Terrence Deacon

Research Bio

Professor Deacon's research has combined human evolutionary biology and neuroscience, with the aim of investigating the evolution of human cognition. His work extends from laboratory-based cellular-molecular neurobiology to the study of semiotic processes underlying animal and human communication, especially language. Many of these interests are explored in his 1997 book, The Symbolic Species: The Coevolution of Language and the Brain.

Research Expertise and Interest

neuroscience, anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, evolutionary biology, neurobiology, semiotics, primates, linguistic theory

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring
  • Directed Reading  [ANTHRO 298]  

  • Directed Research  [ANTHRO 299]  

  • Senior Honors  [ANTHRO H195B]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [COGSCI 199]  

2025 Fall
  • Fieldwork  [ANTHRO 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [ANTHRO 199]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [ANTHRO 99]  

  • Senior Honors  [ANTHRO H195A]  

  • Senior Honors  [ANTHRO H195B]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [COGSCI 199]  

2025 Spring
  • Directed Reading  [ANTHRO 298]  

  • Directed Research  [ANTHRO 299]  

  • Senior Honors  [ANTHRO H195B]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [COGSCI 199]