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COURSE OUTLINE

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest: From Atoms to Stars

COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029

CREDIT HOURS: 42 Hours (Course is entirely online)

PREREQUISITES: None

COREQUISITES: None

PLAR ELIGIBLE: YES ( X ) NO ( )

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2011

PROFESSOR: Lina Medaglia-Miller

PHONE: 416-415-5000, #3005 EMAIL: [email protected] NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain historical copies

of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your future reference.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

ORIGINATOR:__________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE DATE CHAIR:_________________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE DATE DATE OF REVISION:__________________________________________________

EQUITY STATEMENT: George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community partners and seeks to create a welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental. Language or activities which are inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment and will not be tolerated. The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are required to maintain this environment. Information and assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs, the Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.

COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars PAGE: 1 COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional information regarding the grading system, withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams, supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty. Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship between regular attendance and success.

mailto:[email protected]


COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Science of Conquest is a science-focused course that addresses the ways in which humans have attempted to conquer biology, humanity, the environment, and the universe. Students will reflect on how science has been used internationally as a tool for appropriation of natural processes such as life/death and creation/destruction. Through a series of contemporary subjects (e.g. DNA decoding, cloning, eugenics, genetic-enhancement, atomic research, warfare, environmental decline, ozone depletion, space exploration, and cosmology), students will consider how consumerist and expansionist values have affected the health of the entire planet, to the benefit of a privileged few, and to the detriment of most. A primary objective of this course is to consider the interconnectedness and interdependence of world events by analyzing how local and seemingly insignificant events that occur on one part of the planet, affect everything else on the planet. Students will also explore how science can be used to create ‘visionary’ solutions for healing the planet and its inhabitants. ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS: As mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities essential employability skills (EES) will be addressed throughout all programs of study. Students will have the opportunity to learn (L) specific skills, to practice (P) these skills, and/or be evaluated (E) on the EES outcomes in a variety of courses. The EES include communication, numeracy, critical thinking & problem solving, information management, interpersonal and personal skills. The faculty for this course has indicated which of the EES are either Learned (L), Practiced (P) or Evaluated (E) in this course:

Skill L P E Skill L P E1. to communicate clearly, concisely

and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience

X X 7. to locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information sources

X X

2. to respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication

X X 8. to show respect for the diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others

X X X

3. to execute mathematical operations accurately

X 9. to interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals

X X

4. to apply a systematic approach to solve problems

X X 10. to manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects

X X

5. to use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

X X 11. to take responsibility for my actions, decisions and consequences

X X

6. to analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources

X X X


COURSE OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Demonstrate Illustrate the workings of the basic elements of science: composition of matter and energy,

processes of environmental degradation, theories about the world and the universe. Explain the idea of rational science as a belief rather than an objective truth.

2. Critique Show how distortion of scientific information, either for personal gain or due to inaccurate scientific processes, has had disastrous effects on the environment and on plant and animal life. 3. Analyze

Examine a wide variety of global issues, showing how each issue is related to and interdependent upon others, and how each is an example of humans' attempts to conquer both their environment and the limitations of their humanity.

4. Apply Seek out alternate sciences and technologies at a community or global development level that would aid in reversing planetary decline. Explain how traditional, indigenous knowledge provides future visions for ecological balance.

DELIVERY METHODS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES This is an online course with weekly, mini-essay assignments, one major essay, and a final exam. Modules will be “opened” and available for the students to work on, each week, in anticipation of the class that is to come. Students are responsible for reading all materials presented in each module, participating in weekly discussion, observing due dates for assignments, and maintaining regular contact with the professor and the rest of the class. LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS Required:

Readings for each week are available online and are accessed through links found on Blackboard. Optional:

Newton, L., C. Dillingham, and J. Choly (2006). Watersheds 4. Toronto: Thomson Nelson. Ravetz, Jerome (2005). The No-Nonsense Guide to Science. Toronto: New Internationalist/Between

the Lines. TESTING POLICY: Term assignments: (1) Weekly response to assigned topic, (2) Footprint and Positive Steps Essay or Report, and (3) Exam in the last week of classes.


