AGRI
1005 (Call
#0132): Science and Society
Tues & Thurs, 1:40-3:00, Lockett Hall B5, Spring 2006, 3 credit hours
Professors:
Dorothy Prowell
B.S. & Ph.D. Degrees in Zoology,
LSU Entomology Professor, 21 years
Annex of
Office Phone: 225-578-1820
Home Phone: 225-387-0867
Email: sbdprowe@lsu.edu
Office Hours: Tues. 3:00-4:00 or by appointment
Jim Ottea
B.S. in Biology & M.S. in Entomology,
Ph.D. in Entomology,
LSU Entomology Professor, 15 years
Annex of
Office Phone: 225-578-1841
Home Phone: 225-381-8130
Email:sbjottea@lsu.edu
Office Hours: Tues 9- 10 AM or by appointment
Text
& Supplies: Biology
Today - An Issues Approach, Third Edition, by Eli C. Minkoff & Pamela
J. Baker, Garland Publishing, New York, NY ($79.95 new, $60 used at LSU
Bookstore). The publisher has a
web site specifically devoted to this particular text (http://www.classwire.com/garlandscience/).
Course Objectives: The goal of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of fundamental biological concepts in the context of contemporary issues facing society today. Upon completion of the course you should: (1) have an appreciation for the importance of biology in your everyday life; (2) understand general biological concepts associated with different levels of organization from DNA to whole organisms to ecosystems; and (3) have an understanding of how science interacts with and shapes public policy, and affects society at large.
Course
Rationale: This course is
aimed at freshman, sophomores, and others who have not been exposed to college
level science courses. For many of
you, the course will be the only exposure you get to biology.
An understanding of the topics covered will enhance your ability to
understand and make informed decisions throughout your lives.
Issues concerned with science and biology constitute a significant
portion of new laws voted on by Congress, so you’ll benefit from having more
than a high school understanding of the subject.
Teaching Philosophy & Course Structure: Our teaching philosophy and approach incorporate active learning. Much of the first exposure to concepts is gained through readings outside of class. Discussions and interaction during class facilitate processing of material to enhance retention. We have designed this course to include discussions along with lectures. We assume that you are motivated to learn the material, that you will read material that is assigned (e.g., portions of the text and outside readings), and that you will participate in discussions. We will lecture during the first 40 - 60 minutes of class. The last 20 -30 minutes of most classes will be devoted to discussions.
Semester Book
& Class Notes: This
course is on Semester Book, which you can access using your PAWS account under
“Student Services”. Weekly
reading assignments, lecture outlines, written assignments, and many other
important components of the course will be posted on Semester Book.
Check Semester Book regularly
and consider printing out lecture outlines for note taking during class.
Semester Book has several useful features.
Email and communication functions let us contact you individually or as
a class, and you can use Semester Book to contact us.
We will inform you of your grades on each exam through Semester Book,
and you can determine your grade prospects using the “calculate projected
final grade function”.
Exams:
Exams will be multiple choice. To
take the exam, you must present a current LSU photo I.D.
No student will be allowed to enter the exam room with the intention of
taking the exam after the first person has left the exam.
There will be three exams during the course of the semester, and the
final exam. You will be permitted
to drop the grade of one of the three exams, but all students will be required
to take the final.
IMPORTANT: There are no make-up exams. If a student fails to take an exam for any reason, the missed exam will constitute that student’s dropped grade. Students missing more than one exam will receive a zero as their grade for one of the missed exams.
Grading and Evaluation: The grading system is based on exams, class participation, and written assignments. 55% of your grade is based on 3 exams (including the final), 22% is based on participation, and 23% is based on written assignments according to the following point system:
Semester Exams (3 exams, one dropped) 200
Final Exam (comprehensive)
100 pts
Pop Quizzes (11 quizzes, 1 dropped) 100 pts
Topic Discussions 20 pts
Critical Thinking 15 pts
Film Review 25 pts
News Article 30 pts
Book
Report
60 pts
Total Points 550 pts
Grading Scale:
A = 90- 100%; B = 80- 89%; C = 70- 79%; D = 60- 69%; F = < 59%
Written Assignments (130 points total; 24%): There are four written assignments that will be due throughout the semester. There is a 10 % penalty for every day assignments are late.
