The articles or chapters will often provide opposing opinions or evidence on the subject and should therefore be read critically. Everyone should come to seminar prepared to briefly summarize the assigned reading for the group. The topics we will be addressing should lend themselves to lively discussion. The plant mating system literature is currently very active with many diverse voices. Researchers can be found with strongly contrasting views for almost all of the theoretical topics we will discuss.
Empirical methods used to collect data usually involve unavoidable compromises.
Interpretations of data may often be based on untested assumptions. It will be important for our discussions to have all participants contributing their views on the reading. I would also like our discussion to cover both positive and negative aspects of the papers. I expect everyone in this class to participate in all discussions. Your primary responsibilities in this role will be to choose a topic for discussion, identify papers for the class to read, and facilitate discussion during the seminar meeting.