Readings:
Carson, Rachel. Silent spring. Houghton Mifflin Co.
Lowman, Margaret. 1999. Life in the treetops. New Haven, CT: Yale Univ. Press.
Margulis, Lynn. 1998. Symbiotic planet. New York: Basic Books.
Rossiter, Margaret. 1984. Women scientists in America: Struggles and strategies to 1940. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Shiva, Vandana. 1997. Biopiracy. Boston, MA: South End Press.
Course description:
This course examines the historical roots of scientific thought, the development and limitations of scientific methodology, and the contributions of women in science and technology throughout history. Students will consider the effects of institutions, work, family and mentors on the development of women in science and technology. For the laboratory, students will examine the inherent biases of scientific methodology, rethink laboratory experiments using a non-traditional approach, examine and recreate experiments undertaken by women throughout history, and develop, research, conduct and present experiments of interest to each individual class.
Goals of the course:
· What is the paradigm of western science? How does that paradigm influence how science is done and who does it? Who is credited with doing science? What is the relationship between the scientific paradigm and the institutions that train scientists and conduct research? How are our answers relevant to everyday life?
· What is the standard scientific methodology? What does it have to offer? What are its limitations? It is affected by gender? If so, how?
· Who are some prominent women scientists and what were there experiences and contributions? To what extent were those experiences shaped by their gender? What other factors affected their work and lives?
· What institutional barriers have existed (and do exist) that present obstacles for women's achievement in science? Have they changed? If so, how? What is the situation now?
· What is your relationship to science? To what to you attribute this relationship? What ideas, feelings and values do you bring to our work in science and our work discussing issues of gender and science?
Schedule: Week 1:
Introductions, group contract.
Introduction to Women in science - video and discussion.
What is science? (culture, research) - Science magazine.
Journal making.
Week 2, 3:
A brief history of western science.
Where are we now - look at the statistics.
Women scientists in America - Who were they?
Institutional obstacles and progress - How did we get here?
How gender shapes scientific ideas: flower sexuality and mammals. Readings:
Shepherd, Linda Jean. Veiling the feminine face of science.
Rossiter, Margaret. Women scientists in America: Struggles and strategies to 1940. Career patterns of women and men in the sciences.
Handouts from Nature's body. Labs: Scientific method (gum, seed germination)
Linneaus and flower anatomy
Astronomy - sky lab
Winter bud and bark identification of trees
Video: The burning times
Weeks 4, 5:
The story of Lynn Margulis.
Symbiosis - a new evolutionary paradigm.
History of life on earth.
Gaia hypothesis. Reading:
Margulis, Lynn. Symbiotic planet. Labs: Cells, 5 kingdoms
Bacteria rule the earth
Time activity
Week 6:
The "discovery of DNA" - Rosalind Franklin.
Barbara McClintock - a feeling for the organism.
DNA and jumping genes. Reading:
Handout Lab: DNA extraction from banana
Microscopes and chromosome squashes
Week 7:
Genetic engineering and gender. Reading:
Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy
Weeks 8, 9:
The story of Lynn Margulis.
Symbiosis - a new evolutionary paradigm.
History of life on earth.
Gaia hypothesis. Reading:
Margulis, Lynn. Symbiotic planet. Labs: Cells, 5 kingdoms
Powers of Ten activity
The Green River- preview of ecology to come
Week 10:
Quiz on Symbiotic planet and related concepts.
DNA basics - a background for genetics.
The "discovery of DNA" - Rosalind Franklin.
Barbara McClintock - a feeling for the organism. Reading:
Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy. Lab: DNA extraction from banana
Microscopes and chromosomes
Week 11:
Genetic engineering and gender. Reading:
Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy.
Weeks 12, 13:
Ecology and field biology.
Women creating environmental movement. Readings:
** Carson, Rachel. Silent spring.**
Handout
[Lowman, Margaret. Life in the treetops - time permitting] Labs: [Health of the Green River cont.]
Tree transect behind GCC
Leaf ID
Food Webs
Week 14: Review, make ups, schedule adjustment. Reading:
Article: Gender career patterns in science.
