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Academic Year 2000/2001

Scientific Method
CHEM 150 FA

This course offers a critical inquiry into scientific thought, including the perspectives of Wesleyan faculty with expertise in science issues. Beginning with an overview of the intellectual foundations of scientific method in the 17th century, the course will cover the contributions of Bacon, Descartes, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Pascal and others, plus the current influence of contemporary thinkers such as Ayer and Popper. Topics will be chosen from the relativity theory, quantum mechanics and the uncertainty principle, the big bang theory of the origin of the universe, the DNA double helix, Darwin's natural selection, and entropy, disorder and chaos theory. Current research on the biology of AIDS and such controversial issues as polywater and cold fusion will help to illustrate how scientific method validates knowledge and corrects for mistakes.

MAJOR READINGS

Two course packets plus selected readings in: WHAT ARE CULTURAL STUDIES OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE?, J. Rouse
CHAOS BOUND, N.K. Hayles
WHOSE SCIENCE? WHOSE KNOWLEDGE?, S. Harding THE DEATH OF NATURE: WOMEN, ECOLOGY & THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION, C. Merchant

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three 10-20 page papers plus final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This First-Year Initiative course will be held concurrently with CHEM350, with the addition of a weekly workshop session, time and day to be arranged, for first year students.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM CHEM    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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