ESPM 24__________

Discussions on Evolutionary Biology

E-Mail:
pts@nature.berkeley.edu

Office:
219 Mulford Hall

Phones:
Office--(510) 642-8459
Home--(925) 284-2199

Genetics is all about parents and offspring.

The fundamental genetic issue for evolutionary biology (and for genetic management) is the answer to the question: Who will be the parents of the next generation?

"Discussions on Evolutionary Biology" is a seminar course for freshmen that explores the intellectual excitement of evolutionary biology and examines its significance for understanding the world we live in. Weekly readings and roundtable discussions introduce basic facts and principles of evolutionary biology, including both historical perspectives and contemporary issues. Attention is given to popular misconceptions of biological evolution.

Course Information:

• Course Organization.
  
  
• Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments.
  
  
• Notes for the Reading Assignments.
  
  

Resources and References on Evolutionary Biology:

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY. (Go to their web site.)
UCMP's web site is a must. Explore their on-line exhibits. See, read, and learn about many aspects of paleontology, geology, and evolutionary biology. Find links to all sorts of information on these topics. See especially their new site Understanding Evolution . Designed to meet the needs of K-12 teachers, the site provides an informal on-line course covering essential science content, as well as a searchable database of resources for the classroom.

ON THE NATURE AND HISTORY OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY. (Read the PDF File.)
Evolutionary biology encompasses a broad and complex body of knowledge. Different people often are thinking of, and referring to, different aspects of the topic when they use the word "evolution." Read an essay by Professor Spieth that distinguishes the major components of evolutionary biology and gives an historical overview of the growth of the field since the time of Charles Darwin and the publication of The Origin of Species.

DISSECTING THE DISCLAIMER. (Read the HTML File.)
A number of popular misconceptions about evolutionary biology are exemplified by a "disclaimer" that the Oklahoma state board of education promulgated in the late 1990's for inclusion in biology textbooks for their public schools. Professor Kenneth Miller of Brown University analyzed the disclaimer line by line and wrote a short essay that describes, one by one, the misunderstandings that are embodied in the disclaimer.

Resources and References on Evolution & Religion:

NATIONAL CENTER FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION. (Go to their web site.)
A nonprofit, tax-exempt membership organization working to defend the teaching of evolution against sectarian attack. NCSE is a nationally-recognized clearinghouse for information and advice to keep evolution in the science classroom and "scientific creationism" out. The NCSE site provides many useful links. See especially their "Resources" folder.

CENTER FOR THEOLOGY AND THE NATURAL SCIENCES. (Go to their web site.)
The mission of CTNS is to promote the creative mutual interaction between contemporary theology and the natural sciences. The center strives to bridge these two disciplines. CTNS is a non-profit international membership organization dedicated to research, teaching and public service. It focuses primarily on the relation between contemporary physics, cosmology, technology, environmental studies, evolutionary and molecular biology and Christian theology and ethics. Several articles of particular interest with respect to this course can be found on their web site in their "online resources on science and religion".

BEREA ESSAYS BY PROF. ROBERT J. SCHNEIDER. (Go to the web site.)
Dr. Robert J. Schneider is an emeritus professor of Latin and Greek languages at Berea College in Lexington, Kentucky. As distinguished professor of general studies he taught classes in biblical literature, the history of Christian thought, the history of science, and a senior seminar on "Science and Faith." He has written a series of eight excellent essays on science and religion that are posted on his web site at Berea. As a member of the Episcopal Church's national Committee on Science, Technology and Faith, Prof. Scheider chaired its subcommittee on Creation, which produced in 2005 a web document titled "A Catechism of Creation: An Episcopal Understanding" prepared for study in congregations.

WHAT CAN EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY SAY TO THEOLOGY? (Read the PDF File.)
Read an essay by Professor Spieth that provides a few thoughts on this question. The context in which the essay was written was a panel discussion held by CTNS in 1997 at which the theologian John F. Haught presented a paper entitled "Science, Religion, and the Role of Metaphysics."