HUHC 020 Spring 2009 Debating Darwin: A Social History of the Creation vs. Evolution Controversy CLASS DISCUSSION COORDINATION Daniel.M.Varisco@hofstra.edu

Last Update 2/8/09

CLASS DISCUSSION COORDINATION:This is a seminar, which requires class participation by all. Each student will be in charge of leading a 15-minute or more discussion in class on an assigned reading from the RAG. A sign-up sheet will be handed out the first day of class.
The following elements must be included in the coordination of class discussion:

• Short (ca. 5 minute) summary of main points of assigned reading
• a one-page outline should be prepared to distribute to the class [If you send this to me the day before class, I will make copies for the class. You need to make 22 copies.]
• Develop and lead discussion on 2-3 quotes (passages) or major points from the reading (Note: the professor may build on this for further discussion)
• If you wish to use a short video or youtube excerpt, this should be in addition to the 15 minutes discussion.

You are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss your plans (or ask for help) with the professor before your presentation. The coordination is worth 9 points, according to the following critera:

a. Demonstrates understanding of the main issues in the reading (weak, adequate, impressive) 3 points
b. Effective written outline of reading (weak, adequate, impressive) 3 points
c. Relevant questions/Issues raised, including relevance to contemporary society or methods of interpretation (weak, adequate, impressive) 3 points

 

2/10 Jewish Postbiblical Interpretation [CARA AARON]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:41-47, 50-54, 57-100)

2/12 Medieval Jewish Interpretation [REBEKAH RUPP]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:161-169, 203-225)

2/17 Early and Medieval Christian Interpretation [FAWAD SHAH]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:108-155, 169-172, 225-235)

2/19 “Medieval” Muslim Interpretation [SUSAN RODRIGUEZ]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:156-161, 178-203)

2/24 Hammering Eve’s Daughters [CHRISTA ABATEMARCO]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:241-248) and “Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Woman To Live”  (http://www.shanmonster.com/witch/misogyny.html)

2/26 Protestant Reformation Interpretation [AMANDA ORTEGA]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:249-304) and de Haan (1966:15-27) on Blackboard.

3/3 The Road to Darwin [MIRANDA SULLEY]
READ: Gardner (2000:7-14) “Did Adam and Eve Have Navels?” on Blackboard and Robbins “The History and Implications of a Cultural Confrontation” in Robbins/Cohen, 1-19

3/5 Darwin on Evolution [JILL OLESCHUK
READ: Darwin (1958:11-85) and Mayr “Darwin’s Influence on Modern thought” in Robbins/Cohen, 130-136

3/10 Darwin on Man and God [MONIKA GOLDSTEIN]
Darwin (1871:385-396) The Descent of Man, chapter 21, “General Summary and Conclusion” (choose p. 385 on webpage and start reading) and Darwin (1958:85-145).

3/12 The Bishop and Darwin’s Bulldog: Who Won the Great Debate? [BRIAN SHOICKET]
READ: Caudill (1997:1-45)

3/17 Playing with Darwin [TIEL REARDON]
READ: Bowden “Did Darwin Become a Christian” (http://www.carm.org/evo_questions/deathbed.htm) and Caudill (1997:46-60).

3/24 Teaching Evolution, Teaching Creationism [AMANDA PALMER]
READ: Gould “Creationism: A Distinctly American Violation of NOMA” in Robbins/Cohen, 42-52, Larson “The Battle between Creation and Evolution…” in Robbins/Cohen, 155-165, Perras “Turmoil” in Robbins/Cohen, 176-184.

3/26 The Evolution of Scientific Creationism [MICHAEL DENNIS]
READ: H. Morris (1980) handout, J. Morris (2002) on Blackboard, and Varisco (1982)

3/31 Intelligent Design Deja VU [MARC CECERE]
READ: Johnson “The Intelligent Design Controversy Summarized” in Robbins/Cohen, 81-83; Marks “Intelligent Design…” in Robbins/Cohen, 87-99.

4/2 Creationism Today ASHLEY LEARNED
READ: “Big Daddy” tract handout (also online at http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0055/0055_01.asp), Branch “Creationism as a Global Phenomenon” in Robbins/Cohen, 137-151, Hewlett and Peters “The Science of Evolution and the theology of Creation” in Robbins/Cohen, 67-81.

4/14 Social Darwinism [ANNA RAWLINS]
READ: Caudill (1997:61-78, 96-143)

4/16 Slavery and Racism [COLLIN KORNFEIND]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:305-315, 323-339, 496-502); Ariel (1867:3-10,19-26, 45-48) on Blackboard

4/21 Feminist Interpretation [ROXANNE DAVOODZADEH]
READ: Kvam et al. (1999:346-356, 364-367, 421-443, 464-476)

4/23"Genesis as Myth": An Anthropological Reading FRANCIS VAN KEUREN]
READ: Leach (1969:7-23) on Blackboard

4/30 Satire: Mark Twain on Adam & Eve [JOHN KENNEALLY]
READ: Twain (1962: 3-22, 75-92) on Blackboard