, and inclusive fitness.
  2. A knowledge of the basics of evolutionary psychology, including theoretical principles, common misunderstandings, mismatch, etc.
  3. A knowledge of biological adaptations such as emotions (fear, disgust, parental love, etc.), hunger, pain, etc.
  4. A knowledge on how to prepare employee job descriptions and personnel specifications

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 3 - A Focus on the Individual: the Central Six and the Big Five Personality Traits

Topics

  1. Personality in organisational behaviour
  2. Human personality traits
  3. General intelligence
  4. Measuring the Big 5
  5. Extraversion
  6. Neuroticism/emotional stability
  7. Openness
  8. Conscientiousness
  9. Agreeableness
  10. Fitness benefits of the Big 5

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the Central Six and the Big Five Personality Traits: General intelligence (IQ), and OCEAN – Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
  2. A knowledge of how understanding these traits and their fitness benefits can inform and support important workplace processes such as project management, conflict resolution, recruitment, and people management policies and practices.
  3. Understanding of human motivation to take action to prevent and remedy undesirable behaviour, including corrective and disciplinary action as well as systems of reward.
  4. Identify and manage risk as the uncertainty of outcome of different strategies.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 4 - A Focus on the Individual: Sex Differences

Topics

  1. The nature of sex differences
  2. Sex differences in personality, skills, emotions, preferences, and more.
  3. Discrimination on the basis of sex and gender stereotypes
  4. The working woman effect
  5. The dilemma of the working mum
  6. The modern work environment: an evolutionary mismatch
  7. Sexual harassment

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of sex differences: the biological basis for differences and similarities between males and females, with a focus on those traits, abilities, and aspirations that are relevant to the workplace.
  2. A knowledge of how sex differences effect gender issues at the workplace including work-life balance, working mums, sexual harassment, etc.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 5 - Emotions at Work: the Function of Coordinating Mechanisms

Topics

  1. Emotions as evolved solutions
  2. Programmes controlled by emotions
  3. Different types of emotions and how they work:
  4. Fear, anxiety, anger, shame, disgust, depression, stress, envy, hunger.
  5. The moral emotions

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the biological mechanisms behind different types of emotions, such as fears and anxieties, envy, anger, shame, guilt, etc., and the coordination and regulation responses.
  2. A knowledge of how the different emotions guide our behaviour and how this can be applied to the workplace in things such as competitive or aggressive behaviour, antagonism, envy, conflict, strategic interference, anger issues, resolving ethical issues, etc.
  3. Understanding how to monitor employees’ productivity, efficiency, satisfaction, and well-being.
  4. A knowledge of human motivation to take action to prevent and remedy undesirable behaviour, including corrective and disciplinary action as well as systems of reward.
  5. Identify and manage risk as the uncertainty of outcome of different strategies.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 6 - Lift Outside Work: Parental Care and Relationship with Kin

Topics

  1. The challenges of parenting
  2. The costs and benefits of parental care
  3. Maternal investment
  4. Parental favouritism
  5. Parental investment
  6. Parent-child conflict
  7. The effect of upbringing
  8. Conflict within families
  9. The role of grandparents
  10. Problems of kinship

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the nature of relationships with children, and relatives, including issues related to parenting, child care, genetic relatedness, family conflict, and the work-life balance.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 7 - Solutions for the Team: Esteem Dynamics

Topics

  1. Self-esteem and self-confidence
  2. Sex differences in confidence
  3. Esteem dynamics
  4. The sociometer theory
  5. Self-esteem and status
  6. Emotions in self-esteem
  7. Prestige, status, and reputation
  8. Social attention holding potential

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge and an understanding of the biological functions and mechanisms of status and esteem, including principles and theoretical foundations that explain how esteem effects status, emotions, and reputation.
  2. A knowledge of how this can be applied to improve confidence and esteem, in situations such as performance and public relations.
  3. A knowledge of how to set performance agreements and conduct performance appraisals.
  4. Understanding of human motivation to take action to prevent and remedy undesirable behaviour, including corrective and disciplinary action as well as systems of reward.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 8 - Solutions for the Team: Status, Rank, and Dominance

Topics

  1. The meaning of leadership
  2. Understanding the biological basis of leadership
  3. Routes to status: dominance, prestige, and competence
  4. Prestige signalling
  5. Leading and following
  6. Tactics to progress in status hierarchies
  7. Sex differences in status striving and expression of dominance
  8. Differences in rank
  9. Effect on emotions

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge and understanding of the biological functions and mechanisms of status including principles and theoretical foundations that explain dominance, leadership, and rank.
  2. A knowledge of how these principles can be applied to the workplace in teams, leadership, mentoring and coaching, communication and public relations.
  3. Understanding of communicating, effectively, efficiently and with impact by knowing one's audience and targeting the message well.
  4. A knowledge of human motivation to take action to prevent and remedy undesirable behaviour, including corrective and disciplinary action as well as systems of reward.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 9 - Solutions for the Team: Cooperation, Alliances, and Friendships

