SC210 Syllabus--Fall 2012

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CS210--Science and Technology in Society--Fall 2012
Tuesday, Thursday--Period Q (2:00-3:15 PM)

The Textbook

Course Description

Course Objectives

Course Policies

Grading System

Course Schedule

Prof. Thomas A. Easton

OFFICE: Rm. 108

OFFICE HOURS: 12-3 PM MW, 9:30 AM-12 PM TTh

OFFICE PHONE: 859-1331

HOME PHONE: 338-1074

CANCELLATION PHONE NUMBER: 859-1140

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THE TEXTBOOK

Easton, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Science, Technology, and Society, McGraw-Hill, 10th ed., 2012 (ISBN: 978-0-07-805027-5)

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course surveys current issues related to science and technology and their effects on society, focusing on the debates over the issues.

See "Course policies" below for details on testing and grading.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, students will be able to:

Explain the nature of science and technology

Explain the sources of technological change

Explain the restraints on science and technology in modern society

Explain how science and technology affect the conditions of human life

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COURSE POLICIES

Each student may be absent twice without penalty. Each additional two absences without a medical excuse (no others are acceptable) will cost the student three points on the course grade.

We will address the issues in the text one by one. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the issue scheduled for the day. Failure to contribute to the discussion in a way that demonstrates preparation counts as an absence. "Preparation" means at least reading the issue material; excellent preparation will include doing some additional research and reading.

Students will write six 3-5 page papers (see below for schedule) defending one side of an issue and a single larger paper (10-15 pages) on the way society views risks in the context of a particular technology. Papers MUST be supported by high-quality references (e.g., those available through EBSCO HOST on the library's Web page).

The first six papers will each be worth 10% of the course grade. The seventh paper will be worth 40% of the course grade.

Students who plagiarize essays will receive zeros for the work in question, with no makeup opportunities.

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GRADING SYSTEM

A (94 - 100)      A- (90 - 93)
B+ (87 - 89)     B (83 - 86)    B- (80 - 82)
C+ (77 - 79)     C (73 - 76)     C- (70 - 72)
D+ (67 - 69)     D (63 - 66)    D- (60 - 62)
F (below 60)

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COURSE SCHEDULE

CAUTION: COURSE SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT WARNING!

DATE	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT

Tuesday Aug 28	Introduction	Read the Introduction in text

Thursday Aug 30	The scientific method	Read the Introduction in text

Tuesday Sept 4	Should the public have to pay to see the results of federally funded research? YES	Read Issue 1 in text Paper #1: Research Issue 1 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Thursday Sept 6	Should the public have to pay to see the results of federally funded research? NO

Tuesday Sept 11	Should "Intelligent Design" be taught in public schools? YES	Read Issue 2

Thursday Sept 13	Should "Intelligent Design" be taught in public schools? NO

Tuesday Sept 18	Should the Internet be neutral? YES	Read Issue 3 Paper #2: Research Issue 3 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Thursday Sept 20	Should the Internet be neutral? NO

Tuesday Sept 25	Can "climate engineering" solve global warming? YES	Read Issue 4

Thursday Sept 28	Can "climate engineering" solve global warming? NO

Tuesday Oct 2	Should nuclear power be revived? YES	Read Issue 5 Paper #3: Research Issue 5 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Thursday Oct 4	Should nuclear power be revived? NO

Tuesday Oct 9	NO CLASS--COLUMBUS DAY

Thursday Oct 11	Do falling birth rates threaten human welfare? YES	Read Issue 7

Tuesday Oct 16	Do falling birth rates threaten human welfare? NO

Thursday Oct 18	Can infectious animal diseases be studied safely in Kansas? YES	Read Issue 10 Paper #4: Research Issue 10 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Tuesday Oct 23	Can infectious animal diseases be studied safely in Kansas? NO

Thursday Oct 25	Do cell phones cause cancer? YES	Read Issue 8

Tuesday Oct 30	Do cell phones cause cancer? NO

Thursday Nov 1	Should DDT be banned worldwide? YES	Read Issue 9 Paper #5: Research Issue 9 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Tuesday Nov 6	Should DDT be banned worldwide? NO

Thursday Nov 8	Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? YES	Read Issue 11

Tuesday Nov 13	Are genetically modified foods safe to eat? NO

Thursday Nov 15	Are we doing enough to protect Earth from asteroid impacts? YES	Read Issue 12 Paper #6: Research Issue 12 to find more recent material, and defend one side of the Issue.

Tuesday Nov 20	Are we doing enough to protect Earth from asteroid impacts? NO

Wed Nov 21 -- Fri Nov 23	THANKSGIVING VACATION

Tuesday Nov 28	Can computers be conscious? YES	Read Issue 15

Thursday Nov 30	Can computers be conscious? NO	Start working on your final paper NOW! Choose a specific technology and use it to discuss how society views and deals with risks in the context of this technology. 10-15 pages, and don't forget the need for references.

Tuesday Dec 4	Are animal rights activists terrorists?	Read Issue 18

Thursday Dec 6	Should we reject transhumanism?	Read Issue 19

Monday Dec 10	FINAL EXAMS BEGIN

Syllabus last modified April 4, 2012