F - Ramapo College



RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEYFirst-Year Seminar, Fall 2020Science and PoliticsCourse InformationINTD 101-13, 4 Credit HoursTuesdays and Fridays, 6:05-7:45 p.mPrerequisites: NoneInstructor InformationProfessor Diana M. Judddjudd@ramapo.eduOffice hours Tuesdays and Fridays in B122, by appointment.Mailbox in room B224First Year Seminar Description:Designed for first-time, full-time, first-year students, First-Year Seminar (FYS) provides a comprehensive introduction to college-level learning. Seminar courses are developed around an academic theme or topic that is based on one of Ramapo College’s academic pillars. First-Year students will have the opportunity to select a seminar that best suits their interests while learning about Ramapo’s academic foundation. The First-Year Seminar course helps students in their transition from high school to college life both in and out of the classroom. The common learning outcomes of FYS are: technological competency, understanding diverse communities, oral communication, and information literacy. FYS classes are small to emphasize open discussion and experiential learning within the context of the theme of the seminar course. Peer facilitators play an essential role in each FYS class ensuring that first-year students have guidance from a more experienced student. FYS is also the home of the Ramapo Summer Reading Program; all first-year students read the same book and discuss and write about it in their seminars. FYS encourages new students to participate in a community of learners, to strengthen their critical thinking skills, and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.Course DescriptionThis exciting course lends us the opportunity to study the complex relationship between natural science and politics. Questions driving this course are: what was the radical political and social impact of modern science at its origins? What is natural science and how is it different from other forms of knowledge? What are the major political issues surrounding science policy in the U.S.? We will address these questions and many more through our exploration of some of the most controversial issues in science and politics today, such as: cultural and religious backlash against science and scientific data, including medical data, climate change, and a host of current and timely debates surrounding political policy and natural science going on in the United States today. We also have the unique opportunity to be studying these issues during an election year, and one in which science policy is getting more attention than in any other year in recent memory. This course is multifaceted, and has a rather interdisciplinary bent. We will be studying issues belonging to not only the philosophy of natural science, but also to American politics and political theory. Many of these issues are (for better or worse) considered controversial in American politics today. But science has always been controversial; it is what makes the topic so fascinating!Course Goals In this course, you will have the opportunity learn to think and write critically, create good arguments in both verbal and written form in terms of the context of natural science and its relationship to politics. You are expected to complete the assigned reading before coming to each class, and to bring the relevant texts and materials. I highly encourage you to ask lots of questions during class, discuss the material with one another, and come see me during office hours with any questions, comments, or difficulties. As every good scientist knows, truth can only be reached through open debate. That will be the character of our course. Measurable Student Learning Outcomes ObjectiveOutcomeInforma-tion Literacy SessionOral Presenta-tionsPeer Curricu-lumResearch Paper or ProjectSummer Reading Paper1 Develop the skills necessary to locate, evaluate, and employ information effectively.1. Locate Information Effectively.XX2 Speak effectively in scholarly and creative contexts.1. Deliver a central message that is easy to identify, vivid, and memorable.X2. Use appropriate language for the subject and the audience.X3. Deliver oral communications in an engaging manner.X3 Use technology to communicate, manage, or solve problems1. Use technology to communicate information.X2. Use technology to manage information.X4 Understand diverse communities on local, national, and/or global levels1. Demonstrate understanding of the intersections of issues that affect diverse communities in their local, national, and/or global context.XX5 Participate in an engaged,?experiential? activity that connects course material to real world settings1. ?Critically reflect on the experiential activity and articulate your conclusionsXPeer Facilitators As an added resource for first-year students, each section of First-Year Seminar (FYS) will have one or two peer facilitators. These upper-level students will attend FYS classes and act as student leaders modeling engaged participation in this seminar.?They will serve as discussion leaders on issues that pertain to your personal and social development and they will facilitate weekly discussions. Your peer facilitator will be your mentor and will be available to you to provide guidance on navigating the different personal and social hurdles that you may encounter in your first year at Ramapo. First-Year Academic Advising As part of the Ramapo College Academic Advisement Plan, each First-Year Student is assigned an Academic Advisor from the Center for Student Success. During the fall semester, the First-Year Students have a mandatory advisement meeting with their assigned Advisor to select spring 2019 courses and to develop a personalized academic plan. You can see who your academic advisor is through the CONNECT software system.? If you have any questions regarding Academic Advisement, please?call the Center for Student Success at (201) 684-7441 or via email at success@ramapo.edu.Texts, Readings, Materials The following books should be purchased prior to when they arise in class:Francis Bacon, The Great Instauration. SMK Books, 2012 ISBN: 978-1-61720-799-0.Martin Fichman, Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture. Humanity Books, 2002. ISBN: 1-59102-003-4A series of readings which will be made available on Canvas. These are marked “TBA” on the syllabus, and are subject to update as the course progresses. After all, issues in science and politics arise fairly rapidly, and we will keep current.In all First Year Seminars, the following are also required: Hacker, Diana, and Nancy Sommers. Rules for Writers with 2016 MLA Update. 