GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF LIFE SCIENCE
BIOL4070: Spring 2005: MWF 1-1:50, SC 128, Pre-requisite: Evolution: BIOL 3110. Instructor: Dr. Kate Grandison, Office: LS184a, hours: MW 9-10am & 3-4 pm, F 9-11am, open door, or by appointment. Telephone: 865-8345, e-mail: grandison@suu.edu
GOALS and FORMAT OF THIS COURSE: The emphasis of this class will be on COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS on the Nature of Science. Through the course format of written papers, presentations, discussion and final written exam you are expected to acquire and demonstrate:
1. A basic understanding of the scope and benchmarks of biological literacy.
2. Knowledge of the historical development of biology, and how it relates to personal philosophy of scientists, as well as social and cultural forces, and technological advances.
3. Knowledge of the scientific method, and how it defines the limits of science.
4. The ability to apply this understanding and knowledge for use in your life.
REFERENCES: Required texts: Science as a Way of Knowing by John A. Moore. 1999. First Harvard University Press,
The Nature of Life: Readings in Biology forward by L. Margulis and D. Sagan. 2001. Great Books Foundation.
Ishmael: by Daniel Quinn. 1992. Bantam/Turner Paperback.
Additional References: In class you will receive information from selected papers, presentations, videotapes and discussion. The syllabus and course materials can be found online at WebCT and http://.suu.edu/faculty/grandison/. Excellent books on the nature of science and biographies of scientists can be found in the library. See me for additional references and suggestions.
COURSE REQUIRMENTS AND GRADING: Grades will be based on demonstration of your acquisition of the class goals through class participation, papers, presentations, and your final exam. Attendance Policy: Your class attendance and your class participation will be recorded. Attending class, obtaining handouts and assignments ARE your responsibilities. If you know that you will be absent prior to a due assignment make arrangements with me ahead of time. Late work will not be accepted.
1) DISCUSSION PAPERS AND PARTICIPATION . Each week we will read selected papers and book chapters. For each reading you will write a short response paper. Your response will be the basis for discussion both within selected groups and to the class as a whole. These will be graded for comprehensiveness, accuracy, thoughtfulness and mechanics. Each paper will be worth 12 points plus 3 points for your discussion =15 points. There will also be to-be-announced written assignments. Each week there will be a short 5 pt. Participation Quiz. This Quiz will be announced at the beginning of class time. Written papers = 150 points, Participation Quizzes = 75 points
Total papers and participation quiz scores =225 points ~50% of your grade
2) ORAL REPORT. You will prepare a short discussion on some person, event, instrument, etc. that shaped the history of science. A written outline should be prepared for distribution to the class; your outline, a 2-3 page Book review, and your oral presentation will be graded. Oral Report =100 points ~ 20% of your grade.
3) GROUP PRESENTATION. In groups of 3, you will prepare a short presentation on an appropriate approved topic; which affects or describes the status or future of science. A written outline should be prepared for distribution to the class; your outline and your group presentation will be graded. Group Presentation = 50 points ~ 10% of your grade.
4) FINAL ESSAY EXAM. . This will be a take home final demonstrating your acquisition of course goals through your synthesis of all knowledge gathered during this course. Your final performance will be graded equally on comprehensiveness, accuracy, relevance, and thoughtfulness. Final Exam =100 points ~ 20% of your grade
5) Final Grade Distribution: Total Percentage earned equals Course grade as follows:
A >93%, A- = 90-92.9%, B+ = 87-89.9%, B = 83-86.9%, B- = 80-82.9%, C+ =77-79.9%, C= 73-76.9%, C- = 70-72.9, D = 65-69.9%, F = <65%. Your scores will be posted on WebCT. Please contact me with any concerns or clarifications on your grade throughout the semester.
Cheating/Plagiarism will earn an F grade and students may face expulsion from the university (see official university policy in the student handbook). All written assignments will be sent to me electronically and evaluated for plagiarism using Turnitin.com. If in doubt about plagiarism, cite your sources (see Pechenik, p.32, for further discussion). Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior.
