Evolution and Society
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this introduction to the scientific and cultural history of evolutionary theory since 1800. The course traces how Darwin's ideas developed and spread, covering nineteenth century debates over natural selection and the creation controversies that followed into the twentieth century. Students work through primary texts, including Darwin's own writing and responses from his contemporaries and critics, then analyze how evolutionary theory has been used and misused in fields from anthropology to social policy. Class sessions center on discussion of assigned readings and student presentations on key debates rather than lectures. Materials include the full syllabus, reading list, and assignment descriptions, free to access under MIT's open license. No certificate is offered, but anyone can follow the reading schedule and study questions at their own pace to work through the material MIT undergraduates cover in the classroom.