HIST 380-052: Science, Religion and Evolution: Controversies in Historical Context.
Tuesdays 6:25-9:00 PM
Instructor: Adam Shapiro (adams@uchicago.edu) Office Hours: Tuesday 4-6
SH 231
The very word “evolution” ignites philosophical, religious, political, ethical,
scientific and social debate. In Darwin’s best-known work, On the Origin of Species, he
refers not to a theory of evolution, but of natural selection. Nonetheless the word (and
Darwin’s name) have come to symbolize debates that range far beyond the facts and
theories contained in the book.
This course examines the history of the people and groups who expressed
opposition to evolution, and their philosophical and social influences. This will look
significantly, though not exclusively, at religious rejections of evolution, including
varieties of creationism and intelligent design.
Controversies over evolution occur within the larger question of the relationship
between science and religion. Some have advocated an essential conflict between
science and religion; others have attempted to construct dialogue between or to reconcile
the two. Questions over evolution must frequently address the questions: What is
science? What is religion?
The course is less interested in whether the claims made by any one party are
unassailably true, and more focused on the history of conflict, both real and perceived. It
will examine the social implications of viewing evolution and anti-evolution, or more
broadly science and religion, as inherently antagonistic (or as inherently reconcilable.)
Moreover, it will examine the groups of people that uphold positions within these debates
to situate evolution and anti-evolution within the larger cultural context in which they
occur.
Reading. Both primary and secondary sources are necessary to examine the questions
raised by this course. The following books are required.
Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species [First Edition, available electronically
at: http://pages.britishlibrary.net/charles.darwin/texts/origin1859/origin_fm.html]
Adrian Desmond. The Politics of Evolution. [PoE]
Gary B. Ferngren, ed. Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction [S&R]
Ronald L. Numbers. The Creationists. – [Out of print. Selections will be
available electronically.]
Robert J. Richards. The Meaning of Evolution. [MoE]
Additionally, some readings will be available in handout or electronic reserve, or
online, as designated below. During the course of the class, students will also be
expected to take note of current events related to the subject matter, which will be
discussed in the final week. Readings are listed for the week by which they will be
expected to be discussed, consequently, there is no reading assigned for the first week.
Requirements: Attendance and participation in class discussion are expected and
required (15%). During the course of the semester, 3 papers (each 15%) of length 3
pages will be assigned. A final paper of 10 pages will be assigned in lieu of a final exam.
It is expected that this will make use of materials not already assigned as reading for the
course. A brief prospectus of the final paper will be due by the eight week of the course,
which will consist of a summary and outline of the final paper, and a bibliography of
outside sources expected to be used. The prospectus will not be graded separately, but
will be counted in determination of the grade for the final paper (40%).
Week 1, Jan 17: Introduction and Overview. What is Science? What is Religion? What
is the relationship between the two?
No Reading.
Week 2, Jan 24: What is Evolution? What are the alternatives? How can evolution be
controversial? What were theories of evolution before Darwin?
Readings: MoE, pp. 1-16, S&R, pp 1-30. Origin, Introduction. PoE, pp. 1-25.
Week 3, Jan 31:From Natural Philosophy and Theological Optimism to Natural
Theology.
Readings: S&R, pp. 143-152, 163-176. William Paley, Natural Theology
Chapters 1-6, 23. online at: http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/p/pd-modeng/pd-modengidx?type=HTML&rgn=TEI.2&byte=53049319.
First Paper topics assigned
Week 4, Feb 7: British Politics, Nature, and Theology before Darwin.
Readings: PoE, pp. 373-397. Edmund Burke Reflections on Revolution in
France, online at: http://www.bartleby.com/24/3. Paragraphs 12-32, 36-37, 51-58, 61-63
Paley. Reasons for Contentment Addressed to the Labouring Part of the British Public
(electronic). John Nelson Darby. [selection to be determined]
Week 5, Feb 14: Charles Darwin, man and symbol
Readings: S&R pp. 208-233. Origin, Chapter 4. PoE 398-414.
First Papers Due
Week 6, Feb 21: The Scopes Trial, 1: Antievolution comes to the US.
Readings: Creationists: pp. ix – 53.
Week 7, Feb 28: The Scopes Trial, 2: The trial and its context.
Readings. S&R pp. 261-298. Creationists: pp. 54-101. The World’s Most
Famous Court Case. (Scopes transcript), pp. 284-304 (electronic)
Week 8, Mar 7: Evolution and Eugenics.
Reading. Origin, Chapter 7. Jeffery P. Moran, “Reading Race Into the Scopes
Trial,” online at: http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/90.3/moran.html.
Paper Prospectus Due. Second Papers topics assigned
SPRING BREAK
Week 9, Mar 21: Flood Geology, Literalism, and Young-Earth Creationism.
Readings: Creationists: pp. 118-139, 184-213
Second Papers due.
Week 10, Mar 28: Evolution and the “Culture Wars” 1: Schools as Particular
Battleground.
Readings: Creationists: pp. 214-257, 283-298
Week 11, Apr 4: Evolution and the “Culture Wars” 2: What does Abortion have to do
With Evolution?
Readings: MoE pp. 17-62. S&R pp. 359-373.
Week 12, Apr 11: Current Evolution Controversy in the United States and EnglishSpeaking World.
Readings: “Wedge Document,” memorandum from the Center for the Renewal of
Science and Culture, found online on the website of the Kansas Citizens for Science:
http://www.kcfs.org/Fliers_articles/Wedge.html. “The ‘Wedge Document’: ‘So What?’”
response from the Discovery Institute, found online at:
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/filesDB-download.php?id=349. U.S. District
Court (Northern District of Georgia) ruling in Selman v. Cobb County, (electronic)
Testimony of Michael Behe in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School Board, selections
(electronic)
Verdict, Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School Board, pp. 18-35, 64-82. (electronic.)
Week 13, Apr 18: Evolution controversies in Global Perspective.
Readings: S&R pp. 73-92. Websites of Science Research Foundation: www.srftr.org and Harun Yahya: www.harunyahya.com. Taner Edis, “Islamic Creationism in
Turkey,” online at: http://www2.truman.edu/~edis/writings/articles/islamic.html.
Creationists: pp. 319-340.
Third Paper topics assigned
Week 14, Apr 25: Science and Religion Worldwide. Is the notion of “Science and
Religion” a Western notion?
Readings: S&R pp. 374-388. The Dalai Lama “Our Faith in Science” New York
Times, November 12 2005.
[Some additional selections may be added for this week]
Week 15, May 2: Conclusions. Future outlooks.
Readings to be determined by current events.
Third Papers Due
Final Papers to be handed in by May 13.