ADA Statement: Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Southern Utah University Coordinator for Services to Students with Disabilities (SSD), Room 205D, Sharwan Smith Center, phone (435) 865-8022. SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services and aids."
Information contained in this syllabus, other than grade and absence policies may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
SCHEDULE (subject to change)
WEEK DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT DUE
JANUARY 10
M
Introduction to the NATURE OF SCIENCE, and Biology Big Ideas, and Shared Inquiry Discussion
W
What is Science? Shared Inquiry Discussion Your typed definition with 3 sources
F
NATURE OF SCIENCE SAAWK Intro, Scoring Rubric at end of hour
JANUARY 17
M MLKing Day HOLIDAY
W
The beginning of Science in Greece? Read outline & take Video Notes
F
Early scientists in the first millennia SAAWK Chapter 1-timeline
JANUARY 24
M
ARISTOTLE and THE NATURE OF BIOLOGY SAAWK Chapter 2/notes
W
Scientific Discovery: Aristotle and Lucretius, p. 21-40 NOL Paper #1 DUE
F
Early scientists in the first millennia <13th century REPORTS and SAAWK Chapter 3 - TIMELINE
JANUARY 31
M
Early scientists in the first millennia <13th century Student Reports
W
History Update: Judeo-Christian Worldview SAAWK Chapter 4 TIMELINE
F
Early scientists in the first millennia 14 &15th century Student Reports
FEBRUARY 7
M
Bacon: Novum Organum p. 41-53 NOL Paper #2 DUE
W
Mid millenia scientists 16 century Student Reports
F
History Update Science Revolution SAAWK Chapter 5 TIMELINE
FEBRUARY 14
M
Panglossian/Mendel Discussion SAAWK Chapter 11
W
Mid millenia scientists 17 century Student Reports
F
Mendel: Experiments in Plant Hybridization p, 97-114 NOL Paper #3 DUE
FEBRUARY 21
M President’s Day HOLIDAY
W
Historical Update ?Guest speaker SAAWK Chapter 6 Group work
F
Mid millenia scientists 18 century Student Reports
FEBRUARY 28
M
Darwin : Recapitulation (HO) and Conclusion (NOL:55-67) NOL PAPER #4 DUE
W
Historical Update SAAWK Chapter 7 Group work
F
Mid millenia scientists 19 century Student Reports
MARCH 7
M
Eiseley: The Snout p. 125-135 NOL Paper #5 DUE
W
MPasteur /Beaumont Video notes & discussion
Thursday-March 10 is Science Fair: Judges needed
F
Late first- millenia scientists 1900-1950 Student Reports
MARCH 14-18 Do research SPRING RECESS in the Bahamas??
MARCH 21
M
Gould: Just in the Middle p. 237-252 NOL Paper #6 DUE
W
Art as a Way of Knowing: Arlene Braithwaite read Consilience & do Campus Sculpture Survey
F
GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY Read ISHMAEL
MARCH 28
M
EASTER HOLIDAY Read ISHMAEL
W
ISHMAEL: notes / Discussion
F
ISHMAEL: notes / Discussion
APRIL 4
M
Margulis: Life from Scum, p. 261-281 NOL Paper #7 DUE
W
Late first- millenia scientists 1950-2004 Student Reports
F
Late first- millenia scientists 1950-2004 Student Reports
APRIL 11
M
Undergraduate Research Week watch videos Double Helix/Dark Lady and read NOL p.181-201
W
Double Helix/Dark Lady Discussion ? Timeline & Plot Movie Notes
F
Effect of Feminism and WASPS Read Papers/ Marginalia Notes/ Discussion
APRIL 18
M
Knowledge and Certainty/ Scientific Revolutions: The Nature of Science Re-defined: Discussion
W
Late first- millenia scientists 1950-2004 Student Reports
F
STATUS AND FUTURE OF SCIENCE : GROUP PRESENTATIONS
APRIL 25
M
STATUS AND FUTURE OF SCIENCE : IS SCIENCE DEAD? CHAOS OR CONSILIENCE REIGNS??