ASSIGNMENT POLICY: Extensions must be negotiated by e-mail, with the professor, at least 24 hours before the due date of the assignment. Students who submit late assignments without prior negotiation will have marks deducted. See individual assignments for details on marks deduction. Students who submit plagiarized work will receive a mark of zero, with the possibility of additional penalty. If you are not clear on what constitutes academic dishonesty, the library/learning centre at your campus has many resources to help you. EVALUATION SYSTEM: Assessment Tool: Description: Outcome(s)

demon-strated:

EES demon-strated:

Date / Week:

% of Final Grade:

Ecological Footprint Assignment and Positive Steps

Self-test, reflection, analysis, report (1000 words)

1 through 4 1,2,3, 4,5,6, 7,8,10,11

7 30

Weekly discussion/ response

12 weeks’ responses to assigned topics

1 through 4 1,2,3, 4,5,6, 7,8,10,11

Each wk 40

Exam Multiple choice 1 through 4 1,2,4,5,6, 7,8,10,11

14 30

TOTAL: 100% GRADING SYSTEM The passing grade for this course is: ________ A+ 90-100 4.0 B+ 77-79 3.3 C+ 67-69 2.3 D+ 57-59 1.3 Below 50 F 0.0 A 86-89 4.0 B 73-76 3.0 C 63-66 2.0 D 50-56 1.0 A- 80-85 3.7 B- 70-72 2.7 C- 60-62 1.7

Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty: The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material. To view George Brown College policies please go to www.gbrownc.on.ca/policies

http://www.gbrownc.on.ca/policies


TOPIC OUTLINE:

Week/ Module

Topic / Task Outcome(s) Content / Activities Readings & Assignments due

1 Conquering Through Science: Development and Globalization

1 through 4 Introduction to course. Human relationship to the planet. Are we stewards or plunderers? Myths of infinite resources.

See online links for readings in Mod. 1 DUE: your introduction in Mod. 1 discussion

2 The Beginning of the Universe: Towards a Theory of Cosmogony

1 through 4 Rationality vs faith & belief. How traditional western science works. Data collection, experimentation, the building of a theory and its challenges.

See online links for readings in Mod. 2 DUE: your response in Mod. 2 discussion

3 DNA: The Double Helix and Biogenetic Engineering

1 through 4 Gene-Splicing. What Genetic Engineering is and how it is done. GMOs, cloning for the sake of health, art and profit. Ethics of Genetic Engineering.


4 Race and Science: Eugenics and the Fallacy of Race

1 through 4 Race as a cultural rather than biological construct. Eugenics to erase diseases from gene pool or to select out ‘undesirables.’ Genocide in the name of science.


5 Population: Too Many People or Class Warfare?

1 through 4 High exploitation of natural resources and waste in the North. High birth rate in the South. Theories of de-population and ecological disasters.


6 Environment: The Silent Spring: Pesticides and Poisons

1 through 4 Development of plastics, disinfectants, and pesticides for health and convenience. Organochlorines and their effect on biosystems including



human and animal life 7 Environment:

Paradise Lost: Climate Change and Ozone Depletion

1 through 4 Greenhouse Gases: Natural and unnatural processes affecting climate. Damage to ozone layer and effect on planet’s ecology. Salination, desertification, water and air pollution.

See online links for readings in Mod. 7 DUE: your response in Mod.7 discussion Also DUE: FOOTPRINT & POSITIVE STEPS ASSIGNMENT

INTERSESSION WEEK 8

Environment:: Fish Gotta Swim: Endangered Species

1 through 4 Oil Spills, overfishing dumping airplane fuel, killing endangered animals for food and fun. Anthropocentrism and human greed. Destruction of natural habitat and displacement of living beings.


9

Environment: The Monsters Within: Germs and Microbes

1 through 4 Infectious diseases around the world; how diseases are spread. Antibiotics and autoimmune resistance: who suffers the most and why? Bacteriophages and irradiation as possible hope.


10

War: Theories of Violence

1 through 4 Scientific theories addressing psychobiological propensity towards violence and war. The nature vs nurture debate


11

War: Star Wars Dreams

1 through 4 Nuclear arms: processing, deployment, disposal. Mining for uranium. war and war exercises responsible in destruction of ecosystems. Agent orange and others.


12

Transformative Visions:

1 through 4 Active promotion of diversity and

See online links for readings


Balance and Peace through Science

difference as the key to a healthy planet. Alternative and complementary technologies. What Indigenous people teach us about the science of cultivating diversity.

in Mod. 12 DUE: your response in Mod. 12 discussion

13

Transformative Visions: Indigenous Science and Wisdom

1 through 4 Philosophies and practices for a healthy planet. Creation spirituality vs transcendence spirituality. Living in harmony with others.


14

Exam 1 through 4 DUE: Exam available last week of School at St. James campus

For information on withdrawing from this course without academic penalty, please refer to the College Academic Calendar: http://www.georgebrown.ca/Admin/Registr/PSCal.aspx

http://www.georgebrown.ca/Admin/Registr/PSCal.aspx

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