New Course for January 2008!


The Facts

Lecture: Mon - Fri 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Required Travel: four days at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN during late January, dates to be announced

Costs: Unfortunately, due to the travel, a cost of less than $600 per person will be required. Exact costs will be posted as soon as they are known.

Prerequisites: none.

Required Texts: Hank Fischer's Wolf Wars and a course reading packet.

Enrollment: Due to space limitations on the field trip, the class is limited to 9 students.

Offered: most likely, Jan 2008 only

For questions, contact Dr. Carlin at jcarlin@gac.edu.


Course description

We will study the fields of evolution, genetics, community ecology and conservation biology with a well-studied socially complex predator as a single case study. Wolves are also symbols and surrogates for sociopolitical attitudes, and social attitudes towards nature and its conservation,. Readings include critically evaluating scientific literature and a popular book. Class activities include extensive writing, mathematical modelling as well as guided discussions. First-hand experiences of wolf behavior and wildlife ecology, including tracking and radiotelemetry, will be undertaken at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota (extensive snowshoe hiking is expected).



Classroom activities

Interactive lectures will alternate with discussions of Wolf Wars and technical papers on wolf biology and management. Grading will be based primarily on position essays, two math assignments and a lecture quiz or two.

The course is taught from the perspective of evolutionary and community ecology as well as population dynamics. Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation are important themes that will be investigated throughout the class. Specific topics covered include, but are not limited to, evolution, conservation genetics, food webs, population growth, social systems in mammals, endangered species law, valuation philosophies of nature.



Laboratory activities

There is no oncampus laboratory for this course, although two periods will be spent in a computer lab. A 4-5 day trip to the International Wolf Center is currently being arranged, during which students will make observations of a captive wolf pack, track both wolves and their prey by snowshoe, dogsled and airplane.


Dr. Carlin and his Whitman College Conservation Biology students clearing brush for the Wolf Education Research Center in Idaho, 2005.

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Gray wolf, Canis lupus








Red wolf, Canis rufus.








Features of the underside of the wolf skull.