EvoS Journal: The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium
Volume 9, Special Issue 2, 2017
Title
What to do when you don’t have an Evolutionary Studies program… yet: Evolutionary Infusion into the Social Sciences and Humanities
Author(s)
Burch, R.
Abstract
This paper provides insight into the challenge of creating a successful interdisciplinary Evolutionary Studies Program. There are several academic ‘selection pressures’ (e.g., resource scarcity, competition for resources, territoriality, predation) that a program must successfully avoid or address to thrive. Using a failed attempt to create a program as an example, these pressures and pitfalls will be discussed. If, as in this failed attempt, a given environment is not hospitable for a program, an effective strategy for carving out an evolutionary niche may be to infuse evolutionary principles into existing programs. Thinking beyond the traditional ‘homes’ of evolutionary theory (e.g., anthropology and biology) and migrating to the humanities and social sciences can create new theoretical models and practices for students who would not learn about evolutionary science otherwise (e.g., international studies, positive psychology, gender studies, health and wellness). Taking advantages of these new environments can create new academic opportunities for students and expand evolutionary disciplines.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59077/YMWD1093
How to cite this article:
Burch, R. (2018). What to do when you don’t have an evolutionary studies program… yet: Evolutionary infusion into the social sciences and humanities. The Journal of the Evolutionary Studies Consortium, 9, Sp. Iss. (2), 30-42.
