Course Content: The course is composed of three components. The first component discusses what is meant by science, its characteristics, and how science is distinguished from pathological science and pseudoscience. The second component concerns the philosophical treatment of the nature and operation of science based on Kuhn's THE STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS. The third component covers the historical development of science from prehistoric man to quantum mechanics and chaos theory. These components will be covered in an integrated fashion.

Course Prerequisites: Sixty hours of college credit and prior completion of six hours of physics, chemistry, or biology, COSC 1323, 1123, Math 2321, or Phil 2303. The course may be used to satisfy the General Education requirement for Science in Perspective for COSC, CISC, History and Mathematics majors. The course satisfies CULF 3330 for Biochemistry, Biology and Chemistry majors. For some reason there is no prerequisite for History 4343.

Course Requirements:

1. Reading. You are expected to read the assigned material before it is presented in class. This does not mean skimming. This means reading critically—making an earnest effort to understand what the author is saying, noting where you have questions, disagreements, confusions, etc. Here are some basic basic questions that you can ask yourself as read:
a) What is the central point?
b) What evidence is there for the point?
c) What other interpretation of the evidence is possible
d) How convincing do you find the point?
e) How do the topics relate to each other?
Feel free to write in the margins of your books, or, if you plan on selling them back, keep reading notes. This will help you in understanding the reading, participating in discussion, and writing papers (see below). You should always bring the relevant books to class. You are always expected to participate in the activities of each class.

2. Quizzes. Throughout the semester.

3. Two major papers are required. The assigned topics for each paper and the criteria for grading will be on the homepage. There is a due date assigned for each paper. No late papers will be accepted.

4. A number of minor papers will also be required. Periodically, you will be required to hand in 1 page paper (typed) based on a question or questions regarding the reading or previous class discussion. Questions will be posted on this web site. The papers will contain your attempt at an answer the question. I will be looking for evidence that you have read and are genuinely engaged with the texts and/or class discussion. These will be checked and form a significant part ofyour grade.

Attendance: Regular attendance and participation is necessary to be successful in this course. I will be taking roll. If you miss more than 3 classes you may receive a WA. If a test or presentation is missed, a grade of zero for that work will ordinarily be assigned. Exceptions to this policy can be made only for very serious cause. The exception is ordinarily made prior to the absence.

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is expected of you in all your assignments and exams. Any form of dishonesty is deplorable and will not be tolerated. Dishonesty generally means representing the work of another as your own. The policy in the Student Handbook (http://www.stedwards.edu/stubook) on academic honesty will be strictly enforced. Please check it out.

Classroom Decorum: Behaviors that disrupt class activities (such as tardiness, early departure, absences, inappropriate discussions, lack of participation, lack of preparation, disrespect to fellow students or the professor, beepers, cell-phones, mp3 players, reading non-class material, and so forth) will not be tolerated. Such rude and insulting behaviors are inconsistent with the goal becoming educated people.

Special Circumstances: Should you have learning, sensory, or psychiatric disabilities please let me know as soon as you have documentation, so your learning needs can be appropriately met. You need to first present documentation concerning your disability to the Disability Coordinator located in Academic Planning and Support Services, Moody Hall 155.

Important Dates: Important dates are given at: http://www.stedwards.edu/regist/su2009.htm

Syllabus Confirmation:

You must complete the syllabus confirmation by midnight, Friday, May 22 to be eligible for class participation credit. If you have any questions or concerns about the policies, do not hesitate to contact me.

Please copy the italicized statement below, click on the link following it to open an e-mail to me, and paste the statement into your e-mail. Don't forget to click “Send” in your e-mail client! (It may take a while for your e-mail client to open a new message.)

Here is the statement you are confirming (select and copy it):

I hereby confirm that I have read the Course Syllabus including the “Home” page, "Links" page, and the relevant parts of the "Student Handbook", and I understand all policies contained therein.