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A World On The EdgePhilosophical Perspectives on Contemporary Science
A Wofford College Learning Community
Christine Sorrell Dinkins: [email protected] Zides: [email protected]
Wofford’s Learning Communities
A curricular approach A curricular approach that links two disparate that links two disparate classes, often science classes, often science and humanities, around and humanities, around an interdisciplinary an interdisciplinary theme, and enrolls a theme, and enrolls a common group of common group of students.students.
Theme of Our Community
In these linked courses, we explored philosophical questions that arose as we studied the science relating to potential cataclysmic or apocalyptic events.
Typical Week in Physics
• A Quick Learning Assessment
• Collaborative group work, class debate or audio/visual analysis
• Traditional lab work and experiential off-campus activities
• Short creative projects such as political cartoons, poems, journal entries, and even photo collages
Typical Week in Philosophy
• A Quick Learning Assessment
• Class Discussion about the daily reading and/or about other class related experiences
• Collaborative group work, class debate or audio/visual analysis
• Weekend Online Discussions
Course Outline
I) Dangerous Scientific Endeavors Nanotechnology, Artificial intelligence, Genetic Engineering, High-Energy Physics
II) Warfare and Weapons Biological, Chemical, Nuclear
III) Over-population and Over-consumption Power, Greenhouse Effect/Ozone Depletion, Global Warming, Human Waste
IV) External Events Cataclysmic Astronomy, Alien Invasion
V) Why Prolong the Human Race? Surviving in space, Planetary colonization
Course Syllabus
Dates Tuesday Thursday Lab
Week 8
March 20-24
- Creative Assignment on Power Due
- Global Warming Articles
- Government Control and Overpopulation Articles
- Weston Ch. 5
Nuclear Power Plant visit
Week 9
March 27-31
- Superquiz 3
- Paper 3 Due
- Asteroids and Comets
- Zubrin Ch. 7
- Other External Events
- Nietzsche story
Landfill Exploration
Experiential Learning
Creative Assignments
Online Discussions
How it works:
• Threaded discussion within student email system – accessible to students from any location
• Students post responses to instructor’s questions and then respond to each other
• Students also encouraged to start their own thread about the reading• Responses are expected to be thoughtful but may be informal in style
Goals:
• Students have an additional forum for exchanging ideas• Students develop skills in written communication• Students will be more prepared for in-class discussion on the following day
The Preceptor
Mark Reynolds? Mark Reynolds?
• A Partner in developing and implementing the LC
• A Model learner, who links the students and
professors together
Example Problem: Overpopulation
Contributes to over-consumption, excess waste, and the energy crisis
Values at Issue: • Religious beliefs and attitudes about birth control• Caring for homeless and abandoned children • Prevention of child abuse• Do people have a natural right to reproduce?
Solutions:• Reproductive Licenses• Psychological Testing and Parental Training Courses• Encouraged Adoption• Tax breaks for up to two children and fines for more than two children• Hefty fines for an unlicensed child
Rationale: People have to get a license to drive a car or practice law. Child rearing is one of the most important jobs an individual can have: therefore, a person should be qualified to perform this job.
Final Group Presentations
Project Clean-Up
Recycle Man
Assessment: What Worked Well
“The LC has helped me discuss issues from a more pragmatic view. I became more vocal throughout the semester and learned lots of new information. I made strong friendships and learned how to support my views and yet still respect opposing views.”
“This LC helped me mature and identify connections between science and philosophy. I had a great time, learned a lot, and I would gladly take another LC in the future.”
Question Cos Sci Fi Thea WorThis LC has helped me to see the connections between science and humanities/philosophy.
4.0 4.3 4.5 4.5
I’m confident that my new knowledge has real world applications.
3.6 3.6 3.5 4.3
This LC helped me to realize that there are multiple perspectives from which to view an issue.
4.4 3.2 4.1 4.5
Assessment: What We Would Like to Improve
“Start LC with a dinner ice breaker.”
“Get better field trips.”
“Fewer articles to read in Physics class.”
Question Cos Sci Fi Thea WorI will consider the issues introduced in this learning community throughout my life.
3.6 4.3 3.8 4.1
The students in this LC helped each other learn. 4.5 3.8 3.9 3.9
I am more likely to be an active citizen because of this LC.
- - - 3.3
A World On The EdgePhilosophical Perspectives on Contemporary Science
A Wofford College Learning Community
Christine Sorrell Dinkins: [email protected] Zides: [email protected]
