Controversial issues in studying evolutionary teachings: socio-pedagogical and methodological aspects

1. Entity type Lemma
2. Original titleСпорни въпроси при изучаване на еволюционните учения : Социално-педагогически и методически аспекти
3. Language term Bulgarian
4. lemma author Nachev, Ivaylo
5. lemma category Scientific theories and disciplines > Biology:evolution - Education, Science and Orthodoxy
6. Publication date 19-7-2017
7. lemma work Вучкова, Красимира [Author]. Controversial issues in studying evolutionary teachings: socio-pedagogical and methodological aspects
8. lemma manifestations Спорни въпроси при изучаване на еволюционните учения : Социално-педагогически и методически аспекти - Stara Zagora: Trakiiski Universitet, 2003.
9. Keywords Evolution - Creationism - Darwinism
10. Lemma body

    1. The book made a parallel examination of main aspects of evolutionist and creationist ideas and their implementation in the school curriculum. The authors pointed their work was motivated by "the invasion of creationist literature in Bulgarian language that interprets main aspects of evolutionist theories".

       The book is aimed at helping biology teachers and students (in high schools) for discussion on the contested issues in the field. The point of departure is that the theory of evolution is generally supported by the scientific consensus as a phenomenon that gives an explanation to the diversity of species. At the same time it is often presented in a robust and conservative form, not discussing evidence that does not support some of its elements which in turn has counter effects. The authors argue that another view, the creationist explanation, one that is poorly known in Bulgaria, deserves also to be taken into consideration. The authors argue that the work is not aiming at opposing the two views (even less at finding a solution of the disputes) but rather at providing themes for reflection. The proposed bibliography comprises of works of both evolutionist and creationist position. However, the manner of selecting material and formulating the subjects of discussion presents in a clearly more positive light the evolutionist view.    

       The structure of all chapters is centered on the discussion of certain concepts and ideas, and subsequently are proposed methodological approaches for their study, including topics for discussions.

       The first chapter gives a concise overview of the historical course of the discussions around Darwin’s evolutionist theory from the late 19th century until the present day, including critical positions from the genetics scientists and also the modern synthesis of the early 20th century and the 1940s evolutionary developmental biology. Chapters Two examines debates about the teaching at schools of evolutionism, focusing on pro and anti evolutionists views in United States since the 1920s, and describes the development of the anti-evolutionist movement. The third chapter summarizes main concepts and disputes between evolutionists and creationists looking at several currents and authors of each group, noting that contemporary creationist claim their theories are based on scientific principles. The current spread of creationist literature is attributed to "various sects" which should be distinguished from the "official religious literature". The paleontologist evidence for the evolutionist is the subject of the following part. The so called transitional fossil is examined between falsification and scientific facts. The fifth chapter examines the disputes about the Human origins. Chapter Six looked at the course of the evolutionary process - gradual or going through uneven stages, while the last chapter discussed prospects of the evolutionist and creationist view.