University of Dayton Chautauqua Course
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Chautauqua Course
DAY-9
Evolution Education: A Delicate
Balance Between Science, Controversy and Pedagogy
GREGORY A. FORBES, Evolution Education Institute
May 29-31, 2008 in Dayton, OH --- Apply to the Dayton Center --- To apply for this course now - click here
Despite a long history of
debate, legal battles and court decisions supporting the teaching of
evolutionary science, there remains strong social pressure to replace the
instruction of evolution with nonscientific ideologies. As a result,
many teachers and professors are hesitant or afraid to teach evolution and
therefore many students are never exposed to the topic of evolution. As these students will be the teachers of
tomorrow, the problem is passed on to the next generation. Without a significant change in the way
schools and teachers deal with the issue of scientific evolution, there may be
little chance that this situation will be resolved.
This course will introduce
educators to the socio-political factors that account for the continuation of
this debate as well as to provide an overview of contemporary evolutionary
theory and approaches to teaching this very important body of science.
Workshop sessions include: 1)
Dogma, Doctrine & Discovery; Darwin’s
Life of Discovery 2) Why Teach Evolution? - An assessment of the value of
evolution in a comprehensive science education 3) Evolution; What's All
the Fuss After 3˝ Billion Years? - An examination of the socio-political basis
of the debate 4) Evolution Primer - An
overview of the unifying themes and concepts of evolutionary theory 5)
Evidence of Evolution- A review of the empirical evidence of past and
contemporary evolution 6) Responses to Anti-Evolutionist's Claims - A
review of scientific and philosophical responses to statements and questions
regarding the validity of evolution and the “fairness” of teaching
evolution 7) Intelligent Design;
Grasping for Scientific Straws 8)
Educator's Resources for Teaching Evolution - A hands-on examination of
resources, materials and strategies for teaching evolution.
Upon completion of this course,
participants will have a strong understanding of the background of this
continuing debate as well as a working knowledge of the foundations of
contemporary evolutionary theory along with the ability to respond to questions
from students, campus administration and the community regarding evolution
theory and the necessity of its inclusion in a comprehensive science education.
Pedagogical techniques introduced will allow workshop participants to
weave evolutionary theory as a thread throughout their science courses. The relative emphasis of each of these
topics within the course may be adjusted to best suit the interests of the
participants.
For college teachers of: all
disciplines. Prerequisites:
none.
Costs for 2008
Application fee: $100
[$50 if received by February 29, 2008]
Course fee: $395 [Due in March
2008]
Optional on-site
lodging: $48 per person per night
in a double, $64 single
Dr.
Forbes is the former Education
Director and co-founder of the Michigan Scientific Evolution Education
Initiative, a federally-funded initiative to provide science educators with the
content, pedagogy and support system to effectively teach scientific evolution.
He is also the Executive Director of the Evolution Education Institute
which takes the Michigan
model to a national audience. He serves
as the Evolution Education Specialist to the Michigan
Science Teachers Association and is a co-founder and Board member of the Michigan Citizens for
Science. He is former Director of the Science
Education Center
at Grand Rapids Community College where he teaches
courses in zoology and human anatomy and physiology. Dr. Forbes also
serves on the Editorial Board of Skeptic Magazine and has been a keynote and
featured speaker on evolution and evolution pedagogy at many dozens of
scientific, educational, in-service and religious conferences and meetings. He
is an evolutionary zooecologist with interests in the evolution of feeding
ecology of vertebrates with an emphasis upon the feeding ecology of sea turtles
in tropical reef systems. In 2004 Dr. Forbes was named the Michigan
College & University Science Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science
Teachers Association and in 2005 he was selected as the Michigan Civil
Libertarian of the Year for his legislative work in protecting science education and in 2006 Dr.
Forbes was awarded the Freethought Association’s highest award for his
legislative and academic efforts to protect the integrity of evolution
education.
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University of Dayton Chautauqua Course