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Paul Godden

An analysis of the arguments for intelligent design creationism to be taught as part of the science curriculum in the public education system of the United States. Paul Godden. Creationism is…. Also called creation science , intelligent design (ID), and evidence against evolution

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Paul Godden

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  1. An analysis of the arguments for intelligent design creationism to be taught as part of the science curriculum in the public education system of the United States. Paul Godden

  2. Creationism is… • Also called creation science, intelligent design (ID), and evidence against evolution • A religious doctrine, holding that life and the universe were created by a supernatural actor out of nothing(Superfine, 2009) • Not science(Bowman, 2007; Coyne, 2009; Dawkins, 2005, 2006, 2009; Futuyma, 2005; Kitcher 1984)

  3. Evolution is… • A change in the genetic properties of groups of organisms over the course of generations(Futuyma, 2005, p. 2) • Science, based on more than 150 years of replicable and falsifiable observation, experiment and predicted outcome (Avise, 2000; Coyne, 2009; Dawkins, 2009; Futuyma, 2005; Gould, 2002; Lenski & Travisano, 1994) From: Hutchins, M. (Ed.) (2011). The increase in hominin cranial capacity through various species over time. Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia: Evolution, p. 304. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, Cengage Learning.

  4. Creationism is taught… • In many U.S. public school science classes, under the guise of Intelligent Design(Behe, 2006; Berkman & Plutzer, 2011; Bowman, 2007; Davis & Kenyon, 1993; Moore, 2000, 2004; Sapin, 1996) • And attempts are continually made, to make teaching creationist doctrine a legal proposition in U.S. science classes (NCSE, 2013)

  5. Even though… • it’s illegal to teach creationist doctrine in U.S. public school science classes(Epperson v. Arkansas, 1968; Edwards v. Aguillard, 1987; Freiler v. Tangipahoa, 2000; Kitzmiller v. Dover, 2005; McLean v. Arkansas, 1982) • it contravenes the U.S. Constitution—Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…(U.S. Constitution, 1791) • it’s not science(Bowman, 2007; Coyne, 2009; Dawkins, 2005, 2006, 2009; Futuyma, 2005; Kitcher 1984)

  6. Why? Research Questions… • What arguments have been put forward by advocates of creationism, to make the case for creationist ideology in the American science curriculum? • What impact have the arguments of proponents of intelligent design creationism had, on American public education policy and the law?

  7. To answer these questions… • Document Analysisof publically availablelegal testimony and judicial opinion… • Testimony from expert witnesses under cross-examination—directly addresses research question 1. • Analysis of precedent setting cases, Judicial opinion and analysis of public debate—address research question 2.

  8. What does this study contribute? Very little work has analysed this discourse and weighed the arguments presented, evaluating strengths and weaknesses in terms of education (Bowman, 2007; Burtt, 2008; Thomasson, 2011). I want to fill that gap, to provide a summative analysis of the arguments presented for intelligent design creationism (ID), and a baseline to compare to future debate, so that—as educators—we can sort the wheat from the chaff and identify potential strategies for alleviating this on-going and costly dispute.

  9. Thanks for listening… • Electronic copies of the most recent draft of my research proposal, thesis, this presentation and all resources used are available at… • http://www.pauldgodden.com/queens.html • Please contact me at… • paul.godden@queensu.ca • Should you require any further information.

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