Introduction to Module 1

 Introduction

Woodcut picture of Charles Darwin
For more than 20 years, Charles Darwin kept his revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection secret while he continued gathering evidence.

When he finally published his results, nothing sparked more rage than his view of humankind.
Click on Darwin's critic below to hear an example of a critical response to Darwin's story.

Woodcut picture of a critic of Charles Darwin

But Darwin also had many supporters. One of the first scientists to accept Darwin's theory, Thomas Huxley, became his most passionate supporter after reading Darwin's Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
Click on Thomas Huxley below to hear an example of a supportive response to Darwin's story.

Woodcut picture of Thomas Huxley

Why is there such controversy over this theory? Or are the numbers of critics larger than represented by the media?

 Learning Objectives

4. The student will explain the conceptual basis of evolutionary theory by:

  • a. applying the principles of evolutionary theory to the understanding of changes in abundance and kinds of life with time.
  • b. describing different mechanisms of evolution such as natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow.
  • c. describing the importance of mutation in producing variation.
  • d. explaining the evidence of evolutionary change.

 Essential Questions

  • How does the process of evolution occur?
  • What is the evidence for evolution?
  • How do the processes of genetics influence evolution?
  • What are the contributions of different researchers to evolutionary theory?

 Next Step

Once you've read this page and carefully considered the Essential Questions for this module, continue to the next Topic in this module.

  • Draycott, Keith (Photographer). untitled[photograph], FlickrVision / Getty Images. Retrieved from Foundations of Macroeconomics, 7th ed.(pg. 31), by Robin Bade & Michael Parkin, 2015, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  • Kali9 (Photographer). untitled[photograph], Getty Images. Retrieved from Foundations of Macroeconomics, 7th ed.(pg. 1), by Robin Bade & Michael Parkin, 2015, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  • McCain, Derrell (Photographer). untitled[photograph], Alamy. Retrieved from Foundations of Macroeconomics, 7th ed.(pg. 57), by Robin Bade & Michael Parkin, 2015, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
  • Moloshok, Danny (Photographer). untitled[photograph], Reuters. Retrieved from Foundations of Macroeconomics, 7th ed.(pg. 81), by Robin Bade & Michael Parkin, 2015, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.