Alex, I’ll Take Science, Literature and Technology for $300

Dr. Robert Bergland Missouri Western State University ACA/PCA Conference April 15, 2006

Overview Teachers of course, Students Philosophy of course Schedule/Topics/Readings Assignments Changes to make?

Teachers/Students of Course Bob Bergland-English/Journalism Todd Eckdahl-Biology

Students from all fields--course crosslisted as BIO, GOV, PHIL, ENG, PSY 314

Philosophy of Course Increase student knowledge in a wide

range of areas Foster critical thinking and debate about

impact of technology/science on culture and culture’s impact on technology and science

Topics--Science Assisted Reproduction Technologies Evolution Replacement Organs Overpopulation Eugenics Cloning Biological Warfare

Topics--other Printing technologies Internet Artificial Intelligence Cyborgs

Readings Science journal articles Short stories Novels Screenplay Pop and news magazine articles Academic/philosophical essays/articles

Assignments Weekly reading quizzes Weekly discussion questions Class discussion Four essays Presentation to class

Class activities Quiz Presentation Discussion/debate Explanatory mini-lectures Documentary/Movie clips

Changes Textbook? Stem cells Transportation Cell phones Surveillance Country study--Ukraine

Final notes Works well as a team-taught course Works well having a variety of majors Students enjoy being able to talk,

debate--different class than many are used to

Teachers learn as much as the students