About this course: How are all of the species living on Earth today related? How does understanding evolutionary science contribute to our well-being? In this course, participants will learn about evolutionary relationships, population genetics, and natural and artificial selection. Participants will explore evolutionary science and learn how to integrate it into their classrooms.
Created by: American Museum of Natural History
Taught by: Joel Cracraft, Ph.D., Chair and Lamont Curator
Division of Vertebrate Zoology
Taught by: David Randle, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Professional Development
Education Department
| Commitment | 5-8 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Romanian |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Introduction
1 video, 3 readings
- Video: Introduction to the Course
- Reading: Course Overview
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Resources
Introduction and Darwin's First Great Idea - The Tree of Life
The first module of the course introduces Charles Darwin’s revolutionary concept of a “tree of life” depicting the evolution of all life from a common ancestor; how evolutionary trees depict relationships among organisms; and how new species are formed. You will explore resources for discovering and addressing student misconceptions about evolution.
4 videos, 3 readings, 1 practice quiz
- Video: Evolution: What It Is and Why It’s Important
- Reading: Charles Darwin's Evidence for Evolution
- Video: Species, Speciation, and the Tree of Life: Part 1
- Video: Species, Speciation, and the Tree of Life: Part 2
- Reading: Thinking About Evolution: A Systematist's Perspective
- Reading: Building the Tree of Life
- Video: Teaching Evolutionary Science
- Practice Quiz: Phylogenetic Trees Practice Quiz
Graded: Module Two Quiz
WEEK 2
Darwin's Second Great Idea - Adaptation via Natural Selection
You will learn about Darwin’s second breakthrough: that adaptation via natural selection is the basic mechanism of evolution. You’ll go behind the scenes with Dr. Cracraft to see how evolutionary biologists use the Museum’s collections. Lastly, you’ll choose a topic from the course and explain how to use it as empirical evidence that supports common ancestry and biological evolution.
7 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection
- Video: Co-Evolution: Part 1
- Video: Co-Evolution: Part 2
- Reading: Basic Processes of Evolution
- Video: A Visit to the Ornithology Collections
- Video: Teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards
- Video: Building Phylogenetic Trees
- Video: Peer-Graded Assignment: Evidence for Evolution
Graded: Module Three Quiz
Graded: Peer-Reviewed Assignment
WEEK 3
The History of Life
You will learn about the role of extinction in evolution, and find out what the relatedness of major groups of living things reveals about the history of life. You’ll also watch videos of scientists at work and learn how to use them in your classroom.
4 videos, 2 readings
- Video: The History of LIfe
- Reading: The History of Life on Earth
- Video: Extinction and Evolution
- Reading: What Does Evo-Devo Tell Us About Evolution?
- Video: Science Bulletins: Evolution in Action
- Video: Using Science Stories to Teach Evolution
Graded: Module Four Quiz
WEEK 4
Human Evolution
This module explores the rich variety of hominids on the tree of life, along with how and when different human species - including Homo sapiens - migrated around the world. You’ll also learn strategies for teaching evolution in culturally diverse classrooms.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Video: Human Evolution
- Video: H. neanderthalensis, H. sapiens and the Peopling of the World
- Reading: From Apes to Humans
- Reading: Human Evolution and the Emergence of Our Species
- Reading: How Evolution Saves Lives and Promotes Prosperity
- Video: Science Bulletins: Expedition Rusinga
- Video: Teaching Evolution
Graded: Module Five Quiz
Course Conclusion
1 video, 3 readings
- Video: Course Conclusion
- Reading: Resources
- Reading: Opportunities for Educators
- Reading: Support AMNH
FAQs
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Coursework
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Creators
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.
Ratings and Reviews
Excellent course so many resources to help in teaching this topic
I enjoyed this course and I enjoyed the writing component of the course.
Excellent! A great primer on the importance of evolution and how to teach this theory to others. Great links and resources!
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It is a very interesting course and is presented by great teachers. Would definitely recommend to any one interested in evolution.