W
And what about Pseudoscience, cryptozoology,etc (Cont.) GROUP PRESENTATIONS
F
Review and predictions for the 21 century Discussion and Power of One
MAY 5
R
FINAL EXAM DUE THURSDAY , meet @ 1 PM for Final Evaluation and Discussion
* A Discussion Paper will be required for each discussion reading assignment. The papers are to be prepared and TYPED before the discussion period and handed in at the end of that period. Late work will not be accepted unless special arrangements have been made with me. All written work is to be submitted to me electronically as well for evaluation by Turnitin.com
DISCUSSION PAPER FORMAT
Head each paper with the reference as follows: Author. Year. Article title. Book or Journal Name. Volume: page numbers.
Example: Gillette,D. 1995. True grit: Did dinosaurs have gizzards and crops? Natural History 104:41-45
Then use the following format with labeled sections for your typed (single spaced) response. For Readings in the Nature of Life, use the reading questions and your answers to write these sections. However, Use these questions to help you organize your response to the reading, i.e., make complete sentences – do not simply answer the questions :
1. STATE CONTENT: Statement of the author's message.
a. State in your own words (in a short pararaph) what you think the reading was all about. Ask yourself "why do I think this article was assigned?" Do so in your own words; not "she or he says". Also, make note of the major themes or points which are relevant to the concerns of this course. Include answers to all Questions and Make sure that you include and define key terms or concepts - mark those you feel need clarification.
b. During the discussion period, ask group members to state what the reading was about. Ask if you've defined key concepts as they understand them. Add to what someone else has said. Leave space on your paper to write down additional information.
2. RELATE: Integration and application of the material.
a. Compare the material presented in the reading with that presented in other readings and with that presented in this and other classes. State the meaning or usefulness of the new material in understanding other ideas or concepts. Give examples of how you might apply the new material or how knowledge of it may be useful to you.
b. During the discussion period, ask group members how the new material contradicts, substantiates, or amplifies some previously developed point. Leave space on your paper to write down additional information.
3. EVALUATE: Discussion of the reading assignment.
a. Support or question the validity of the arguments or the reasoning of the author(s). State why and how you think the new material is or is not useful. Evaluate the presentation in terms of clarity, consistency, balance of viewpoints, and adequacy of data. Did you find the reading interesting? Why? or why not?
b. This could be important when reading material about controversial subjects - but may not be a major point for discussion. Leave space on your paper to write down additional information just in case.
NOTE: Your worksheet must be typed (single-spaced) in the format described above (include headings for each section). Remember to leave additional space in each section for discussion notes. Each paper is worth 15 points. Write in complete sentences with correct spelling and grammar. The Braithwaite writing lab is available for the grammatically challenged. 1 point will be subtracted for every three spelling or grammar errors.
Plagiarism consists of copying someone else’s work and failing to give an original author credit for their work. Cheating and/or plagiarism constitutes academic dishonesty and will result in a zero for the work and possible further action from the University as stated in the Student’s Handbook.
CLASS DISCUSSION and PARTICIPATION: I will try to discern the pattern of your contributions over time. I will observe: 1) the content of your remarks to see if you are learning the material; 2) how you participate in the discussion process, i.e./ active and attentive listening, relating comments to previous statements, challenging assumptions and inconsistencies (in a non-confrontational manner!); and 3) the frequency of your participation ( although the quality and insightfulness of your contributions is most important). Participation does not equate with domination, make sure you understand the ideas of all your group members.
GROUP PRESENTATION: Your Presentation should include: 1) Your claim: WHAT is the topic and what makes it a science issue, 2) Your evidence, 3) Your interpretation of How this topic affects the status or future of science, i.e., So What? and Now What?: Consequences, Solutions, or Actions that need to be taken?
ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENTS (from past students)