Give your opinion about the relationship between science and society. Include your thoughts on the role of scientists in shaping public policy. For example, science indicates that acid rain, produced by industrial pollution, kills trees in forests. Is it the responsibility of the government to regulate pollution to minimize acid rain? Comment on the difficulties or problems associated with using scientific data to institute laws. Give an example where science has lead to government regulation. Give an example where laws counter or ignore scientific findings. Your write-up should not exceed one page.
(Note: Do NOT use this example (acid rain) for your paper. Choose a different one.)
Select, view, and provide a critique (instructions on
Semester Book) on one film from the following listing:
1. Gattaca (1997) Andrew Nichol, Director
2. Gorillas In The Mist (1988) Michael Apted, Director
3.
Inherit
The Wind (1960)
4. Medicine Man (1992) John McTiernan, Director
5. Outbreak (1995) Wolfgang Petersen, Director
6.
The
Boys From
7. Supersize me (2004) Morgan Spurlock, Director
8. Andromeda Strain (1971) Robert Wise, Director
Turn in a one page write up on an item relevant to a topic in Science and Society from the news media. News media sources such as a newspaper (i.e., NY Times or BR Advocate), news magazine (Time, Newsweek, Scientific American) or online sources are acceptable. Students should 1) present a very short synopsis of the issue (attach the article to your write up), 2) explain the relevance of the article to Science and Society topic, 3) do some detective work (web or books) and present an alternative viewpoint if one exists, 4) assess the articles reliability (who is the authority on the issue? Is it a primary or secondary source? Is it opinion or fact?), 5) state whether you agree with the claims being made or arguments presented and why.
Instructions for Book Reports are located on Semester Book. Book choices are:
2.
Silent
Spring (1962, yes the date is correct; this really is a classic!).
R. Carson. Penguin Modern Classics.
3.
The
Future of Life (2002). E.
O. Wilson. Alfred A. Knopf
Publishing, NY.
4.
The
End of Nature (1990) B. McKibben, Knopf
Publishing Group
5.
Bayou
Farewell: The Rich Life and Tragic Death of
6.
Cantor’s
Dilemma (1991). C. Djerassi, Penguin
Group (
7.
Sand
8.
Self
Portrait With Turtles (2004) David M. Carroll, Houghton Mifflin
Company.
9.
State
of
10.
The
Double Helix (1968) James D. Watson, Atheneum Publishers
11.
12.
Selfish
Gene (1976) Richard Dawkins,
Some Additional Things:
Study
Hints - Lectures are prepared on the assumption that you have read the
assigned material before class. As
a general rule, in a college class you should plan to spend at least 3 hours
studying for every hour of class. Repeated
exposure to materials is the key to successful learning, as opposed to
cramming. The following strategy
will help you succeed in this class:
(a) Before class, read assigned text material to familiarize yourself in a general way. Look at the figures in the text, and think about what you have read.
(b) Come to class and take good notes.
(c) On the same day, after class, read over your notes and edit them.
(d) Re-read the assigned material, now paying attention to detail and concentrating on what was emphasized in class. Study figures to help you develop mental images of concepts. Modify your lecture notes as you read. Learn the concepts first, then apply terminology. Draw pictures/diagrams to illustrate concepts. Read a few paragraphs or a section, then paraphrase what it was about or the main conclusions. Answering questions at the end of each chapter BEFORE looking up the answers will help with retention of material.
(e) After studying the material thoroughly, come see us if you have unresolved questions. We are happy to help. Do not wait until the day before the exam to do this.
(f) If you study this way, your edited notes will form an excellent tool for preparing for exams.
(g)
The
Honesty:
We encourage working together with your classmates.
When required, however, you are expected to do your own work.
No assignment can have more than 5% of the material presented as direct
quotations (i.e., other people’s ideas and work).
Students suspected of cheating will be reported to the Dean of Students
and dealt with according to LSU policies.
If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism and cheating,
consult the Student Code of Conduct (http://mba.lsu.edu/pdf/CodeOfConduct.pdf)
Ground Rules for Behavior in Class: Show some respect to your fellow classmates.
-Cell phones off during class (if yours rings, you lose 5 points).
