CRST 290 History of Life

This course provides a survey of topics relevant to the contemporary debate on creation and evolution. Students will learn current young-Earth creation perspectives and research in science, philosophy, and theology. An important guiding principle for the course is that the formulation of a coherent young-Earth creation model is preferable to merely anti-evolution arguments.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will submit a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be at least 250 words (not including citations), demonstrate course-related knowledge (ensuring major points are supported by the Learn items, pertinent conceptual or personal examples, and/or thoughtful analysis), and integrate biblical principles. For each thread, the student will support his/her assertions with the number of citations required by the Discussion Assignment Instructions, following the instructions for each thread prompt and using current Turabian format. In addition to the thread, the student will reply to the thread of at least 1 classmate with thoughtful and substantive interaction. Replies must be at least 150 words (not including citations) and incorporate at least 1 citation that meets the prompt requirements in the Discussion Assignment Instructions, following the instructions for each reply prompt and using current Turabian format. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment

The student will select the topic that will be used to write his or her Research Paper, a project that will be completed in three assignments: Research Paper: Topic Selection Assignment, Research Paper: Annotated Bibliography Assignment, and Research Paper: Final Draft Assignment. The student will read all of the instructions for the Research Paper Assignments and then choose from a list of provided non-traditional views on Genesis 1 in preparation for the Research Paper, in which the student will compare and contrast his or her chosen view with a traditional, 24-hour day, young-Earth view of Genesis 1. The student will then write 100–125 words to discuss what the chosen view proposes (in 3–4 sentences), its timeframe, and why it was chosen. (CLO: C)

Research Paper: Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will write an Annotated Bibliography of sources to be used in writing the Research Paper. The Annotated Bibliography must contain at least 5 sources in current Turabian format. The citations will consist of 2 sources from proponents of the student’s chosen non-traditional view of Genesis 1, with at least 1 source from the list of non-traditional proponents provided in the instructions, and 3 sources from young-Earth proponents critiquing the chosen view, with at least 1 source from the list of theology-trained young-Earth proponents provided in the instructions. Only 2 of the sources may be online videos, up to 1 for both the non-traditional and traditional views. Each citation must be followed by a 60–80-word summary, highlighting its relevance to the Research Paper. (CLO: A, C)

Research Paper: Final Draft Assignment

The student will write a research-based paper that will compare and contrast a previously chosen non-traditional view of Genesis 1 with a traditional, 24-hour day, young-Earth view. The Research Paper must include a title page; an abstract of 100–150 words that summarizes the paper’s purpose and findings; a 350–400-word overview of the chosen non-traditional view that discusses the view’s origins, translation choices for the Hebrew word “day,” treatment of the biblical Creation Week, and any creation timeframe claims; a 400–450-word response to the chosen non-traditional view that evaluates it from a traditional, young-Earth perspective, discussing possible translation issues, points of agreement/disagreement with sequence of biblical creation events, implications for changes to biblical timelines, and implications for changes to doctrine; a 150–200-word conclusion that provides a summary of the paper’s findings and the student’s perspective on the views presented; and a bibliography (no annotations). The total length of the paper must be 1,000–1,200 words. The Research Paper must contain at least 5 sources (following the same source requirements found in the Research Paper: Annotated Bibliography Assignment) but no more than 10 and must be in current Turabian format. (CLO: A, C, E)

Quizzes (7)

Each quiz will cover the course Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 45-minute time limit. One attempt is allowed for each quiz. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Quiz: Final Exam

The Quiz: Final Exam will cover the Learn material for the entire course. The Quiz: Final Exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain 75 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 2-hour time limit. One attempt is allowed. The student may refer only to his or her personal notes and materials from this course during the assessment. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Quiz: Final Essay Exam

The Quiz: Final Essay Exam will cover the Learn material for the entire course. The Quiz: Final Essay Exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain 1 essay question, and have a time limit of 45 minutes. One attempt is allowed. The student will provide a response of 400 words for the essay question. The student may refer only to his or her personal notes and materials from this course during the assessment. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)