136-029 Darwinism

Formerly available as 136-102. Students who have completed 136-102 Darwinism are not eligible to enrol in this subject. For science third year, see 136-329 Darwinism (Science 3).

Usually 75 points of first-year study across any discipline areas.

This subject involves an exploration of the work of Charles Darwin and other theories of evolution in the 19th and 20th centuries. The social and scientific background of evolutionary theories in Great Britain, Germany, the United States and Australia will be compared. The relations between biological claims and social theories will be examined, through topics such as social Darwinism, racial science, evolution of sex and gender, behaviourism, evolution of the mind, eugenics, sociobiology, environmentalism, and science and religion. The popular understanding of Darwinism through literature and films will also be explored. This subject should be of interest to any students who wish to learn more about the origins of the life sciences.

Written work totalling 3000 words, and an in-class test of 1000 words.

• A Desmond & J Moore, Darwin. 1992.
• PAppleman, Darwin: Texts, Backgrounds, Contemporary Opinion, Critical Essays. 1979.