Download Class Writing Assignment Paper Format. Five written assignments

Class Writing Assignment
Paper Format. Five written assignments must be turned in on the days indicated on the
schedule. Your paper must be typed, double spaced, stapled, and at least two pages in length.
Place your name in the upper right hand corner. If you use outside sources, cite them in your
paper and on a works cited page in CBE-style documentation format.
Finally, these assignments are designed to assess your knowledge of the subject as well as your
critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. Keep in mind that although these
papers are to be written as opinion papers they will be foremost graded on your knowledge of the
subject matter. Uninformed opinions are not worth much in the world at large or in this class.
Go over the ideas and theories premise by premise. Are there real working examples in nature?
Are there alternative ideas that might apply. And yes, by all means you may use the scriptures in
your discussion, however, papers which center or hinge on the opinions of various church leaders
or others and lack any unique thinking on your part will result in a failing grade. Stay focused on
the topic at hand and use your own critical thinking skills to critique the subject based on its own
particular merits
.
Assignment #1 Genetic engineering.
Scientist, all over the world, are currently mapping and identifying genes in everything from
viruses to humans. Once these genes have been identified and cataloged any one of these genes
can be inserted into a life form and turned on. In fact there are now bacteria using genes from
molds, plants transcribing insect DNA and even bacteria that are transcribing human genes and
making human gene products. It indeed seems that our understanding of biology has catapulted
us to a point which only decades ago seemed reserved solely for Gods to tread.
Entering this new age of biological technology, we find ourselves not only faced with new
scientific questions, but many ethical challenges as well. There is a widespread belief that we may
soon be able to alter and to synthesize genes at will, and even to blueprint our progeny. With
such possibilities at hand many ponder the benefits as well as possible risk of such a powerful tool.
By strengthening and alter gene pools do we loose anything in return? What ethical and moral
considerations should be taken into account if we are to use this technology on humans? Co uld
global regulations be put into place that would make misuses and accidents unlikely? If after all of
these questions have been weighed, we are still left to question whether society could stop such
research even if it wanted to?
Assignment #2 Genetics of Personality
Since the 1940's, researchers have advanced the idea that our genes are responsible for the
structural and functional attributes of our body. Recently, this idea has been expanded with the
realization that not only do our genes dictate how we look but are the strongest factors in
determining the make up of our personalities. The idea that humans can inherit certain behavioral
tendencies arouses skepticism among many people, particularly in the church where it seems to
conflict with egalitarian ideals and conjures up a specter of biological determinism. To many,
the idea that one may be genetically presupposed to homosexual tendencies, or alcoholism or
abrasive ill-temperament poses a fundamental challenge to the conventional teachings of the
gospel. Yet research in behavioral genetics within the past two decades, has shown that genetics
is a far more reliable predictor of personality and behavior than any environmental factors. How
your parents raised you, is not so important as who your parents were and the genes that they
passed on to you.
Your assignment is to explain, in a clear accurate manner, the methodology employed by genetist
to research behavioral genetics. Describe the evidence that supports the hypothesis that genetics is
the major determining factor in how one behaves. Does the evidence support the conclusion and
statements made above? Are there ot her alternative conclusions that can be drawn from the
evidence? What are the implications and consequences of these conclusions?
Assignment #3 Evolution / Natural Selection
For centuries, Europe s best naturalist and philosophers held steadfastly to the scriptural
interpretation of authoritarian church leaders for explanations regarding the mysteries of nature.
By the 15th century however, a new age of enlightenment and scientific investigation was pushing
away the dimness of the Dark Ages and revealing a new age of inquiry. Many of the myths and
traditions held with scripture-like reverence were falling away in the light of scientific
investigation. Under the illumination of Copernicus s mathematical equations, for example, it was
no longer possible to conceive of a flat earth at t he center of the universe and, by the 1700's,
scientific methodology had torn down old prevailing religious ideologies linking diseases to sin
and evil spirts. Finally by the 1800's, at a time when scientific thought began to permeate society
at its most fundamental levels, science began to question the long held religious Special
Creation hypothesis founded upon the literal int erpretation of Genesis. Amidst building scientific
evidence, naturalists challenged the long held belief of the fixity of species and instead suggested
life forms to be undergoing a consistent gradual change.
