Instructor: Dorothy Raffel
CHSS 200
Fall 2009
M/W 1:30 - 2:20 IN 134
Office: Robinson A112C
Phone 993-1204
draffel@gmu.edu
Office hours: T 10:30 - 11:30
In CHSS 200 you will be exposed to several applications/arguments of science to society. You will investigate this connection through readings, through course discussion and student presentations, and through presentations (yours and other presentations). This class will help you decide on your course work for the minor in science and society. Also CHSS 200 will help you prepare for the required work in CHSS 400, the capstone course for the minor in science and society.
All work will be submitted on the date and at the time I state. I will not accept assignments submitted after the due date and time for grading or credit. If you are having trouble with an assignment, ask me for help before the due date.
It is a GMU requirement that you must send any messages about classwork or school matters to me from your GMU email account or I can't respond to your message.
Read paraphrasing and plagiarizing, important registrar dates, GMU office of disability services, GMU general education mission statement and responsible computing use. If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations, please email me and contact the Office of Disability Services at 703 993-2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
Textbooks:
Note that although you may consult Wikipedia for basic background information the same way you would read an entry in any encyclopedia, you may not include wikipedia.com on your list of references. Read these comments about appropriate Wikipedia use by the founder of Wikipedia.
| Grading: | Essay test on outside speaker presentations and readings | 20% |
| Science minor proposal and minor courses plan | 20% | |
| Annotated bibliography | 15% | |
| Student-selected readings | 15% | |
| Reaction papers about guest presentations | 15% | |
| Class blog (in Blackboard) participation Note that you must be in class, participating in class in the in-class discussions, to receive credit for completing the follow-up Blackboard postings. |
15% |
| DAY | DATE | CLASS DISCUSSION TOPIC | READINGS/HOMEWORK for NEXT CLASS | |
| Mon. | 8/31 | Introduction | Issues in Science and Technology in GMU library, GMU library online e-journal, and The Challenge for the Obama Administration Science Team |
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| Wed. | 9/2 | The place of science, technology, and government in society politics |
Environment California click on Hydrogen-Report.pdf. Read report |
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| Mon. | 9/7 | No class | ||
| Wed. | 9/9 | The environment hydrogen/fossil fuels, cars |
Retail hydrogen fuel stations for cars assignment in Blackboard A Concise Guide to the Major Internet Bodies |
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| Mon. | 9/14 | Who is in charge of the Internet? | Privacy assignment in Blackboard Impacts of Mass Digitization Projects on Libraries and Information Policy |
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| Wed. | 9/16 | Digitize libraries? | Digitizing books? assignment in Blackboard You will find current readings about cell phones and health |
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| Mon. | 9/21 | Health--cell phones | Cell phones and cancer assignment in Blackboard AAAS Science education issues slide show |
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| Wed. | 9/23 | Science education | Physics Today, April 1981, "E Pluribus Boojum" GMU library online e-journal and read Lewis Carroll's "Hunting of the Snark" Genetically Modified Foods Issues |
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| Mon. | 9/28 | Genetically modified food | Genetically modified food assignment in Blackboard Learn about Virgin Galactic and other commercial space travel ventures Government spending for space exploration |
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| Wed. | 9/30 | Space exploration fact | Be prepared to tell us about your favorite space fiction | |
| Mon. | 10/5 | Manned/other space travel fiction | Space travel assignment in Blackboard Issues in nanotechnology. Read issues I - V | |
| Wed. | 10/7 | Nanotechnology | Nanotechnology applications assignment in Blackboard Students' choice |
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| Mon. | 10/12 | no class | ||
| Wed. | 10/14 | Student presentations | Students' choice | |
| Mon. | 10/19 | Student presentations | from buzzle.com and Colony Collapse Disorder possible cure |
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| Wed. | 10/21 | Outside speaker Disappearing bees |
Addiction: Dis-ease over diseased brains at Addiction: Dis-ease over diseased brains Click on Show Transcript |
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| Mon. | 10/26 | Outside speaker Addiction |
You will find current articles about investing, computers, technology, speed, inside information, and possible scams | |
| Wed. | 10/28 | Outside speaker Technology and investing | robotics competition | |
| Mon. | 11/2 | Outside speaker: Robots |
The Pew Research Center Election 2006 Online at Election 2006 Online and Politics and the English Language, George Orwell and click on one of the external links to the essay at the bottom of the page |
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| Wed. | 11/4 | Outside speaker: Technology, writing, elections |
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| Mon. | 11/9 | Essay test on outside presentations and readings |
Start in class, finish at home | |
| Wed. | 11/11 | Essay test DUE Panel discussion preparation | ||
| Mon. | 11/16 | Student Panel discussion Physics of Star Trek |
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| Wed. | 11/18 | Student panel discussion Physics of Christmas |
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| Mon. | 11/23 | Student panel discussion Physics of Sports |
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| Wed. | 11/25 | No class | ||
| Mon. | 11/30 | Student presentations workshop | ||
| Wed. | 12/2 | Student major/minor courses presentations | ||
| Mon. | 12/7 | Student major/minor courses presentations | ||
| Wed. | 12/9 | Student major/minor courses presentations |
Return to Dorothy Raffel's Fall schedule.