HSP 124 Great Issues in Science
Dr. Lisa Lewis
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Noon - 1:00pm
Observatory

What is science? In this course, we will examine the Greek’s discovery of science and use historical and philosophical literature to understand the nature and practice of science. The value of and limits of the scientific method’s use as a tool to derive, describe and interpret natural phenomena will be explored in the context of science fiction literature and in contemporary issues such as the role of women in science, evolution vs. creationism vs. intelligent design, stem cell research, and risk assessment.

The class will be a discussion-based seminar format with a very strong emphasis on verbal participation and many opportunities for student-lead discussion. There will be several short papers (5-6 pages in length) and a final project of the student’s choosing.

Possible readings include:

“What is Science?” by Ernst Mayer
“Science: Conjectures and Refutations” by Karl Popper
“The Contribution of the Greeks to Science,” Chapter 9, Chemical Structure and Equilibrium by Daniel Steffenson
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn
Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life by Stephen J. Gould
Our Final Hour by Martin Rees
Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud by Robert Park
“Feminist Methodologies for the Natural Sciences” by Sue Rosser
Oxygen by Carl Djerassi and Roald Hoffman
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.