Starting with this assignment, each paper that you write will go through a series of stages, as described below. Note that this sequence differs slightly from what I described during class. This is the definitive version.
Intro: Write an introductory paragraph. Email it to me and I will provide relatively quick feedback (within a day, I hope).
Write, take 1: Write a first version of the paper. This should not be a draft, but rather a complete attempt at a final product. Submit this first version.
Review: You wil be given two other papers to review. The papers will be anonymized. You will read the papers and write a thorough, constructively critical review for each. You will submit these two reviews, and they will be graded.
Write, take 2: Given the anonymous feedback provided by reviews, improve your paper. Submit this final version again. This final version will be graded by me. Additionally, the best half of the papers will be given an additional 1/3rd letter grade increase.
For this paper, you must choose one of the two following topics below. Note that these descriptions have changed slightly from what was presented in class. Specifically, these are somewhat broader and, I hope, more clear. However, if your thesis fits best with the versions presented in class, then you need not change it.
With each topic (astronomy, geology, biology), we see that Christianity, after protesting the changes brought about by new observations and models, ultimately accepted and adapted to them. Given the observations that brought about these scientific ideas (e.g. the finding of new animals on new continents), was science inevitable? Does it present a model for adjustment to new observations and ideas that is fundamentally different from those performed within Christianity? Or does the process only differ in the details?
Gosse presents a undeniably logical synthesis of religious and scientific views, yet his synthesis was summarily rejected by both sides. Why? How is this synthesis related to Collins' current position? Is some synthesis desirable or necessary (either in principle or pragmatically)? Is a good synthesis even possible?
Note that this paper must be no more than 4 double-spaced pages long. You must use 12-point Times font with 1 inch margins on all sides. It is critical that your name not appear on your paper; don't worry, I will be able to attribute each paper to its author through the electronic submission system.
You must upload the PDF version of your paper using this assignment's submission web page. You will need to login using your Amherst College username and password to submit your work.