SW 322 - Evolutn: Hist of Contrvrsy

Institution:

DePaul University

Subject:

Description:

The biological universe is wondrously complex and diverse. Evolutionary biologists study the processes that brought about that diversity and complexity. Evolutionary theory attempts to answer many questions. What are the different kinds of organisms Why are there these kinds of organisms and not others By what mechanisms do new kinds appear or old kinds change What is a biologic species Why do some organisms have sex while others do not The history of evolutionary thought is a history of controversies in evolutionary thought. We will examine the evidence and arguments on all sides of a question and we will discover how that evidence and those arguments changed through time. Through lecture, readings, and hands-on activities, students will be introduced to form and content of major evolutionary debates. Through class discussion and short position papers, students will argue their opinions on these debates from the point of view of their selected competencies. Students will be expected to complete an exploratory visit to the Field Museum as a homework assignment. The Internet is a lively resource for any course on evolution. In this class, students will gain some Internet literacy as they search for sources and view newsgroup debates. They may even correspond with some of today's evolutionary thinkers. We will also have a pass-word-protected newsgroup for private class discussion.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.depaul.edu

Phone Number:

(312) 362-8000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Quarter

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