US 214 - Evolution: Conflicts from Darwin to ID

Institution:

Arcadia University

Subject:

Description:

A study of the conflicts raised by the theory of evolution, from the reception of Origin of Species in the 1860s, to the Scopes Trial in the 1920s, the legal struggle over scientific creationism in the 1980s, and the appearance of intelligent design in the 2000s. The course will include a survey of the evidence from palaeontology (the fossil record) and genetics, and of the scientific objections and difficulties (such as the blending inheritance problem, rudimentary organs problem, the "missing link," and others). We will consider the origin of American fundamentalism in connection with the Scopes trial, the rise of Social Darwinism and the spread of eugenic ideas. This is a University seminar intended for upper classman. The method of instruction will be lecture and discussion. It is likely that the students will be asked to make presentations to the class on assigned topics (e.g., why did Darwin wait so long to publish? What were Darwin's views on religion? How did William Paley formulate the Argument from Design and what role did the illustration of the eye play in it? What does Behe mean by "irreducible complexity"?) and to write a term paper. We also anticipate taking one or two museum trips, depending on what exhibits are available.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.arcadia.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 572-2900

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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