Code:  HUMN 230                                          Title:       Women & Science

 

Division:     Humanities                                  Department: 

 

Course Description:  This course provides an interdisciplinary examination of womenÕs relationship to the natural sciences, mathematics, and technology.  The social construction of gender and race will be examined along with a feminist critique of science.  The history of women in science and the experiences of contemporary women scientists will be included along with the impact of science and technology on womenÕs lives.  Course materials include case studies, autobiographical narratives, and films as well as theory and sociological analysis. 

  

 

Prerequisites:  ENGL 121

 

Corequisites:  

 

Credits:        3                                   Lecture Credits:       3           Lab Credits:  0

 

Lab Hours:    0

 

 

 

Required Materials:  

Maddox, Brenda.  Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA, HarperCollins Publishers, 2002. (Paperback: ISBN 0-06-098508-9.)

 

Course-pack of readings (CP)

 

 

Additional Time Requirements:

(Identify open lab or other lab requirements)

 

Intended Course Learning Outcomes/Course Goals (Core Competencies):

á       Students will understand and explain bio-essentialism and the social construction of gender and race; they will identify and analyze historical and societal issues that have contributed to fewer women engaging in science, engineering and technology.  (Historical/Societal Analysis Core Competency)

á       Students will describe and express awareness of the contributions of women to science and technology and the role of women in science historically and up to the present time, through written journals and verbal communication in the classroom. (Communication Core Competency)

á       Students will analyze the uses of the word ÒfeminismÓ from historical to contemporary times, and different feminist critiques of science. (Critical Thinking Core Competency)

á       Students will evaluate how gender issues shaped their choice of SEM* careers or instead, their choice not to pursue SEM careers. (Critical Thinking Core Competency)

á       Students will interview a contemporary woman working in a non-traditional career and write an analysis, focused on the gender issues studied in the course, of her life from early childhood to the present. They will also orally report their analysis to the class. (Communication and Critical Thinking Core Competencies)

á       Students will use the technology available at Brookdale for word-processing, email, and use of the internet to find sources for both research and activism. (Technological Literacy Core Competency)

*SEM (Science, Engineering, Mathematics)

 

Unit Topics and/or Unit Outcome (Objectives):               Optional

e.g. identify, analyze, memorize

 

Grading Standard: 

In this course, students will be evaluated by means of class participation, journal writing and papers, a mid-term and a final test. Your grade will be a weighted average determined as follows:

Class participation                  15%                                                    

Journals                                  20%

Rosalind Franklin paper          20%

Mid-Term Test                        10%

Personal Reflection paper      10%

Interview                                 10%

Final Test                                15%

 

If your average is

90 – 100                                  A

87 – 89                                    B+

80 – 86                                    B

77 – 79                                    C+

70 – 76                                    C

60 – 69                                    D

Below 60                                 F

                                                                                   

Note:  All writing assignments must be completed in order to pass this course.  If you are absent for 4 (or more) classes, your final grade cannot be higher than a C.

 

Class participation

Although this class will include informal lectures, its primary format is group discussion.  The quality of the class depends upon the preparation and contribution of individual students.  In general, it is up to you to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the required readings.   However, class discussion will be moderated so that everyone will be encouraged to share his or her views.  In addition to your individual class participation, at least twice during the semester you will be asked to team up with other students and take group responsibility for preparing an assigned reading and conducting class discussion.

 

For good class participation, a student should exhibit the following characteristics:

¥     an ability to discuss all required readings;

¥     an ability to integrate information across several sources---to compare and contrast;

¥     a responsiveness to the instructors' questions and the questions of other students;

¥     a willingness to initiate discussion, ask questions, contribute new information, share experiences and reactions;

¥     a capacity for analysis and a willingness to consider new opinions;

¥     a willingness to work in groups and a respect for good group process;

¥     regular attendance and getting to class on time.

