This is a 10-page essay in which you will reflect upon each of the chapter themes in Why Evolution Is True. It should include reflections on your development and understanding of what evolution is and is not. It should include your personal journey of discovery related to the concept of evolution. It should also include philosophical, theological, and sociological reflections as well as a demonstration of a scientific understanding of evolution. Additionally, you should critique and evaluate the ideas presented in the book using your scientific understanding of the process of evolution. A rough draft will be due during Module 6 and a final draft will be due during Module 7.
Finding Your Inner Fish
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Distinguish between the scientific and the colloquial use of the word "theory."
- Define evolution and indicate why it is viewed as controversial by non-scientists.
- Describe and apply the scientific method.
- Explain the apparent significance of Shubin's discovery of Tiktaalik.
Assignments
Module 2 Written in the Rocks
Objectives At
Written in the Rocks
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the mechanisms of fossil formation.
- Reconstruct the history of life from fossil evidence.
- Evaluate the evidence that scientists use to determine the age of rocks.
- Explain how the fossil record could support/refute the theory of evolution.
Homologies: The Great Family Tree Revealed
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Distinguish between analogy and homology.
- Compare scientific and non-scientific interpretations of homology.
- Explain how homologous structures support the theory of evolution.
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Describe how populations change over time in response to biotic interactions and their environment.
- Distinguish between micro and macroevolution.
- Illustrate microevolution in action using several "real world" examples from the literature.
Macroevolution
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the link between the concepts of micro and macroevolution.
- Explain the biological species concept.
- Apply knowledge of reproductive isolating mechanisms to explain past speciation events.
The Evolution of Humans Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Compare major theories of man's recent evolutionary history.
- Define human.
- Identify features of humans that are relics of man's common evolutionary history with other animals.
- Discuss several indirect means that scientists have used to learn about man's evolutionary origins.
The Meaning of It All: Is Evolution True?
Objectives At the conclusion of this module, students will be able to:
- Present and defend their views on evolutionary theory.