Beth Johnson

COR 401 Science & Human Nature: Biological Sciences

Fall 2004

Texts:     Dawkins, R. (1989).  The Selfish Gene

                Watson, J. D. (1968). The Double Helix

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Recommended for non-science majors: Gonick, L. & Wheelis, M. (1991). The Cartoon Guide to Genetics.

Additional readings will be provided. Please purchase a 3-ring binder for these materials.

Course Description: This course will explore the scientific method and the application of evolutionary theory to the study of humans as biological and psychological beings. We will discuss Darwinian natural selection and the basics of heredity. Readings from original papers in these fields will guide the discussion.  By the end of the course you should have an appreciation for the scientific method and the theory of Evolution as the unifying theory of the biological sciences.

Learning Objectives:

Skills

1. Become intelligent consumers of science; be able to recognize basic research designs when reading secondary sources and ask questions about how data were collected.

2. Develop critical thinking skills – become a skeptic!

3. Use databases to conduct a successful literature search on a scientific topic

4. Present information in a scientific format (15 min oral presentation)

5. Continue to develop writing skills

Content

1. Acquire an understanding of evolution as the unifying theory of the biological sciences

2. Become familiar with the evidence for evolution

3. Understand that science is a cumulative and self-correcting process, that it is tentative, and that it is a human endeavor

4. Understand the difference between science and other ways of knowing

5. Appreciate the role of science in society

Attendance Policy: Discussion of the readings will be the major component of this course, therefore you are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. During the semester you may get sick, stuck in traffic, have family emergencies, and broken alarm clocks. Heck, you may just decide to stay outside and play frisbee. For all of these reasons you are allowed to miss 6 days of class, no questions asked (and don't tell me why because it just doesn't matter.) This is an extremely liberal attendance policy so it also includes your first two University excused absences. For every absence beyond six your final grade will be lowered one half a grade (i.e. a B will become a B-).

Participation: In the past I had an intricate policy regarding participation and how it affected your grade. The policy grew out of my scientific side and need to quantify behavior so you would know exactly how your grade was computed and there would be no room for bias on my part. As it turns out this policy required a lot of bookkeeping and students did not always appreciate my keeping such detailed accounts of their class performance. So from now on just show up and take part in the discussion and I’ll be happy. If not, I might knock your grade down a few notches, maybe, it will depend on my mood that day. I will make a habit of calling on everyone in the class on most days so it is best to have completed the reading and answered the discussion questions each day. We will also have a few short assignments, for example, questions to answer while watching a video. These do not have points assigned to them but are related to exam material and completing them will be considered part of your class participation.

Policy on electronic submission of assignments: I welcome having you e-mail any assignments to me. I will reply to your e-mail as soon as I receive the document. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail you must bring a hard copy of any assignment to class on the due date. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on due dates and will be penalized for each day late (this includes weekends). They will also be considered late on the due date if handed in after the start of class.

Honor Code: I take the OU Honor Code and academic honesty very seriously. I assume that at this point in your academic career you know what constitutes plagiarism (for example paraphrasing without citing your source is plagiarism.) If you have questions about this ask me prior to handing in an assignment. I expect you to do all of your own work in this class (outside of the team presentations) this includes not copying your roommate's answers to the reading questions.

Grading:    

The policies and schedule on this syllabus are subject to change. I reserve the right to deal with problems or unusual circumstances, when they arise, as I see fit.

Tentative Schedule

This schedule, including exam dates, will likely change. You will know final exam dates at least one week prior to the exam.