bill@ut-emx.uucp (Bill Jefferys) (11/29/90)
The following is a TeX-formatted announcement,
posted as a public service.
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1990-91 Chautauqua Faculty Development Program
Short Courses for College Teachers
Course: 53 \qquad Fee: \$175
{\bf Creation, Evolution, or Both? A Multiple Model Approach}
CRAIG E. NELSON, Department of Biology, and School of Public and
Environmental Affairs, Indiana University
{\bf Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 1991 in Austin TX \qquad Apply: TXA}
Recent legislative, courtroom, and textbook adoption battles
focusing on creationism and evolution have made this a very
exciting area for students and teachers. However, the discussion
has ranged over a much broader set of topics, both scientific and
philosophical, than most faculty have been fully comfortable with
in the classroom. This session is designed to provide faculty with
updated content across the entire scope of the controversy and
with powerful options for dealing with controversial issues in the
classroom.
An overview of the central arguments of the "scientific
creationists" will be presented, in part by selected readings from
Morris' {\bf The Scientific Case for Creationism.} This will be
followed by a summary of the current state of science in areas
central to the controversy. These will include: the relevance of
the second law of thermodynamics, dating methods, the overall
sequence in the fossil record, transitional forms, molecular
aspects, and the processes of macroevolutionary change. In
considering these topics, participants will work directly with a
variety of resources for the students. These will include
Kitcher's {\bf Abusing Science,} selected essays by Stephen Jay
Gould, and articles from {\bf Creation/Evolution.} An overview
will be given of some recent developments in evolutionary theory,
including punctuated equilibria, cladistics, and vicariance
biogeography. Additional considerations will include the
scientific status and falsifiability of evolution (and
gravitation), the purported circularity of natural selection, and
arguments from academic fairness. A major focus will be the nature
of science, decision theory and modes of critical thinking as
essential perspectives for understanding controversial issues. We
will also discuss a variety of theological perspectives which
combine science and a belief in a Creator and examine some tactics
for addressing this level in the classroom without slipping into
indoctrination.
Both the overall sequence and the relative emphases will be
adjusted in accord with the interests of the participants. A major
emphasis will be on developing selected topics in ways which allow
the participants to utilize them directly in their own teaching.
{\bf For college teachers of:} all disciplines. {\bf
Prerequisites:} none.
{\it
{\bf Dr. Nelson} is an evolutionary ecologist who has won major
awards for his teaching of the [sic] evolution and has
participated in several debates with scientific creationists. He
has been an invited participant at major sessions on evolution and
belief, including those at meetings of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science and the National Association of
Biology Teachers. He is a member of the teacher training task
force of the National Center for Science Education and wrote
``Creation, Evolution, or Both? A Multiple Model Approach,''
published by the American Association for the Advancement of
Science in {\bf Science and Creation,} R. W. Hanson, (ed.) in
1986. Dr. Nelson is also associated with the National Center for
Science Education.
}
For more information contact Dr. James P. Barufauldi, Science
Education Center, EDB 340, University of Texas at Austin, Austin,
TX 78712.
Telephone: (512)471-7354 \qquad FAX number: (512)471-4607
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