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And Now What, Ms. Ranger?

The Search for the Intelligent Designer

By Clyde Freeman Herreid

And Now What, Ms. Ranger?


 

Abstract

Intelligent Design continues to be a hot political and educational topic in some parts of the country. This discussion case study uses the dramatic setting of a public school board as it considers whether district science teachers should be made to read a statement to their classes identifying Intelligent Design as a competing theory to evolution that is worthy of scientific consideration. The relevant statement is in fact the one that was at the center of the 2004 controversy in Dover, Pennsylvania. This case would be appropriate in general biology or advanced courses where the focus is on evolution.

   

Date Posted

02/22/2008

Overview

Objectives

  • To learn the basic arguments made for and against the teaching of Intelligent Design.
  • To better understand how social and political forces may get involved in scientific matters.
  • To learn how to evaluate arguments and marshal evidence for or against a position.
  • To learn how to civilly discuss a controversial topic looking at both sides of the question.

Keywords

Intelligent design; Dover decision; creationism; evolution; anthropic principle; irreducible complexity; science curriculum

  

Subject Headings

Biology (General)
Evolutionary Biology
Science (General)
Science Education
Teacher Education

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, General public & informal education, Faculty development

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Pseudoscience, Policy issues, Scientific argumentation, Social issues

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Dilemma/Decision, Discussion, Public Hearing

 

 

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