Last Update 4/28/09

• GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WEBSITE ANALYSIS: In doing this critique, keep in mind the following points:

• What can you learn about the person or group that put the site together? Are the names of the writers or creators indicated and do they solicit feedback? Are you able to tell if it is a reputable person or mainstream organization?
• Who is the site directed to? Is it trying to convert you to an idea? Do you think it has a commercial interest (trying to get money from you)?
•What do you find the most useful aspect of the site? How user-friendly is it?
• From your perspective, do you find any bias, misleading or erroneous information on the site? Do you find information that contradicts or confirms what you have learned in class? If so, what is the response of the site webmasters if you are able to send your comments or criticism?

• GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN WEBSERVATION

Purpose: To critically examine how you are influenced by presentation of material about the creation and evolution controversy on the internet. You should first look at the general guidelines for website analysis (above) and then examine the websites listed in the options below for the ways in which the content of the website and its format influence your reception of the message on the site.

In order to fulfill the criteria for this assignment, I suggest the following:

• Do not just list content or descriptive information presented on the site. This is neither a term paper nor a summary of the contents. Be as clear and concise as you can; the idea is to develop your points and not to list descriptive information fot its own sake.
• Find something specific on the site that relates to the course material or discussion. Discuss what you find and relate it directly to examples from the course. Use examples from the pool of websites as relevant.
• Discuss in detail how you are influenced by the site in terms of who put it out, who it is directed to, its user-friendliness and any perceived bias. For this you need to determine the source of the webpage assigned and try to figure out the starting assumptions and “biases” of those putting out the site.
• You should act like an anthropologist approaching a “foreign” culture to understand it rather than to judge it.
• This is a brief essay (like an op-ed piece) arguing a point. You do not need to reference the websites I assigned, but do indicate any new websites you choose to add. You should only quote material if you are directly commenting on it. Do not quote any descriptive information; make an argument.

GRADING OF WEBSERVATION: (16 points). The major criteria I will use to grade the webservation are listed below. Each criterion is worth 2 points: 1 if your work is adequate and 2 if it is impressive.

a. demonstration that the information presented is understood
b. use of relevant and appropriate examples from the course
c. recognizes key issues involved
d. pays attention to use of rhetoric
e. effective critique of website style and format
f. effective critique of website content
g. clarity and coherent explanation of points made
h. level of effort (including length)

• Length: 5-7 pages or 1250-1750 words

• Due Date: You may hand in a draft or outline at any time (within reason) for comments without a grade. All students are strongly encourage to discuss the webservation and show me a draft for help. You may hand in your final draft on the last day of class, or no later than May 8 between 1:30-3:30 pm in 200E Davison.

 

 

 

Webservation Options

INSTRUCTIONS: Do both parts 1 and 2, as described.

1. Based on the course readings that discuss the controversy between those who argue for a literal interpretation of the Adam and Eve story and other readings in this course, analyze the following websites for the following: (1) the basic assumptions or presuppositions of the authors/creators of the website (i.e., the questions they will not ask); (2) statements that appear to be logically inconsistent or not in harmony with known scientific findings; (3) rhetoric that indicates the religious position of the authors/creators. Pick examples from at least three of the websites in making your argument.

 

• http://www.allaboutcreation.org/original-sin.htm

• http://www.dinosaursinthebible.com/

• http://www.c-r-t.co.uk/original_view.htm

• http://www.bible-codes.org/same_sex-Eden-bible-prophecy-code.htm

• http://www.satansrapture.com/satanseed.htm

 

 

 

• http://www.rationalresponders.com/adam_and_eve_and_lilith

• http://www.bible.ca/tracks/tracks.htm

2. Pick one of the following two options (A or B) below and explain how the entire group of sites listed influences your views

• The ‘Nebraska man’ game (Pass the Pigs!) http://www.creationtips.com/nebraskapig.html

• The Mating Game http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/sex/mating/

• Flying Spaghetti Monster - The Game http://www.venganza.org/worship/fsm-game/

• Darwin the Monkey http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/1758/darwin-the-monkey/index.html (play free for one hour)

• Pick Up Adam and Eve http://www.flash-game.net/game/2569/adam-and-eve.html 9in German -- note "spielen" is "play"

• Spore (available in multiple formats, like Sim City, but costs money) http://www.spore.com/

OPTIONAL:

• Adam and Eve Online http://www.funny-games.biz/adam-eve-online.html (Note: this is an adult game. It takes a minute to load. Do not go here if you find it offensive.)

Option B: The following are a range of online videos in some way dealing with Adam and Eve or evolution. Look over the videos and pick four or five to watch for this assignment. It would be best if you pick videos with opposing messages. The point is to look at the visuals, the premise of the video and relate to the course material. What do you think is the motive behind creating the video?

• Adam and Eve (SIM) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WRz6AEiX7k

• Adam and Eve (cartoon) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVtS05uAtSI&feature=related

• Adam Talks to God about Eve (cartoon) http://revver.com/video/244466/adam-talks-to-god-about-eve/

• Lilith,Adam&Eve(Jean Michel Jarre-Aero) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuyisRT4uQ4&feature=PlayList&p=5138BF8E88EAA95B&playnext=1&index=97

• Hovind Debate v. Callahan (theistic evolution): Human Races http://revver.com/video/1209613/hovind-debate-v-callahan-theistic-evolution-human-races/

• Evolution Wants To Make a Monkey Out of You part 1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ajMxhpqkA

• The Woman II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQGthpuFU08

• I Have A Problem With Creationism (Part 3) http://revver.com/video/1034481/i-have-a-problem-with-creationism-part-3/

• Top 10 List Why Anti-Evolutionists are WRONG http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDFJviGQth4&feature=PlayList&p=F626DD5B2C1F0A87&playnext=1&index=3

• BANNED Adam and Eve video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKAW96N-Vms

OPTIONAL VIDEO:

• Adam and Eve Online Store Video (Note: this is an adult toy store promoand you may find the video offensive; there is no nudity) http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/videos/14822/AEE-Adam-and-Eve-.html