136-329 Darwinism (Science 3)

Formerly available as 136-102/029. Students who have completed 136-102 or 136-029 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students cannot gain credit for both this subject and 136-102 before 1999 or 136-029 after 1998. Only available at science third year; for other levels, see 136-029 Darwinism. This subject is based on 136-029 but involves additional work.

Usually two second year HPS subjects.

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 5000 words and an in-class test of 1000 words.

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