8th ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-319-08349-6.Moshin Hamid, Exit West. (This was the summer reading, available as an e-book.)Course Requirements One short essay based on the summer reading, and brief presentation of your topic in class.One midterm response paper.One final exam paper with accompanying formal presentation, the format of which will be decided upon in November.A series of in-class quizzes based on the readings.The short essay based on the summer reading is worth 10% of your gradeThe midterm response paper is worth 20% of your grade.The quizzes are collectively worth 20% of your grade.The final exam paper is worth 30% of your grade.Participation and attendance are worth 20% of your grade.General Education Program Course This course fulfills the First-Year Seminar category of the general education curriculum at Ramapo College. Common to all First-Year Seminar (FYS) courses, you will develop critical thinking skills that are basic to college level study, regardless of your area of interest. You will be reading, writing, and participating in thoughtful group discussions with the aim of developing the skills of a scholar. You will learn to support your arguments using a foundation of knowledge and facts rather than simply using personal opinions and experiences.This course falls within the category of Interdisciplinary Studies for the First Year Seminar. It is listed in this category as this exciting course falls within the jurisdiction of not just natural science, but also national politics, and religion and science. Weekly Class Schedule. Note that this schedule is subject to change and amendment as we progress through the semester.DateClass topic, reading assignmentExam/assignment/paper due dateWeek 1First day of class, IntroductionWeek 2Discussion of summer reading as it pertains to our courseShort essay due Friday, September 11Weeks 3 and 4Francis Bacon, The New Organon: “The Great Instauration” and “Aphorisms Book OneAll FYS students will be accompanied to a Title IX/Bystander Intervention presentation. The day/time of this “field trip” will be announced. It will take place outside of the classroom at a campus location to be announced.Week 5Imre Lakatos, “Science and Pseudoscience”, in Curd and Cover, Philosophy of Science (TBA).Week 6Kathleen Okruhlik, “Gender and the Biological Sciences” in Curd and Cover, Philosophy of Science (TBA)Scientific Values and Civic Virtues, edited by Noretta Koertge, Part I. (TBA)Week 7Ernst Mayr, What Evolution Is, Appendix B and ch. 6 (TBA)Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, ch. 14 “Recapitulation and Conclusion” (TBA)Martin Fichman, Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture, Preface and chapter 1.Also there will be a visit from Peer Facilitators around this time to provide a follow-up / refresher to the academic advisement presentation and course registration strategies Week 8Review and midterm response paperMidterm response paper due Friday, October 23Weeks 9-10Martin Fichman, Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture, chapters 2-6.A library research workshop to visit the library and participate in a custom-designed library workshop that introduces you to library resources that are tailored to help you write the final paper will take place around this time. You will be introduced to useful library databases, book and journal holdings, and web-based resources related to our course’s research topics.Week 11Martin Fichman, Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture, chapters 7-8.Kent Greenwalt, Does God Belong In Public Schools? Ch. 8, “Teaching Natural Science I: Relation Between Science and Religion” (TBA)Michael Ruse, “Creation Science Is Not Science” in Science, Technology and Human Values, Volume 7, No. 40, Summer 1982, pp. 72-78 (TBA)Week 12Larry Laudan, “Commentary: Science at the Bar—Causes for Concern” in Science, Technology and Human Values, Volume 7, No. 41, Fall 1982, pp. 16-19. (TBA)Michael Ruse, “Response to the Commentary: Pro Judice” in Science, Technology and Human Values, Volume 7, No. 41, Fall 1982, pp. 19-23. (TBA)Eugenie C. Scott, “Antievolution and Creationism in the United States”, in Annual Review of Anthropology, Volume 26 (1997), pp. 263-289. (TBA)Weeks 13-14Policy and Health Issues: all readings TBAWeek 15Norman Vig and Michael Kraft, editors, Environmental Policy: New Directions for the Twenty-First Century, Preface, chapters 1, 2, and 8. (TBA)Rita Colwell, “Cholera Outbreaks and Ocean Climate”, in Social Research, Vol. 73, no 3, 2006: 753-760. (TBA)Final ExamFinals week. Final papers and presentations due.Date and time to be determined by Ramapo’s master final exam schedule.Important DatesFirst day of class: September 4th Last day for Class Adjustments (on the Web): September 8th Thanksgiving Recess: November 25-29thLast day of class: December 11th Final Exam Week: December 16th – 22ndLast day to request “I” grades: December 22nd Attendance Policy You are allowed a maximum of three absences in this course. Any more than this and your participation grade will be very adversely affected. Each of you should also start to familiarize yourselves with a few decent popular science publications, or those dedicated to science and politics. Good examples include Discover, New Scientist, Popular Science, and Scientific American. Some political and current events periodicals such as The Economist also contain sections on science and technology, and most respected newspapers routinely cover science news (e.g., The New York Times and The Washington Post). Keep in mind that the way to get 20% of an A averaged into your final grade is to come to class prepared and ready to work! College policy states that students must notify faculty within the first three weeks of the semester if they anticipate missing any classes due to religious observance.Electronic Forms of Communication In accordance with College policy, I will use your Ramapo College email address (@ramapo.edu) to communicate with you about all course-related matters. Also consult Moodle as appropriate in terms of class wide communications and weekly readings. Students with Disabilities If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a disability that has been documented with the Office of Specialized Services, please make an appointment with me. Policy on Academic Integrity Students are expected to read and understand Ramapo College’s Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found