JOSeVAZQUEZ, DEPARTMENT EDITOR AV & Software Review

human anatomyand physiol- tures provide an overviewof BIOLOGY ogy high school course, or hormones compared to neu- & HUMAN advancedplacement biology. rotransmitters,how they regu- These lectures are extremely late the brain, and ways that BEHAVIOR stimulating,not only because hormones play a role in indi- Dr. Sapolsky is an engaging vidual behavior. Lecture 0- Biology and Human lecturer,but also because he Seven is particularlyprovoca- Behavior: The Neurological is perhaps one of the best tive in examining the role of 0 Origin of Individuality. known authors in the field testosterone in aggressive Video series of eight lectures who frequently contributes behavior in males and the given by Dr. RobertSapolsky, to Scientific American, basis for testicular feminiza- Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/65/6/468/51420/4451537.pdf by guest on 02 October 2021 . Course Discover,and Harper's. tion syndrome. The last lec- No. 179. The Teaching ture,A Synthesis:The Biology of Lecture One examines Company, 4151 Lafayette Who WeAre deals with some z TheBasic Components and it is Center Drive, Suite 100, extremes of human behavior an overview of the nervous Chantilly,VA 20151-1232. For such as obsessive-compulsive system. It is a superb review pricing information contact disorder and schizophrenia. of nerve cell . (800) 832-2412or www.teach- The lecture ends with the LectureTwo, Neurochemistry: co.com since substantialdis- implicationsof variousbehav- How Two Neurons counts (up to 70% off) are ior patternsat the philosophi- Communicate, deals with offered throughout the year. cal and societallevel. Runningtime: 6 hours. synaptictransmission and the pharmacologycontrolling the The course includes a Well-known professor process. Lecture Three, detailed guidebook outlining and author,Robert Sapolsky, Plasticityin the Synapse:How each lecture and providing deliversa series of eight com- LearningWorks, looks at how essential and recommended prehensive lectures on how communication within and readings, application ques- the brain works, how it regu- between neurons changes tions, a glossary,and a bibli- u) lates the functioning of the over time and its effect on ography. These lectures can body (including the release learning and memory.As he easily become a substitute of hormones), and how these goes along, Dr. Sapolskyreit- teacherwhen you are not so in turn regulate human erates philosophical issues comfortablediscussing these behavior. These lectures are about these topics. Lecture topics, or when you are aimed to a college or general Four covers The Dynamicsof unable to be in the classroom. audiencebut can be used in a InteractingNeurons. This is a Youcan rest assuredthat your sophisticated lecture and students will be in very capa- might not be easy to digest ble hands when having Dr. ,1" JosE VAZQUEZis a Professorof without some advancedphys- Sapolsky lecture them. He Science in the General Studies iology background(and may reinforces difficult concepts Programat New YorkUniversity. be skipped to accommodate with great overhead figures He holdsan undergraduatedegree your student group). Lecture and simple language. Once from the Universityof PuertoRico Five covers The Autonomic againThe TeachingCompany and a graduatedegree from the Nervous System (ANS). It reiteratesits well-established Universityof Pennsylvania.His explores how the ANS regu- reputationas a serious educa- teachingexperience ranges from lates the organs of the body tional companycommitted to elementaryschool to collegelevel. and influencesindividual dif- producethe highest qualityin Hispredominant passion in educa- ferences. Lectures Six and teachingresources. tionis teachingscience (particular- Seven examine : ly genetics)to giftedstudents. His Generatingan EndocrineSignal Jose Vazquez address is: Shimkin Hall 327, and Endocrinology II: GeneralStudies Program NYU,50 W 4th St., NewYork, NY HormonalEffects on the Brain, New YorkUniversity 10012;e-mail: [email protected]. respectively. These two lec- ,NY 10012

468 THEAMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER, VOLUME 65,NO.6, AUGUST 2003