Topics

  1. Kindness
  2. Altruism
  3. Cooperation alliances
  4. The problem of cheating
  5. Cooperating strategies
  6. Promoting co-operation
  7. Emotions involved in co-operation
  8. Friendships

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the biological basis of co-operation: the nature, mechanisms, and trade-offs behind co-operative behaviour and alliances, including altruism and friendship.
  2. A knowledge of how these concepts can be applied to the workplace to foster collaboration, in teams, with stakeholders, and how to make a distinction between professional relationships and friendships.
  3. Understanding of human motivation to take action to prevent and remedy undesirable behaviour, including corrective and disciplinary action as well as systems of reward.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

Lecture 10 - The Modern Organic Enterprise and Workplace: Built around Human Socio-Biology

Topics

  1. Dimensions of well-being
  2. Evolution at the workplace
  3. Needs of employers and employees
  4. A healthy corporate culture
  5. Evolutionary psychology for a healthy workplace
  6. Mental health at the workplace – an evolutionary perspective

Learning outcomes

  1. A knowledge of the organic business model: the building blocks of a modern enterprise that is based on human nature, behaviour, relationships, and the right workplace environment.

Core Reading List

  • BUSS, D. M., 2019. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Sixth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis.
  • STEWART-WILLIAMS, S. 2020. The Ape that Understood the Universe. How the Mind and Culture Evolve. Cambridge University Press.
  • PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books.
  • SAPOLSKY, R.M. 2017. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst. Penguin Books.

 

Methods of Assessment

1 Assignment 80% of final score

1 Presentation 20% of final score

Assignment

You have to choose 1 out of the 3 questions which are available in the Assignment Submission form below. Assignment should be submitted by not later than Thursday 26 January 2023. The assignment has to be submitted together with the Assignment Submission Form through 21 Academy's plagiarism software turnitin. Please indicate the questions which you have addressed in the Assignment Submission form and upload assignments in pdf format. Do not scan assignment but convert/save it directly to pdf. We ask you to keep the similarity percentage very low and definitely below 20%. You should  review and rephrase any assignments which show more than 20% similarity. Any assignments submitted above 20% similarity will not be scored and considered as failed.

Assignment Submission Form (This will be made available by the 7th session)

Please read further below in how you are expected to plan, design and submit your assignment and how your assignment will be assessed.

Presentation

You will be asked to design and deliver a presentation. The presentation should be  delivered in 10 minutes. The presentation will be delivered on the 12 December 2022 during the last session. A copy of your presentation should be submitted through 21 Academy's plagiarism software turnitin by not later than 30 minutes before the start of the lecture on 12 December 2022.

Please read, fill in and submit the Presentation Submission Form (This will be made available by the 7 session) together with your presentation. This Presentation Submission Form  includes the question which has to be addressed through your presentation,

Note that the submitted presentations will be scanned for plagiarism.

Please read further below to understand how you are expected to plan, design, submit and deliver your presentation and how your presentation will be assessed.

 

Assignments

If you need information on how to plan, draft and submit your assignment follow the 21 Academy presentation on Writing and Submitting your Assignment.

We are also making the 21 Academy's Assignments Rubric available for your guidance. This is a performance-based assessment tool. Tutors will use the rubric to assist them to allocate scoring while it allows students to understand what is required in the assignment and how it will be graded.

 

Referencing Style

Your assignments, presentations and reflective noted should be referenced using the Harvard Referencing style. Please follow this video to understand this referencing style.  Harvard Referencing Style.

 

Submitting Assignments - turnitin

The Academy will notify you that assignment questions are available through an email. Through another email sent to you by turnitin (probably on the same day) you will be notified that you have been added to a "class" where you may upload your assignment/s. Assignments should be submitted by not later than 23:59hrs of the assignment submission deadline shown on the Assignment Submission form and/or the "class".

At 21 Academy you can submit more than one draft of your assignment before the submission final deadline. The last version left uploaded at the submission deadline will be considered to be your final submission paper and will be the one which will be assessed. Make sure that your final submission does not go beyond 20% similarity when including direct quotations (the sentences in-between quotes).

Follow this very short video to understand how to submit your assignment through turnitin - submitting a paper

To understand the similarity report generated by turnitin follow this 1 minute video - understanding the similarity report

 

Presentations

We are also making the 21 Academy's Presentations Rubric available for your guidance. This is a performance-based assessment tool. Tutors will use the rubric to assist them to allocate scoring while it allows students to understand what is required in the assignment and how it will be graded.

A copy of the presentation should be submitted to the academy at least the day before it is meant to be presented in-class. Work in the presentation should also be referenced using the Harvard Referencing style.