online in the College Catalog (). Members of the Ramapo College community are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Students who are suspected of violating this policy will be either required to meet with the faculty member (and in the event of a ‘responsible’ finding, reported to the Office of the Provost), or be referred directly to the Office of the Provost, which will adjudicate the matter. ResponsibilitiesThe Office of the Provost has responsibility for the oversight and enforcement of the Academic Integrity Policy and for making the policy an institutional priority.? The Office of the Provost is also responsible for publishing the policy and for educating both faculty and students about the policy.Faculty members play a crucial role in the Academic Integrity Policy. They are responsible for educating their students about the importance of academic integrity and for communicating to students their expectations with respect to academic integrity in course work. They are also urged to report alleged violations of the policy to the Vice Provost. Students have the responsibility to understand the Academic Integrity Policy and to comply with the policy in their academic work.CriteriaThere are four (4) broad forms of academic dishonesty:Cheating Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents his or her mastery of material on a test or other academic exercise.? Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to: copying from another student’s work;allowing another student to copy his/her work; using unauthorized materials such as a textbook, notebook, or electronic devices during an examination; using specifically prepared materials, such as notes written on clothing or other unauthorized notes, formula lists, etc., during an examination; collaborating with another person during an examination by giving or receiving information without authorization from the instructor;taking a test for another person or asking or allowing another to take the student’s own test.Plagiarism Plagiarism occurs when a person represents someone else’s words, ideas, phrases, sentences, or data as one’s own work.? When a student submits work that includes such material, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific footnote or endnote references; additionally, verbatim statements must be acknowledged through quotation marks.? To avoid a charge of plagiarism, a student should be sure to include an acknowledgment of indebtedness: whenever he or she quotes another person’s words directly;whenever he or she uses another person’s ideas, opinions, or theories, even if they have been completely paraphrased in one’s own words;whenever he or she allows another individual to contribute to the work in some significant fashion (for instance, through editing or sharing of ideas);whenever he or she uses facts, statistics, or other illustrative material taken from a source, unless the information is common knowledge. Examples of standard citation formats can be found on the George T. Potter Library Website: The above quote is part of the official Ramapo College stance on plagiarism, stated in the College Catalog. Now, permit me to share mine. I have zero tolerance for plagiarism. The purpose of this course, and the purpose education in general, is to learn to think for yourself. Using ideas from others without proper citation, be these ideas from the Internet, from a book, or from any source other than your own brain, will earn you an immediate F for the entire course and the opportunity to converse with a college administrator in their office. The best way to avoid either of these two rather unpleasant fates? Don’t cheat. Academic Misconduct Academic misconduct includes the alteration of grades, involvement in the acquisition or distribution of unadministered tests, and the unauthorized submission of student work in more than one class.? Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:changing, altering, falsifying, or being the accessory to the changing, altering, or falsifying of a grade report or form, transcript, or other academic record, or entering any computer system or College office or building for that purpose;stealing, buying, selling, giving way, or otherwise obtaining all or part of any unadministered test or paper or entering any computer system or College office or building for the purpose of obtaining an unadministered test;submitting written work (in whole or in significant part) to fulfill the requirements of more than one course without the explicit permission of both instructors;disregarding policies governing the use of human subjects or animals in research;sabotaging another student’s work through actions designed to prevent the student from successfully completing an assignment;knowingly facilitating a violation of the academic integrity policy by another person.FabricationFabrication refers to the deliberate use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.? Examples of fabrication include, but are not limited to: citing information not taken from the source indicated;citing of sources in a “works cited” that were not used in that project;altering, stealing, and/or falsifying research data used in research reports, theses, or dissertations;submitting as one’s own any academic work prepared in whole or in part by others, including the use of another’s identity;falsifying information or signatures on registration, withdrawal, or other academic forms and records.Reporting ViolationsIn order to ensure due process, any member of the community who is aware of a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is expected to report the incident to the Vice Provost. A faculty member may choose to resolve the incident him/herself or send the case to the Vice Provost for review (see below). In either case, the faculty member reports the incident to the Vice Provost on the reporting form, which serves not only to report the incident but also to record the finding and the sanction in situations in which the faculty member chooses to resolve the case. A faculty member is encouraged to report an alleged violation of academic integrity within 30 days of the discovery of the alleged violation but must do so no later than the last day to submit grades for the term in which the alleged violation occurred. A faculty member may report an incident after that date, but only if he/she has new evidence.More details on Ramapo College’s academic integrity policy can be found here: ................
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