PHILOSOPHY 222
Science,
Technology, and Human Affairs
Dr.
Robert
Winter Term, 2012
Office
& Communication:
CC 273, phone: 563-1252. E-mail: scott_stewart@cbu.ca
Office
Hours: Tuesdays
& Thursdays
1-3:30; by appointment, or drop by.
Assignments:
Each term’s grade will count for 50% of your final grade. The grade for the
fall term will be determined by three tests, all of which will count equally for
your term grade:
Test
1: Tuesday,
February 27
Test
2:
Tuesday, March 27
Essay assignment
The test
will typically consist of some combination of objective questions
(fill in the blanks, etc.), short essays (of a paragraph or two) and long essays
(between 4 & 5 pages). To help you prepare for the long essay on tests and
the exam, I’ll provide you with study questions in advance.
As you
may have noticed, there is no grade for 'class participation' (nor is class
attendance required in this course). You should not infer from
this either that such participation is unimportant, or that you will have little
or no opportunity to participate -- either by comments or questions -- during
class time. Indeed, past experience has shown: (1) you will enjoy the course
much more if you come to class regularly and participate while there, and (2)
your grade will be higher if you do so.
PLEASE
NOTE:
(1)
For some, this can be a conceptually difficult course. If I have covered
something in class, or in your reading, that you do not understand, ask a
question in class and/or come to see me: do not let things slide by.
(2) Make
up tests will be given only under special circumstances and with my prior
knowledge. If you must miss a test, for a legitimate reason, at the very least,
you must leave a voice or e-mail message with me prior to the test and be
prepared to provide written documentation (e.g., a doctor’s note) before
writing a make-up assignment.
(3)
Writing skills are an important part of any course in University. Therefore, the
grades for your examinations and for your assignments will take account both of
the ideas you present and the manner in which you present your
ideas, i.e., you will be graded on both content and form.
Unfortunately, some of you may suffer from reading and writing problems.
There are services on campus to help you overcome this, specifically, the Writing Centre. Make use of these
services.
(4)
There will be NO supplementary examination(s) in this course.
(5)
Please make yourself aware of CBU’s policies regarding various forms of
academic dishonestly by reading the relevant sections of the CBU calendar.
Tentative Course Outline:
1
Lamarck and the Theory of the Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
The Blind Watchmaker
There’s no Need to Choose Between Evolution and Creation
4
2.
Biology, Psychology and the Question of Freedom
Behaviorism and Freedom
3. Science, Race, Sex, and Behaviour
Sapolsky,
“Genetic Hyping”
Thornhill & Palmer,
“Why Men Rape”
Murray & Herrstein,
The Bell Curve
(excerpts)
National Institutes of Health, “The
Ventner, “We are all virtually identical Twins”
Virginia Held, "Feminism and
Epistemology"
7
5.
Research Ethics: The Misuse of Humans in Scientific
Experimentation
Tri-council Policy Statement, “Ethical conduct for research
involving humans”
8
6.
Research Ethics: The Use and/or Abuse of Non-human
Animals in Research
Richard Smith, “Animal Research: The Need for a Middle Ground”
9
7. Reconstructing Humans: Science, Depression, and
Happiness
Kramer, “Makeover” from Listening to Prozac
Elliott, “The Tyranny of Happiness”
Stewart, “Hacking the Blues...”
10
8.
Reconstructing
Humans: Surgical 'Beauty
Figueroa,
“Self Esteem and
Cosmetic Surgery”
Wikipedia, “Labiaplasty” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labiaplasty
Martha Nussbaum, “Female Genital Mutilation”
R.S. Stewart, Female Genital Mutilation
2 9. Reconstructing Humans: Sexuality and Psychopharmacology
Readings: Stewart, “Sexology: A Brief History”
Stewart, “Constructing Aberrant Behaviour…”
Liz Canner, Orgasm, Inc. (a film)
R.S. Stewart, “Female orgasm”