Module 1: Hierarchy of life
Life is organized into various levels, from molecules to through social organisms. Life generally evolves from less complex to more complex organisms, however we still have prokaryotic and single celled life. These modules are designed to give an alternative perspective on evolution where organims evolve through a tranistions in individuality while cooperating and cheating. This first module is designed to give an overview of the theme all these modules take as well as serve as a benchmark to review back to throughout the modules. Each module ties into this first module and should be viewed and taught as the overall theme for these lessons in complexity, cooperation, cheating, and individualtiy.
Transitions in individuality
The hierarchy of life serves as a framework for exploring the origins of life's diversity. In this teaching module, the hierarchical nature of life on Earth is explicitly addressed. This theme serves as the organizing principle for the subsequent modules, each of which explores an aspect of the evolutionary processes that led to this hierarchical structure. Module 2 addresses the formation of groups, a critical step in ETIs. Module 3 looks at the processes of cooperation and conflict, which must be resolved for a group to become an individual. Module 4 focuses on a specific example of an ETI, the evolution of multicellularity in the volvocine algae.