 

Class participation grade components:

á       in class comments

á       contribution to team presentations

 

Journal entries

á       You will be asked to keep a journal in which you summarize and analyze the main points of selected reading assignments and in which you give your personal reactions to these reading assignments.  The required length of these journals is:  minimum length, one double-spaced page; maximum length, two to three double-spaced pages.  Formatting: Top and bottom margins, 1 inch; right and left margins, 1.25 inches or 1 inch; use 12 point font.  These journal responses should be specific and focused---indicating not only that you have actually done the reading, but that you have thought about it.  Initially, you will be given specific questions that you can use to stimulate and guide your writing.  Later, you are expected to become self-sufficient.  As the course goes on, you should begin to compare and contrast readings---and suggest questions for discussion and further research.  You should also use your journal to make ongoing comments about the course, including issues raised during discussions and classroom dynamics.   

á       Language:  Spelling, grammar, and punctuation all contribute to the coherence and readability of your journal writing.  Use complete sentences and appropriate paragraphs.  Your first priority is to get your ideas down; secondly, do so as clearly as possible.

á       Format:  Journal entries must be word-processed. If occasionally you are unable to type your journal, a hand-written journal will be accepted, as long as your hand-writing is legible.

 

Rosalind Franklin paper

Five to seven page paper on Rosalind Franklin. The paper must have a theme and be based on the in-class showing of the film, The Race for the Double Helix and the books The Double Helix and Rosalind Franklin The Dark Lady of DNA.

 

Personal Reflection Paper

A two to three page paper which reflects on your own experience of science and science education.

 

Interview

You will conduct an interview with a woman professional who works in science, medicine, engineering, computer science, construction, or upper level of management, etc.  In class, you will work in groups to develop a structured set of interview questions. You will submit a written case study in which you summarize and analyze how the themes we discussed in the course have shaped your intervieweeÕs life and her choices. You will give a short oral report about your interview subject to the class.

 

Tests

There are two tests (a mid-term and a final) in this course. They are given in the classroom, dates announced on the schedule. You are expected to be in class for the tests.

 

Incomplete

INC is only given at the discretion of your instructor. This may occur in documented cases of hardship or emergency. However the student must have completed at least 70% of the course work at the time of the request for incomplete. In this case, you must meet with the instructor to discuss the work that must be completed to earn a grade in the course. All work must be completed within 21 days after the end of the term, exclusive of official college closings.

 

Withdrawal

You may withdraw from the course, without penalty, up to a dated set by the College. If you do not withdraw from the course but stop attending, your grade at the end of the semester will be F.

 

 

Department Policies:

á       Attend every class.

á       Come to class on time, and stay for the entire class period. If you are late or leave during class, you will miss important class material. (See the Student Conduct Code)

á       Turn off your cell phone during class. You and your classmates need to be free from distractions. (See the Student Conduct Code)

á       Participate fully in class.

á       Plagiarism policy:  Refer to the Student Handbook for the formal statement. In general, plagiarism means using another personÕs work without giving them credit. If you use an idea, information, or a quotation from someone elseÕs work, you MUST credit them in your journals and papers. It does not matter where you found the source, whether it be from a book, a magazine, a newspaper, the internet, or anywhere else. This includes paraphrasing (rewriting someone elseÕs ideas in your own words). If you are found to have plagiarized any amount of your written work, you will fail the course.

 

College Policies:

For information regarding:

¬      BrookdaleÕs Academic Integrity Code

¬      Student Conduct Code

¬      Student Grade Appeal Process

 

Please refer to the Student Handbook and BCC Catalog.

 

Notification for Students with Disabilities:

Brookdale Community College offers reasonable accommodations and/or services to persons with disabilities.  Students with disabilities who wish to self-identify, must contact the Disabilities Services Office at 732-224-2730 or 732-842-4211 (TTY), provide appropriate documentation of the disability, and request specific accommodations or services.  If a student qualifies, reasonable accommodations and/or services, which are appropriate for the college level and are recommended in the documentation, can be approved.

 

Additional Support/Labs: 

The Writing Lab is located in LAH 118.  Phone:  732 224-2941.  Website:  http://www.brookdalecc.edu/fac/writing/wlab.html

Hours:  Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm,  Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00am – 2:00 pm