II. Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, the student should
a. Be able to understand and apply terminology relevant to science and the scientific method.
b. Be able to understand the connections between science and philosophy.
c. Have an understanding of the history of modern science.
d. Have an overview of some of the major issues in modern science.
e. Have an understanding of the relationship between science and society.
f. Be able to explain relationship between causation and correlation.
g. Understand the difference between science, scienticism, and the scientific method.
h. Be able to apply the scientific method.

III. Texts
Carey, Stephen. The Beginner's Guide to Scientific Method. 2^nd edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 1998.

Kourany, Janet. Scientific Knowledge. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 2nd edition, 1998.

IV. Course Requirements
A. While accelerated courses are a convenient and efficient way to finish courses quickly, there is a major time commitment involved. This course is an accelerated version of the semester long class and thus moves at a rapid pace. Since you are collapsing a 15 week course into five classes spread over six weeks you will need to adjust your schedule (e.g., life) accordingly. On an average you are looking at approximately 15 hours of quality study and reading outside of class each of the six weeks. If you schedule does not permit this or you are not committed to your education, you might consider waiting until you have more study time available to take this course. You are expected to attend all classes, arrive to class on time, be well prepared for class, to actively participate in seminar discussions, to submit all assignments on time, and the instructor reserves the right to give a pop quiz at the beginning of each class, 5:25 p.m., should lack of student preparation become evident. Since there are only five classes, even one absence could adversely effect your grade. If you need to miss one class you might lose five (5) points off your final average unless there are verifiable medical reasons (work or vacation is not a medical reason) and two or more classes or continued tardiness will result in an automatic failing grade.

B. Contemporary Events Assignment: Each Tuesday's edition of the New York Times newspaper includes a section called Science Times. Each week you need to choose one article from the paper and write a review. Each review should be approximately one page (150 to 300 words)and should be submitted before Noon the Friday before the next class. Late essays are not accepted and no more than one essay can be submitted each week. Over the course of the semester, you need to submit four reviews. Please use proper MLA Style documentation. You may substitute for the NY Times either Science News or Scientific American but only one article per issue can be used and the issues can be no more than two months old.

C. Two examination are required for this course. You will have up to three days to complete the take-home part of each exam unless we are at the end of the course and then the exam must be submitted no later than Monday, June 25, at 5:25 p.m. Late exams will be penalized one letter grade and will not be accepted if more than two additional days late. If there are extenuating circumstances of a medical nature, this policy is negotiable.

D. A mini-research paper dealing with a critical issue in modern science is required. The paper should be five to eight pages in length (absolute minimum. 1400 words)and use at least four scholarly sources. The paper should also conform to the MLA Style Manual. Sample paper topics are: relation between science and religion, the human genome project, genetic testing, feminism and science, cloning, and so forth. You may use online sources but the author of the article must be clearly stated and each article must include a bibliography and preferably footnotes. Dot com or dot net sites are not appropriate unless approved by the instructor. No more than half of your works cited should be online sources. When submitting your paper, include both a Works Cited section and a Bibliography section. Please have your paper topic approved by me no later than June 1 and your paper is due by Noon on Friday, June 15. Unless prior arrangements have been made, papers submitted after this date will be penalized ten points per day and not accepted after June 25.

V. Special Circumstances
If you have a specific physical, psychiatric or learning disability and require accommodations, please let me know at the end of the first class meeting so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Learning Assistance Center (Moody Hall).

VI. Academic Integrity
Students are expected to maintain high standards of academic integrity in all work for this course. Dishonesty in any work will result in a grade of "F" for the course and a letter to the Dean of New College will be sent. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that may result in the same penalty. In cases of mitigating circumstances, the instructor may assign a lesser penalty. Once a grade of "F" has been assigned on the basis of academic dishonesty, the student may not withdraw from the course.

VII. Computer Competencies
Students who entered SEU Fall '99 or later, need to demonstrate computer competencies in 6 areas as a requirement for graduation. On-line tutorials and short workshops will prepare you for the on-line tests you need to take. St. Ed's has been a leader in establishing these competencies, which were part of our last accreditation plan and designed to help you learn the skills you need for your courses and for the workplace. See http://www.stedwards.edu/it_dept/competency/ or look for Computer Competencies on the SEU website site map.

VIII. Assignments
It is suggested that as you read and study the books and articles you take notes in a journal of some kind. Doing this will help you understand the material better, you will have an area to write your questions into, and it could help in exam preparation.. Also, any questions you might have over the materials please raise them in class.

Session 1: May 21

Read and Study pages 9 - 24 and 35 - 46 in Scientific Knowledge edited by Janet Kourany.

Read and Study The Beginners Guide to the Scientific Method and then be able to answer the following questions. You do not have the submit them at this class, but having answers already worked out could be very beneficial come exam time. Be sure to think carefully through your responses since in grading exams I look for depth and breath of responses.
page 39, question 2
page 46, question 20
page 84, choose either question 4 or 20
page 106, choose one question from numbers 2 through 10
page 107, choose one question from numbers 11 through 15
page 133, choose one question from numbers 2 through 12

No Physical Class, Monday May 28, Memorial Day. Listen to the Real Audio broadcast of The Birth of Modern Science by George Gale.

Research proposal due by Noon, Friday June 1.

Session 2: June 4: Read and Study pages 75 - 135 in Scientific Knowledge.

Examination one is distributed and is due by 10 a.m. Friday, June 8.

Session 3: June 11: Read and Study pages 176 - 252 in Scientific Knowledge

Mini-Research paper due by Noon, Friday June 15.

Session 4: June 18 : Read and Study pages 253 - 338 in Scientific Knowledge.

NOTE: Examination will be emailed to you around Noon on Friday, June 22.

Session 5: June 25.: Read and Study pages 339 - 386 and 428 - 439 in Scientific Knowledge

Second exam is distributed and is due June 25 at 5:25 p.m.

This is the final deadline, not the recommended deadline.

IX. EVALUATION

Examinations 50%

Research paper 20%

Assignments 20%

Class Participation 10%

. Grades are based on A equals Exceptional work, B equals Good work, C equals Average work, D equals poor work, and an F will be given if the student does not complete the course, does failing work in the course, or has excessive absences or tardiness.

. The grade of I (Incomplete) is given at the sole discretion of the instructor and in recognition of the fact that an exceptional circumstance has prevented a student, who has completed at least 75% of the work in the course with a passing grade, from completing all the work for that course. Exceptional circumstances do not include situations that can be considered a normal part of living such as adjusting to work schedules, compensating for transportation difficulties, haven taken too many classes, etc.

IX. Office Hours
If you are having any difficulty with the course please do not hesitate to contact me either in person, by email, or by phone. We can schedule extra meetings or work out alternative methods for mastering the course material. If you call and I do not answer please leave a message and I will return your call when I am able.

Updated: 31 May 2001