English 102 - Spring 2009

Clark turns to philosophy to assess the relationship between naturalism and supernaturalism. In a political sense, all debates must deal with the physical world, for that is all that we know. Religious doctrines are acceptable as moral implicates, but in order to extend universality in the public realm, the language cannot be theological. The issue is essentially linguistic; by using a common language grounded in empiricism, we can better tackle the issues at hand. Clark suggests that the best mode of pacifying these views is to turn toward empiricism, which is grounded in evidence rather than faith. There is no way to "prove" faith. However, it is important to guard against the threat of "totalitarian empiricism" in which uniformity replaces consciousness. We live in a pluralistic society, and so it is to remain. Extending this thinking to the evolution-creation debate can perhaps shed light on a very plausible and practical solution.

Adolescence is a period of great intellectual development that holds a lasting, lifelong influence. The authors examine the degree to which a school's religious affiliation and contextual teaching influence the development of adolescent belief systems and attitudes. The researchers find that the religious tenor of the school is incredibly influential in shaping student worldviews. Because religion and science are often viewed as diametrically opposed, I'd like to take this data a little further and ask, to what degree does this trend impede or facilitate scientific literacy?

The teaching of such a controversial social issue as evolution in the classroom presents difficulties to instructors, both on personal and professional levels. Griffith and Brem examined fifteen Arizona biology teachers, pulling their experiences from focus groups, interviews, and surveys. The study contains a great deal of anecdotal information dealing with both internal and external influences on instructors' teaching methods. This research investigates a whole new realm of the issue as it pertains to literacy by looking directly at those who control the flow of information and those who influence it. However, the researchers make little conclusive headway, suggesting simply that instructors should be made more comfortable with the topic by having access to better information and resources. Ultimately, the personal experiences are telling of the political climate and social stressors.

Kahle commentates on the opening of the $27 million Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky and its potential impact on the evolution/creationism debate. Despite the legal decisions of the past century, which have largely determined that creationism is religion and therefore has no place in the science classroom, Americans by and large uphold religious assertions over science, a tendency caused primarily by the continual endorsement of pseudoscience. The Kentucky Visitor's Bureau, a department supported by public tax dollars, lends credibility to the Creation Museum as a "walk through history . . . [that] will counter evolutionary natural history museums." Placing science and pseudoscience in the same realm, argues Kahle, is a mistake that may circumvent empirical science as a measure of truth.

This article gives scope to the controversy over teaching evolution, for it pertains to biology education in the United Kingdom. Reiss notes that a recent trend in science education is to teach about doing science, which helps to reinforce and illustrate its universality and practical application. He proposes furthermore that science teachers should examine the connection between science and religion with their students, as this sort of all-encompassing objectivity is in keeping with the philosophy of science. In this manner, students may be more apt to engage science without feeling threatened by it. By teaching more about the nature of science and its methods, students will also come to understand the difference between scientific knowledge and other forms of knowledge. Reiss suggestions present an interesting way of "reaching across the aisle" without compromising the integrity of either side.

This article talks about some common sense rules cannabis users should regulate their use. By comparative study of marijuana users in Amsterdam and San Francisco data shows similar use patterns and having to do with drug control. Despite different drug policies the two cities are similar in marijuana use. This is excellent support because it shows that it does not matter if marijuana is legal or not. This data comparison also supports reasons for legalization. If one country has legalized marijuana and it is not effecting their society negatively than the US needs to reconsider marijuana laws.

Marijuana is heavily repressed in the United States. There is repeated documentation that there are lower risks associated with marijuana use compared to alcohol consumption. Also our government spends billions of dollars yearly to fight the war on drug/marijuana. Socially the United States needs to reform laws to accommodate social and economic disputes. This article effectively attacks the problem in the United States with marijuana laws. This article entails the health risks and economic issues that can be resolved with legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Medical documentation gives evidence of lower health risks with marijuana compared to alcohol.

This article is about how Harry Potter affects literacy. It is well written. It goes in deptha and shares the suthors perspective on not only the book but also how it affects literacy.

This article is a story about a sick student. The author is a teacher who was giving her books to read during the recovery process. Harry Potter was the perfect prescription for her. She goes in to talking about the Potter phenomen that has swept the nation in the recent years.

The reading phenomen of Harry Potter is sweeping the world. Children from all over are beginning to read thanks to a fictional wizard. This series of books have single handedly revivedreading as a thing to do for an entire generation.

This is a great article going in depth on one of J.k.Rowling's books. It helps prove that Harry otter is more then just a childrens story. Life lessons can be learned from reading this series.

As the title says Harry Potter helps literacy. This article has statistics to prove it as well. It truly is amazing how out of the billions of books out in the world a single series can change an entire generation of literacy.

This is a book written on the poularity of Harry Potter. It talks about how popular the books have become and its effects.

The author in this article filled the pages with stats about how Potter has affected literacy. This article does not only go into depth on children but also the affect it has on parents. This is a great article for facts.

This article tells us how teachers are getting students involved in the roots of words. Teachers have begun to realize this and use it in a way to help teach students root words. The author shows that j.k. Rowling has increased world literacy by ringing latin into her writing.

This article is not only about literacy but how the potter series affects the discourse of gender. The author does a great job in explaining this to other teachers in particular teenage literacy teachers. The discourse of gender and literacy is a topic that has become popular in the past few years and Harry Potter is a perfect book for it.

This is a rather confusing article I came across on deep reading. It is well written but very wordy. Definitely written for very intelligent people, but adds good facts about reading.

Reflection on Hary Potter and his affect on children.

This article explores the effect of the Potter series on reading. It says that many young people particular boys don't read. However the Potter books are a quick fix to this. Harry Potter may have changed the reading habits of an entire generation

Colletti,Carolyn. "Girls & Money: A Coordinated Approach to Financial Literacy." Independent School 63.1 (Fall2003 2003): 64-65. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Roesch Lib., U. of Dayton, Dayton, OH.14 Mar. 2009. .

Colletti discusses the coordinated approach to financial literacy for girls that was started by the National Coalition of Girls' Schools in the U.S. The article stresses the importance for woman and girls to have sound financial literacy for success. Children have an understanding of finance and fairness even at a very young age. Therefore, young children are capable of learning about financial literacy at a very early age. The article also shares results of a financial skills study of teenage girls. Financial literacy education is a tool to help bridge the gap that woman have experienced throughout the ages.