PL 2084 - Science and Society

Institution:

Polytechnic Institute of New York University

Subject:

Description:

Investigates the relation between science and society. Offered in either of the following forms: (1) Thinking About the Environment: A survey of contemporary environmental issues with emphasis on the development of the reasoning skills needed to make informed judgments. Topics include the history of environmentalism in the U.S., atmospheric ozone, global warming, acid rain, air pollution, global population growth, pesticides, radon, nuclear power, biodiversity and species extinction, and genetically modified crops. (2) Science and Pseudoscience: A survey of popular "pseudoscientific" claims withemphasis on such issues in the philosophy of science as demarcation, evidential warrant, scientific progress, science and public policy, and fallacies of reasoning. Topics include UFO sightings and alien abductions, the Nemesis theory of dinosaur extinctions, astrology, creationism, psychic phenomena, theories of intelligence, alternative medicines, global warming, and cold fusion. Student input in determining topics to cover is heavily emphasized. Students are required to make a 20-minute presentation on a topic of their choice and submit a follow-up written report. Prerequisite: none.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Multiple

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.poly.edu

Phone Number:

(718) 260-3100

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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