Charles Darwin brought finch specimens back to England after his trip to the Galapagos Islands. These played an important role in the creation of Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. (Photo courtesy of Santiago Ron on Flickr. CC-BY-NC)
Instructor(s)
Prof. John Durant
Jeanne Wildman
Michaela Thompson
(Teaching Assistant)
MIT Course Number
STS.009
As Taught In
Spring 2012
Level
Undergraduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This course provides a broad conceptual and historical introduction to scientific theories of evolution and their place in the wider culture. It embraces historical, scientific and anthropological/cultural perspectives grounded in relevant developments in the biological sciences since 1800 that are largely responsible for the development of the modern theory of evolution by natural selection. Students read key texts, analyze key debates (e.g. Darwinian debates in the 19th century, and the creation controversies in the 20th century) and give class presentations.