At the center of the discussion was Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace s controversial Theory of
Natural Selection, a description of the natural mechanism which drives progressive change in
populations through time. Since its publication in 1858, this theory, which supports organic
evolution, has been highly criticized by many Christian groups. They point to its inconsistencies
with revealed scriptural doctrine, especially in regards to the creation of Man. Some even see it as
an attack on religion and the very existence of God. Scientists however point to an
overwhelming array of evidence which supports natural selection. Indeed, evolution has become
the main unifying theme tying all biological concepts together.
Were Darwin and Wallace right? In your paper consider natural selection and the premises upon
which it is built. Do you agree that these assumptions are valid in nature?
The first part of your paper should explain the theory of Natural Selection in some detail, premise
by premise. The point is, you need to have a good understanding of the theory before you attack
or support it. Yes, this is an opinion paper; however, only informed opinions are ever worth very
much. Next , you sho uld discuss Natural Select ion by focusing on the premises as you have
outlined them. Are the premises and assumptions that make up the theory valid? Can you support
them by real examples in nature? Or, on the other hand, can you see flaws in the logic and
deductions used in the creation of this theory? As a reminder, of course, you may use scriptural
reference if you wish in your evaluation of the premises of this theory. However, a note of
warning. A paper which only vaguely addresses natural selection and focuses instead on the
opinions of various Church members with regards to evolution will result in a failing grade. Stay
focused on natural selection and use your own critical thinking skills to critique this theory based
on its own particular merits.
Assignment #4 Allopatric Speciation
The earth s bio-diversity is staggering. To date, we ve identified more than 1.5 million species
with which we share the earth. In addition, new species are continually being found and
catalogued at an amazingly fast pace. Indeed, it seems the number of organisms thus far
identified may be but a small fraction of the total number on the earth. Some estimates reach as
high as 30 million unique species specifically adapted to their particular niche in their
environment. What is the cause of this bio-diversity? How do new species arise . . . or do they?
And if new species do not arise, as some claim, what are we to conclude about our bio-diversity
given organisms are constantly becoming extinct? Is earth s bio-diversity doomed to becoming
less and less with the passage of time? Questions such as these have been on the minds of
scientists for some time. Early naturalists believed, as recounted in the creation story of Genesis,
that all of the species of the earth were created in a single creation period some six thousand years
ago and never again. Further, it was held that each species was specifically adapted to its
particular environment in which it was created. Today, however, scientists hold to the idea that
all life forms have evolved from earlier forms of life in a process called speciation. Importantly,
they see t he creation as an ongoing process in which speciation brings about organisms in
response to ever changing environmental conditions.
Scientist point to three different types of speciation: allopatric, sympatric, and parapatric. Your
assignment is to research and summerize allopatric specieation. In your paper address whether
you feel the theory is logically sound and whether it is observed in nature? In your mind, can it
account for the wide variety of species, both living and extinct?
The first part of your paper should define the term species. What constitutes two organisms as
being the same species or different species? With this definition, explain the theory of allopatric
speciation and how new species arise by this mechanism. Be sure to include how genetic
divergence and isolating mechanisms effect this process. Again, you need to show that you have a
good understanding of this mechanism before you express your opinion concerning it. Also
remember, this should be a paper about allopatric speciation not a paper about the opinions of
various Church members with regards to evolution. Use your own critical thinking skills to
critique this theory based on its own particular merits.
Assignment # 5 Evolution and the Church.
Consider if there is room for evolution in t he go spel. Can you have a testimony and believe in
evolution? Can you mesh the vast array of scientific evidence such as fossils, embryology etc.
with the scriptures? Give examples to support your conclusions.