Evolution in
America
Betsy
Sherman
Fall 2007
Tues., Fri. 8:10
am –
10:00 am
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this website
for downloads and updates
Topics
-the science of
evolution
what
is evolution
The Peppered Moth,
by Ken Miller
Embryology and Evolution
Evo-devo
is
it science?
what
are the units of selection
-what are the
criticisms?
creationist
arguments
intelligent
design and the Wedge
Intelligent design: a special report from
Natural History magazine
Carroll on Behe-intelligent design
Evolution Religion and Free
Will
Padian
testimony at Dover trial
Ken
Miller discusses his testimony at Dover trial
I won't teach evolution
Survey
given to biology teachers
Cornell Evolution Project
Questionnaire-print it out and submit it on Tues. Nov. 13
Gould's Non-overlapping magisteria
Cambrian
evolution-molecular arguments
criticisms
from the left
The genetics of
cognitive abilities and disabilities
DNA
and prejudice
Wild
streak-it runs in the family
the nature of human nature
The
blank slate-Steven Pinker
-does it matter?
Course
requirements
The
readings for
this course will be taken mainly from a collection of papers that I
will either
distribute or are to be downloaded from our class website.
Of course, students are encouraged to
branch out and do more than the minimum required reading. Students are
expected
to come to class prepared, having read the assignment carefully so that
they
can participate in discussions (which also requires keen listening). Attendance is required.
There is no particular number of classes that you are able to
miss. If I feel that your commitment to
the
work is insufficient, you will be asked to leave. Do
not be late for class as it disrupts all of us. There
will be several writing
assignments to be determined.
From time to time, I may give a brief quiz on the assigned
reading at
the beginning of a class. Late
papers will not be accepted.
All of the assigned work must be completed in order to pass this
course. If you must miss a class
it is your responsibility to get the assignment and come to the next
class
prepared. Please do not email me
or leave phone messages for trivial matters (e.g. is it ok for me to be
late...can you put the assignment in my box...etc.).
Please check my office hours (posted outside my
office, Dickinson 108) or make an appointment with me at the end of
class.
When
you read a
paper, read it once to get the argument and then again so that you can
take
notes. Try to distill the main
point of the paper. Be sure to
write questions that will facilitate our discussion.