-No talking to classmates unless instructed to do so (we won’t be shy about asking you to stop).
-Come to class on time and stay until the end. In return, we promise to let you out on time.
-We love seeing you in class! We won’t take attendance, but frequent pop quizzes (11 in all; some at the end of class) will comprise almost 20% of your grade.
-
Be civil. Meaningful and
constructive dialogue is encouraged in this class and requires a degree of
mutual respect, willingness to listen, and tolerance of opposing points of
view. Respect for individual
differences and alternative viewpoints will be maintained at all times in this
class. One’s words and use of
language should be temperate and within acceptable bounds of civility and
decency. In general, the
more firmly you plant your feet and aggressively argue your point, so do those
with opposing views. Friendly
persuasion wins friends and influences people.
Disabilities: Students with disabilities are advised to register with the Office of Disability Services B112 Johnston Hall, 578-5919 (voice) or 578-2600 (TDD), and to share, in writing, any specific needs with instructors.
Schedule of Topics, Lectures, Exams and Assignments (Subject to Change)
|
Lecture Number |
Date |
Topic |
Principal Reading Assignments Check semester book for additional readings |
|
|
Jan
17 |
Course
Overview |
|
|
1 |
Jan
19 |
Biology:
Science and Ethics - Ottea |
BT
Chapter 1 Critical
Thinking Assignment Due |
|
2 |
Jan
24 |
Genes,
Chromosomes, and DNA - Prowell |
BT
Chapter 2 |
|
3 |
Jan 26 |
Human Genetics - Prowell |
BT Chapter 3 |
|
4 |
Jan 31 |
Origin and Evolution of Life I- Prowell |
BT Chapter 5 |
|
5 |
Feb 2 |
Origin and Evolution of Life II-
Prowell |
|
|
|
Feb 7 |
Evolution Film- Prowell |
|
|
|
Feb 9 |
Exam
1 |
|
|
6 |
Feb 14 |
Human Variation- Prowell |
BT Chapter 7 |
|
7 |
Feb 16 |
Sociobiology - Prowell |
BT
Chapter 8 |
|
8 |
Feb 21 |
Genetic
Engineering & Genomics - Ottea |
BT Chapter 4 |
|
|
Feb 23 |
Movie
Discussion |
Film
Critique Due |
|
|
Feb 28 |
Mardi Gras |
|
|
9 |
Mar 2 |
Nutrition
and Health I - Ottea |
BT Chapter 10 |
|
10 |
Mar 7 |
Nutrition
and Health II - Ottea |
|
|
|
Mar 9 |
Exam
2 |
|
|
11 |
Mar
14 |
Stem
Cells, Cell Division - Ottea |
BT
Chapter 12 |
|
12 |
Mar
16 |
Cancer
- Ottea |
|
|
13 |
Mar
21 |
HIV,
AIDS, & New Infectious Threats - Ottea |
Chapters
16/17 |
|
14 |
Mar
23 |
The
Nervous System & Senses -
Ottea |
BT
Chapter 13 |
|
15 |
Mar
28 |
Drugs
and Addiction - Ottea |
BT
Chapter 14 |
|
16 |
Mar
30 |
Mind
and Body - Ottea |
BT
Chapter 15 |
|
|
Apr
4 |
Exam
3 |
News
Article Assignment Due |
|
|
Apr
6 |
Discussion
of News Item |
|
|
|
Apr
11/13 |
Spring
Break |
|
|
17 |
Apr
18 |
Population
Explosion - Prowell |
BT
Chapter 9 |
|
18 |
Apr
20 |
Biodiversity
and Threatened Habitats - Ferro |
BT
Chapter 18 |
|
19 |
Apr
25 |
Protecting
the Biosphere - Prowell |
BT
Chapter 19 |
|
20 |
Apr
27 |
Energy,
Climate Change & Other Immerging Issues -
Prowell |
Book
Report Due |
|
|
May
2 |
Book
Discussions / SPOT Evaluations |
|
|
21 |
May
4 |
Makeup
Day or Student’s Choice |
Topic
Discussions Due |
|
|
May
8 |
Final
Exam 5:30-7:30PM |
Comprehensive– Study
Everything! |