Biology Today: An Issues Approach
{{short description|Book by Edwin Harris Colbert}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Biology Today: An Issues Approach
| author = Edwin H. Colbert, Michael Morales, Eli C. Minkoff, Pamela J. Baker
| image = Biologytoday.jpg
| language = English
| subject = Biology Textbook
| publisher = Garland Science
| pub_date = February 21, 1996
| pages = 768
| isbn = 0070426295
| isbn_note = (First edition ISBN)
| dewey= 570 21
| congress= QH315 .M63 2004
| oclc= 52295302
}}
Biology Today: An Issues Approach is a college-oriented Biology textbook by Eli C. Minkoff and Pamela J. Baker designed to integrate the teaching of biological concepts within the context of current societal issues relating to these topics.{{cite journal|last=Lederman|first=Muriel|title=Teaching Science with the Social Studies of Science for Equity|journal=Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering|year=2005|volume= 11|issue=3|page=262|doi=10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v11.i3.40|bibcode=2005JWMSE..11..257L |url=http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/pt/journals/00551c876cc2f027,4b98a4a67e73f6be,695fc9ec0c2d125c.html|accessdate=13 June 2013|url-access=subscription}} It is the original issues-oriented introductory-level general biology textbook.{{cite web|title=Biology Today: General Information|url=https://abacus.bates.edu/acad/depts/biobook/general.htm|publisher=Bates College|accessdate=27 July 2024}} The latest edition is currently published by the textbooks division of Garland Science. It is 768 pages long.{{cn|date=July 2024}}
About the Book
Unlike other introductory-level general biology textbooks, Biology Today: An Issues Approach is unique in the sense that it has an issues-oriented approach towards the teaching of biology concepts which emphasizes coherent understanding of the given material. The goal of the book isn't to give any straightforward answers to any of the questions that the text brings up - instead it gives the reader the information necessary to formulate his or her own opinion. Critical thinking is stressed throughout the reading.{{cite web|title=Biology Today: General Information|url=https://abacus.bates.edu/acad/depts/biobook/general.htm|publisher=Bates College|accessdate=27 July 2024}}
Format
The book's format includes opening each chapter with an Issues section that states the underlying questions within the chapter's frameset. Many critical issues are raised throughout each chapter. Some examples of different chapters in the book are HIV and AIDS (16), Drugs and Addiction (14), and The Population Explosion (9). Thought questions at the end of each chapter bring up some of the chapter's initial issues raised on critical questions and allow for class discussion and student participation.{{cite journal|last=Lewis|first=Ricky|title=Special Book Article: The Evolving Role of the Textbook in Introductory Biology|journal=BioScience|date=March 1998|volume=48|issue=3|page=198|doi=10.2307/1313266|jstor=1313266}}
Reception
Reception for the book has been positive.{{cite journal|title=Untangling Biological Reality from The Social Construction of Race|author=Leslie S. Jones|journal=Reaching Through Teaching (Kennesaw State University)|date=Fall 2005|volume=XVII|issue=1|pages=42–51 [49]|url=http://www.kennesaw.edu/cetl/publications/rtt/RTT17,1.pdf#page=42|accessdate=13 June 2013}} The Quarterly Review of Biology gave a positive review for the text in 1997 and 2005,{{cite journal|last=Repak|first=Arthur J.|title=Book Review: Biology Today: An Issues Approach|journal=Quarterly Review of Biology|date=September 1997|volume=72|issue=3|pages=315–316|jstor=3037390|doi=10.1086/419868}} with the reviewer in 2005 calling it "an excellent textbook" and praising the website associated with the book.{{cite journal|last=Burtt, Jr|first=Edward H.|title=Reviewed work(s): Biology Today: An Issues Approach. Third Edition. By Eli C. Minkoff and Pamela J. Baker.|journal=The Quarterly Review of Biology|date=March 2005|volume=80|issue=1|page=102|doi=10.1086/431042|jstor=10.1086/431042}} BioScience also gave praise for the book, commenting upon its layout and approach.{{cite journal|last=Lewis|first=Ricky|title=Special Book Article: The Evolving Role of the Textbook in Introductory Biology|journal=BioScience|date=March 1998|volume=48|issue=3|page=198|doi=10.2307/1313266|jstor=1313266}}