SHS 210: Research Revolution
 Spring 2006
   

Instructors   Ms. Sue Cody  Dr. Diane Melroy
Office 1046A Randall Library  313 Friday Hall
Office Hours M 1-2, W 11-12,
reference desk W 1-3		 11-12 TR
Phone   962-7409  962-7640
e-mail codys@uncw.edu  melroyd@uncw.edu
Course webpage   http://people.uncw.edu/melroyd/

Course Description  
   This course provides an introduction to the interrelationships among science, technology, the humanities and society.  Topics will include impact of science and technology on society, humanistic assessment of science, and historical and contemporary issues. This course will focus on watershed advances in science, from physics to biology, that have controversial implications for society, and is based on a series of documentary films and associated readings. Students will discuss and write about these topics in class.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will appreciate what science is, what scientists do, and how that affects civilization.
  2. Students will become aware of scientific concerns and their implications facing citizens and consumers; they will be able to get and understand the facts needed to make informed personal and public policy decisions.  
  3. Students will prepare for future employment by developing skills in problem-solving; information retrieval, use, and analysis; and productive participation in working groups.  
  4. Students will develop an interest in science and its implications that will stimulate lifelong learning.

Students with Disabilities   We are happy to make accommodations for students with disabilities. Students should first contact the Office of Disability Services (3746). After obtaining your referral from the Office of Disability Services, please discuss your situation in person with us.

Emergency Weather   If at any time you do not feel that you can come to school safely, do not come. Your life, health, and personal property are more important than attendance at any particular class meeting. Anything due that day will be gladly accepted when the emergency situation is over. However, class will be held when the University is open, so you must be prepared to make up material if you miss class.  University closings will be announced on the main university webpage, http://www.uncw.edu/, as well as on the emergency hotline, 962-3991.

Academic Honesty Policy   Plagiarism, or the copying of written text without proper citation, will result in a grade of 0 for the work in which the plagiarism occurs.  Other cheating will be dealt with by consequences ranging from failure of the individual piece to failure of the course.

Required Texts
   Readings will be available on-line or on electronic reserve. Click here for instructions on how to access electronic reserve readings.
   Click here for a complete list of readings.


Grading

Introductory writing assignment   10 pts
NY Times article/presentation   25 pts
Short paper   50 pts (5 for topic, 5 for bibliography, 40 for paper itself)
Class participation 135 pts*
Midterm 100 pts
Final 100 pts
Film project   75 pts

*point total modified to include points for video days

   Grades will be assigned as follows: 91.5% or more, A; 89.5-91.4%, A-; 87.5-89.4, B+; 81.5-87.4, B; 79.5-81.4%, B-; 77.5-79.4, C+; 71.5-77.4, C; 69.5-71.4%, C-; 67.5-69.4, D+; 61.5-67.4, D; 59.5-61.4%, D-; below 59.5, F 

GRADEBOOK
updated 4/17

Assignments
 NY Times article : find an article in the science section (in Tuesday's papers) of interest to you, and write a one page reaction, including a short summary and how you think this piece of research affects or will affect society.  Be prepared to discuss your reaction with the class.  due January 23.

Short paper: Select any topic covered by the films, and write a 3-5 page paper discussing the science and its impact on society.  Choose one area within the general topic to elaborate on.  You will be expected to cite at least 5 sources; at least 3 from books or journals.  The remaining two can be from reputable websites.  Papers are due on March 22.

Class participation: click here for the consensus on grading participation.

Midterm and final will be essay style.  Questions will be posted before the test days.

Film project: Find one or more feature films or a popular TV show which has dealt with one of the scientific topics from the course.  Select one or several short clips to show to the class, and then discuss/explain how the topic is dealt with in the popular media. Include questions like:  is the science accurate or biased, what societal issues are highlighted, what reactions does it inspire in the viewer, and what impacts has it had or might it have on our culture.  It may be helpful to look for reviews and/or scholarly critiques of the movie. More information will be provided on key resources to assist you in this. 
  The presentation should be about 15 minutes long with no more than 5 minutes of film clip.
  After you select your film, it is your responsibility to see that a copy is available at the correct time, but we will do what we can to help you.

Films already chosen

Make-up for an excused missed discussion day: you must write up a critique of the reading assignment for the day missed.  A minimum of 2 pages is expected.  Absences in excess of 3 will adversely affect your grade.

TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR