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From: bill@ut-emx.uucp (Bill Jefferys)
Newsgroups: talk.origins,sci.bio
Subject: NSF Chautauqua Short Course for College Teachers
Message-ID: <40330@ut-emx.uucp>
Date: 28 Nov 90 22:31:57 GMT
Followup-To: talk.origins
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin; Austin, Texas
Lines: 85

The following is a TeX-formatted announcement,
posted as a public service.
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1990-91 Chautauqua Faculty Development Program
Short Courses for College Teachers

Course: 53 \qquad Fee: \$175

{\bf Creation, Evolution, or Both? A Multiple Model Approach}

CRAIG E. NELSON, Department of Biology, and School of Public and 
Environmental Affairs, Indiana University

{\bf Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 1991 in Austin TX \qquad Apply: TXA}

	Recent legislative, courtroom, and textbook adoption battles 
focusing on creationism and evolution have made this a very 
exciting area for students and teachers. However, the discussion 
has ranged over a much broader set of topics, both scientific and 
philosophical, than most faculty have been fully comfortable with 
in the classroom. This session is designed to provide faculty with 
updated content across the entire scope of the controversy and 
with powerful options for dealing with controversial issues in the 
classroom.

	An overview of the central arguments of the "scientific 
creationists" will be presented, in part by selected readings from 
Morris' {\bf The Scientific Case for Creationism.} This will be 
followed by a summary of the current state of science in areas 
central to the controversy. These will include: the relevance of 
the second law of thermodynamics, dating methods, the overall 
sequence in the fossil record, transitional forms, molecular 
aspects, and the processes of macroevolutionary change. In 
considering these topics, participants will work directly with a 
variety of resources for the students. These will include 
Kitcher's {\bf Abusing Science,} selected essays by Stephen Jay 
Gould, and articles from {\bf Creation/Evolution.} An overview 
will be given of some recent developments in evolutionary theory, 
including punctuated equilibria, cladistics, and vicariance 
biogeography. Additional considerations will include the 
scientific status and falsifiability of evolution (and 
gravitation), the purported circularity of natural selection, and 
arguments from academic fairness. A major focus will be the nature 
of science, decision theory and modes of critical thinking as 
essential perspectives for understanding controversial issues. We 
will also discuss a variety of theological perspectives which 
combine science and a belief in a Creator and examine some tactics 
for addressing this level in the classroom without slipping into 
indoctrination.

	Both the overall sequence and the relative emphases will be 
adjusted in accord with the interests of the participants. A major 
emphasis will be on developing selected topics in ways which allow 
the participants to utilize them directly in their own teaching.

{\bf For college teachers of:} all disciplines. {\bf 
Prerequisites:} none.

{\it
{\bf Dr. Nelson} is an evolutionary ecologist who has won major 
awards for his teaching of the [sic] evolution and has 
participated in several debates with scientific creationists. He 
has been an invited participant at major sessions on evolution and 
belief, including those at meetings of the American Association 
for the Advancement of Science and the National Association of 
Biology Teachers. He is a member of the teacher training task 
force of the National Center for Science Education and wrote 
``Creation, Evolution, or Both? A Multiple Model Approach,'' 
published by the American Association for the Advancement of 
Science in {\bf Science and Creation,} R. W. Hanson, (ed.) in 
1986. Dr. Nelson is also associated with the National Center for 
Science Education.
}

For more information contact Dr. James P. Barufauldi, Science 
Education Center, EDB 340, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 
TX 78712.

Telephone: (512)471-7354 \qquad FAX number: (512)471-4607

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