Evolution Education in the American South Culture, Politics, and Resources in and around Alabama

About this book

Evolution Education in the American South reaches beyond the controversy surrounding the teaching and learning of evolution in the United States, specifically in regard to the culture, politics, and beliefs found in the Southeast. The editors argue that despite a deep history of conflict in the region surrounding evolution, there is a wealth of evolution research taking place – from biodiversity in species to cultural evolution and human development. In fact, scientists, educators, and researchers from around the United States have found their niche in the South, where biodiversity is high, culture runs deep, and the pace is just a little bit slower.

Contents

Foreword

Part I: History of Attitudes toward Evolution in the South
1. Darwinism in the American South
2. Race and Evolution in Antebellum Alabama: The Polygenist Prehistory We'd Rather Ignore
3. "The Cadillac of Disclaimers": Twenty Years of Official Antievolution in Alabama
4. Deconstructing the Alabama Disclaimer with Students: A Powerful Lesson in Evolution, Politics, and Persuasion

Part II: Culture and Education in the American South
5. Evolution Acceptance among Preservice Science Teachers in the South
6. Evolution Acceptance among Undergraduates in the South
7. Religion, Politics, and Science for U.S. Southerners
8. Sharing News and Views about Evolution in Social Media

Part III: Perspectives and Resources from the Natural Sciences
9. Resources for Teaching Biological Evolution in the Deep South
10. Teaching Louisiana Students about Evolution by Comparing the Anatomy of Fishes and Humans
11. Teaching Evolution in Real Time
12. Trace Fossils of Alabama: Life in the Coal Age

Part IV: Perspectives and Resources from the Social Sciences
13. What Can the Alabama Mississippians Teach Us about Human Evolution and Behavior?
14. Tattooing Commitment, Quality, and Football in Southeastern North America

Appendix: Additional Resources for Biological Evolution Education in Alabama Afterward

Customer Reviews

Biography

Christopher D. Lynn, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of Evolutionary Studies at The University of Alabama, USA. He studies the diversity and evolution of non-conscious cognitive behaviors that underlie cooperation, ritual, and recreation.

Amanda L. Glaze, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning at Georgia Southern University, USA. She studies the intersections of science and society, especially the acceptance and rejection of evolution in the Southeastern United States.

William A. Evans, Ph.D., is Professor of Journalism and Creative Media at The University of Alabama, USA. His research focuses on science communication and evolutionary perspectives in media.

Laura K. Reed, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama, USA, with expertise in evolutionary genomics.