Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 23: The Jersey Devil, And Friends, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

For nearly three hundred years reports have surfaced of a purported cryptid form known as the ‘Jersey devil.’ In this work an interpretation of the goals of biogeography is given, and how this field can be related to such alleged phenomena, as well as to some of the ideas of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) that seem to find their origin in the writings of Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677).

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 24. Wallace At 200: Potential Subjects For Student Theses, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

The bicentennial of Alfred Russel Wallace’s birth in 2023 will likely produce a wide array of reviews of his life and work; here, we pause for a short look at some Wallace-related questions that might be adapted for student theses and dissertations. Some of the subjects treated fall in with established lines of research, while others are suggested by other Wallace interests or activities that have not been much explored.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 21: Wallace & The Doorway To The Universe, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

An important yet largely unrecognized theme in the thought of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823−1913) was his insistence that all dependably-reported phenomena, even those of aberrant nature, were worthy of a respectful kind of attention: that is, a kind which did not automatically banish difficult subjects to the realm of myth or superstition. In this work, Wallace’s philosophy in this direction is documented, and linked to the world of post-Age-of-Enlightenment revisionism.

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 19: Social Evolution's Useful Idiots, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

In today’s world liberals look at conservatives as the villains, and vice versa. How did this come to pass? In this essay a model of the biological roots of liberalism and conservatism is advanced; this is followed by a discussion of why cognitive dissonance may represent the key process in our social evolution. Alfred Russel Wallace’s experience with cognitive dissonance is then detailed, including how he dealt with it.

Making The Grade: Increasing Inclusivity Through Equitable Evaluation Practices: Poster, Patricia Desrosiers, Gayle Mallinger

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Grades are an essential university currency, used to determine:

• Scholarships
• Retention
• Graduate school admission

Educators are rarely encouraged to examine their own grading policies.

Traditional grading practices have perpetuated achievement gaps – particularly for our historically underrepresented students

• Learning (competence) takes time – our grading practices should recognize this
• Students should have a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills, values, and/or cognitive/affective processes they are expected to will demonstrate upon completing a lesson/unit/course activities
• Essential to support and promote students’ ownership and investment in their learning – equitable grading practices

Making The Grade: Increasing Inclusivitiy Through Equitable Evaluation Practices, Gayle Mallinger, Simon Funge, Paige Cato

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Grades are an essential university currency, used to determine:

• Scholarships
• Retention
• Graduate school admission

Educators are rarely encouraged to examine their own grading policies.