Creationism versus Evolution Research Paper

BACKGROUND

Fundamentalist religious movements have attempted to introduce the teaching of the biblical explanation of the origin of life into the schools. Known as scientific creationists, they wish to place religious views on an equal footing with the scientific fact of evolution. Controversy over this issue has resulted in litigation involving the Supreme Court.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

231.765

347.30477–347.30495

575–575.016

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Creationism

Creationism—Controversial literature

Creationism—Study and teaching

Creationism—Study and teaching—Law and legislation

Creation

Evolution and religion

Bible and evolution

Evolution (Biology)—Religious aspects

Science and law

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Bergman, Jeffrey. The Creation Evolution Controversy: A Bibliographic Guide from 1839 to the Present, 1995.

Ecker, Ronald L. Dictionary of Science and Creationism, 1990. Facts on File

Hall, Kermit L., ed. The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States, 1992.

General encyclopedias

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac
NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

Dialog

Internet

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Evolution

Creation

Creationism

Curriculum Programs, Elementary and Secondary—Creation vs. evolution

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Natural Connections. New Dimensions Media, 1988.

Origin of Species: Beyond Genesis. Discovery Communications, 1993.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Creation Research Society, P.O. Box 28473, Kansas City, MO 64118.

National Center for Science Education, 2530 San Pablo Ave., No. D., Berkeley, CA 94702–2013.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Discuss evangelical theology and evolutionary thought.

Investigate how science textbooks deal with the topics of creation and evolution.

Report on a specific case in which creationists challenged evolution in the curriculum; e.g., Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1981.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Charles Darwin

Creation myths

Scientific theories of creation

Scopes trial

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.