Each answer for each question (5 questions total) should be completed in a concise but well-written essay, about 200-300 words long. You do not need to add exact quotes or cite specific page numbers, but you do need to be as detailed as you can, citing specific authors and explaining specific ideas from the readings and videos in your own words.
1. How does a societys values shape its approach to science? Explain general principles, but illustrate your answer with specific examples as well. Feel free to discuss any aspect of society (culture, religion, politics, etc.).
2. What is science and how does it differ from other academic disciplines? Discuss at least one detailed example of a specific question, illustrating how a scientist would address that question differently than a non-scientist.
3. How does scientific discovery (including technological innovation) influence human culture? Explain general principles, and then illustrate your answer with least one detailed example.
4. Compare and contrast two cultures approaches to science. You may draw from history or American subcultures as well as world cultures. For example, you could discuss medieval Europe vs. Enlightenment Europe or liberal America vs. conservative America, as well as America vs. China, etc.
5. How is our changing technology influencing the way we picture the human body today?
Here are some videos referenced throughout the course that may assist.
– Moyers, B., Winship, M. (Writers), & Badger, E. (Director). (2014, January 17) Neil deGrasse Tyson on Science, Religion, and the Universe. Retrieved from http://billmoyers.com/episode/neil-degrasse-tyson-on-science-religion-and-the-universe/
– Breaking In The Habit. (2016, March 21). The Galileo myth Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxddfx-qX1c
– Its Okay To Be Smart. (2015, September 21). Fact vs. Theory vs. Hypothesis vs. Law EXPLAINED! Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqk3TKuGNBA
– SciShow. (2013, April 29). The Times and troubles of the scientific method Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8wi0QnYN6s
– Closer To Truth. (2016, April 1). Bas van Fraassen What are the scope and limits of science? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brAOVfAoimQ
– Ford, A. (2014, August 15). John Wilkins Scientific realism & structural realism Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8MMPkA9LgI
– BBC News. (2015, September 14). Transhumanism: Could we live forever? BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STsTUEOqP-g
– TEDx Talks. (2014, June 24.). The coming transhuman era: Jason Sosa at TEDxGrandRapids. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ugo2KEV2XQ
– Brewin, K. (2015, June 2). Kester Brewin on technology, theology, and the desire for transcendence. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJupGWrIA4U/p>
Articles and Web Pages
– Eskridge, R. (2003, January 7). The enduring relationship of science and art. Retrieved from http://www.artic.edu/aic/education/sciarttech/2a1.html
– Garcia-Lopez, P. (2012). Scuplting the brain. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 6(5). Retrieved from http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00005/full
– Hansson, S. O. (2017). Science and pseudo-science. In The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Summer 2017 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (Ed.). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2017/entries/pseudo-science/
– Carroll, S. (2013, July 3). What is science? Retrieved from http://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/2013/07/03/what-is-science/
– Folse, H. J. (n.d.). The realism vs. anti-realism debate. Retrieved from http://www.loyno.edu/~folse/Realism1.html
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