The modern debate over the validity of the opposing intelligent design and evolution positions has continued for over 20 years and ended up in the courtroom more than once. Media Perspectives on Intelligent Design and Evolution seeks to present readers with an even-handed, unbiased explanation of the issues within this heated debate and show how the media subtly "frames"—or depicts—the dispute.
Ideal as a reference text for high school and college students, this book examines the controversies in schools in Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Georgia; the major court decisions concerning the teaching of intelligent design in public schools; and the role of organizations such as the Discovery Institute and the National Science Teachers Association in the debate over intelligent design. Specific examples of how media such as network and cable news providers have portrayed the issue of intelligent design in schools demonstrate the powerful influence of media upon public opinion.
Along with the abortion, death penalty, and euthanasia debates, the public discussion over the origins of humankind continues with no end in sight. For those researching the media's contribution to the discourse, turn to former Associate Press reporter Paxton's (media, journalism, & film, Missouri State Univ.) retrospective text. Researchers will have ample material to mine in this well-referenced resource providing a balanced look at how the media has presented this issue to the public over the past two decades. Helpful appendixes include "Names in the News," "Timeline of Major Court Cases," and "Timeline of Media Moments in the Evolution-Intelligent Design Debate." VERDICT A thoughtful reference addition for school, college, and public libraries.
