The Theory of Evolution
The HMS Beagle in the Straits of Magellan,
from Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle
While Charles Darwin was aboard the HMS Beagle, he kept a journal of ideas and observations which helped him later formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection. For this assignment, pretend that you are Charles Darwin, and that you are writing a journal entry during your time aboard the HMS Beagle. Your journal entry should express Darwin's thoughts and ideas around evolution based on what you learned in this topic. In addition, you should include descriptions of some of the animals that Darwin used to formulate his theory.
Since this is a journal entry, it should be written in the first-person singular voice. Your journal entry should be 8 to 10 sentences in length, and should also include at least two sketches or digital graphics to support what you write. The topics that you should address in your journal entry include:
- The theory of evolution by natural selection;
- Observations related to finches, tortoises, and iguanas on the Galápagos Islands and elsewhere; and
- Some of the different evidence that Darwin might have used to support his theory.
You may wish to view the A Trip Around the World website from the American Museum of Natural History to learn more about Charles Darwin's journey on the HMS Beagle. There are several articles on this website that can help you with your journal entry.
You will need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment, so please submit a Works Cited document with your assignment submission. If you need assistance, visit the Developmental Module for information on citing resources. Before you begin, review the Darwin Journal Entry Checklist to make sure that you include all of the items required for full credit.
Once you have completed your Darwin Journal Entry, please submit your work to the dropbox.