HUMN 399
Issues in Science and Society
3.0 Credits
Description
HUMN 399, Issues in Science and Society, traces the historical development of scientific ideas and examines the advances, functions, and implications of science in society. It encourages learners to research and reflect on issues such as social use and misuse of science, science fraud, science methods, and the effects on future generations of today's social policies on science.
Learners will select from a list of issues or research problems in the field of study and conduct literature research, assess sources of information, and present their findings. The course requires a significant amount of reading of and engagement with texts, web research, independent work, and conference based discussion.
This course is one in a series of upper-level critical analysis and research courses offered by TRU-Open Learning. Other courses offered in the 399 series are:
- BISC 399: Plants and Society
- ENST 399: Environmental Studies-Sustainability
- FINA 399: Cultural Theory and Images
- GEOG 399: Global Climate Change and Regional Impacts
- HIST 399: Environmental History
- HUMN 399: Issues in Science and Society
- POLI 399: Globalization and Its Discontents
- PSYC 399: Psychology of Human Resilience
- SOCI 399: Sociology of Diversity-Issues for Canadians
Delivery Method
This course is delivered online. Delivery is self-paced, allowing you the flexibility to proceed through the course according to your own schedule. TRU-Open Learning has no admission requirements and you can register for this course at any time throughout the year.
Prerequisites
60 credits. It is recommended that you have previous university- level courses in history, science, or social science to enroll in this course.
Exclusions
Students with credit for TRU-OL's HUMN300 may not take HUMN 399 for further credit.
Objectives
Learning Objectives
- Define key concepts about science.
- Explain the importance of scientific literacy.
- Describe significant developments in the history of science.
- Provide examples of the effect of science on the natural world and human society, and the effect of human society on science.
- Demonstrate reading comprehension and fact analysis.
- Utilize the Internet to research information about science
- Identify the effect of societal influences on science.
- Identify forces affecting the public perception of science.
- Analyze and discuss factors influencing scientific objectivity.
- Locate online sources about how society influences science.
- Locate basic information about controversies in life science on the Internet and in the library.
- Evaluate opposing opinions and identify biases about current topics in life science.
- Analyze and discuss contentious issues in the life sciences.
- Locate basic information about controversies in technology on the Internet and in the library.
- Evaluate opposing opinions about current sections in technology.
- Analyze and discuss contentious issues regarding technology.
- Balance the potential benefits and risks of new technology.
Course Outline
The course consists of four units, each of which contains a number of sections devoted to particular topics:
Unit 1: Science: an Overview
- Section 1.1: What is Science and Why Should We Care?
- Section 1.2: Basic vs. Applied Science
- Section 1.3: The Historical Development of Science
- Section 1.4: The Influence of Science on Society
Unit 2: Societal Influences
- Section 2.1: The Influence of Religion
- Section 2.2: The Influence of Politics
- Section 2.3: The Influence of Racial Bias
- Section 2.4: The Influence of Gender
- Section 2.5: Fraud, Pseudoscience, or Science Before Its Time?
- Section 2.6: The Influence of Other Scientists
- Section 2.7: Communicating Scientific Ideas to the Public
Unit 3: Life Science Issues
- Section 3.1: Agricultural Biotechnology
- Section 3.2: Reproductive Issues
- Section 3.3: Genome Sequencing Projects
- Section 3.4: Human Health Issues
Unit 4: Issues in Technology
- Section 4.1: Exploring Outer Space
- Section 4.2: Atomic Power
- Section 4.3: Communication Tools
- Section 4.4: Energy, Pollution, and the Environment
Maximum Completion
30 weeks. As the course is self-paced, students may choose to complete this course in less than the allowed maximum time.
Required Text and Materials
You will be consulting a variety of resources throughout the course. Links to the electronic resources (articles and Web resources) are provided. Please note that no course package is sent to students.
Tutor Information
Your course tutor will facilitate online discussions, mark and comment on your assignments and project exam, keep a close watch on your progress, and provide you with any assistance you may need with the course content. You will receive a welcome email from the tutor with contact information when you start the course.
Assessment
In order to successfully complete this course, you must obtain at least 50 % on the final mandatory project exam and 50 % overall. It is strongly recommended that students complete all assignments in order to achieve the learning objectives of the course. The total mark will be determined on the following basis:
Students must pass the final project exam to receive a passing grade in the course.
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