TY - JOUR
T1 - "Evolution for Everyone"
T2 - A Course that Expands Evolutionary Theory beyond the Biological Sciences
AU - O'Brien, Daniel Tumminelli
AU - Wilson, David Sloan
AU - Hawley, Patricia H.
N1 - Funding Information:
Abstract A firm grasp of evolution is invaluable for understanding our own species in addition to the rest of the biological world; however, not only does much of the American public reject evolution, but many thinkers within the scientific community resist its application to their own disciplines. In an attempt to overcome these challenges through education, the Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program at Binghamton University (B.U.) strives to present evolution as a theory relevant to all human-related subjects. Here, we present the cornerstone of this program, “Evolution for Everyone,” an introductory-level, general education course with an academically diverse student population. The curriculum delves into Darwin’s theory and uses it to illustrate not only classical biology but how the same ideas pertain to the full range of human-related disciplines. This material is framed in terms of scientific inquiry, including direct participation in research. An evaluation of the course has demonstrated that it increases both understanding and acceptance of evolution and its relevance to human-related academic disciplines and everyday life. The EvoS program has received National Science Foundation funding to
Funding Information:
Binghamton University’s (B.U.) EvoS (for Evolutionary Studies, pronounced as one word) program is a comprehensive effort to teach evolution as part of a scientific approach to all human-related subjects in addition to the biological sciences (Wilson 2005, 2007). Initiated in 2003, it is now becoming the basis of a nationwide consortium of programs funded by the National Science Foundation (http://www.evostudies.org/) that currently includes groups from over 35 institutions. A cornerstone of an EvoS program is an introductory “Evolution for Everyone” course that immerses students from all backgrounds and academic disciplines in both evolutionary theory and the scientific process. Here, we describe the course that has been developed at Binghamton, which includes the following features:
Funding Information:
Acknowledgments We would like to extend special thanks to participants of B.U.’s EvoS program and SUNY New Paltz’s EvoS program, in addition to Craig Nelson and Brian Alters serving as advisors during the formation of EvoS. We also thank the National Science Foundation for funding the expansion of this class’ goals as well as the infrastructure that will permit its exportation.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
PY - 2008/11/26
Y1 - 2008/11/26
N2 - A firm grasp of evolution is invaluable for understanding our own species in addition to the rest of the biological world; however, not only does much of the American public reject evolution, but many thinkers within the scientific community resist its application to their own disciplines. In an attempt to overcome these challenges through education, the Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program at Binghamton University (B.U.) strives to present evolution as a theory relevant to all human-related subjects. Here, we present the cornerstone of this program, "Evolution for Everyone," an introductory-level, general education course with an academically diverse student population. The curriculum delves into Darwin's theory and uses it to illustrate not only classical biology but how the same ideas pertain to the full range of human-related disciplines. This material is framed in terms of scientific inquiry, including direct participation in research. An evaluation of the course has demonstrated that it increases both understanding and acceptance of evolution and its relevance to human-related academic disciplines and everyday life. The EvoS program has received National Science Foundation funding to expand into a nationwide consortium, providing a strong infrastructure for the development of similar courses at other institutions.
AB - A firm grasp of evolution is invaluable for understanding our own species in addition to the rest of the biological world; however, not only does much of the American public reject evolution, but many thinkers within the scientific community resist its application to their own disciplines. In an attempt to overcome these challenges through education, the Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) program at Binghamton University (B.U.) strives to present evolution as a theory relevant to all human-related subjects. Here, we present the cornerstone of this program, "Evolution for Everyone," an introductory-level, general education course with an academically diverse student population. The curriculum delves into Darwin's theory and uses it to illustrate not only classical biology but how the same ideas pertain to the full range of human-related disciplines. This material is framed in terms of scientific inquiry, including direct participation in research. An evaluation of the course has demonstrated that it increases both understanding and acceptance of evolution and its relevance to human-related academic disciplines and everyday life. The EvoS program has received National Science Foundation funding to expand into a nationwide consortium, providing a strong infrastructure for the development of similar courses at other institutions.
KW - Attitudes toward evolution
KW - Culture of evolution
KW - Evolution education
KW - Interdisciplinary approaches
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84921973579&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12052-009-0161-0
DO - 10.1007/s12052-009-0161-0
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84921973579
VL - 2
SP - 445
EP - 457
JO - Evolution: Education and Outreach
JF - Evolution: Education and Outreach
SN - 1936-6426
IS - 3
ER -