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Academic Year 2003/2004

Science in Context
SISP 105 FA
Crosslistings:
PHIL 105

Philosophical discussions of the aims, norms, and methods of scientific inquiry often proceed in abstraction from the various cultural, institutional, material, or biographical settings within which scientific research is conducted. Recent scholarship suggests that such abstract discussions may miss much of what is at issue and at stake in scientific work and how scientific practices are governed. This course will attempt to situate philosophical discussions of scientific explanation, justification, experimentation, and theory-articulation within more richly articulated historical contexts. Three settings will provide the focus for the course: the "Scientific Revolution" of the 17th Century, especially in Northern Europe; German physics and biology between the First and Second World Wars; and American physics and biology during and after the Second World War.

MAJOR READINGS

Margaret Jacob, THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND THE MAKING OF THE INDUSTRIAL WEST
Evelyn Fox Keller, A FEELING FOR THE ORGANISM
Daniel Kevles, THE PHYSICISTS
Paul Rabinow, MAKING PCR
James Watson, THE DOUBLE HELIX
plus many articles and book chapters

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

3-5 papers developing critical or interpretive responses to assigned readings

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course introduces first-year students to some of the interdisciplinary concerns of the Science in Society Program, but, as a 100-level course, does not count toward the completion of the major, and is NOT required for students who go on to major in SISP.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS PHIL    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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