SCIENCE AND WOMEN'S ISSUES University at Albany State University of New York Crosslisted: A WSS 401K #5874 Undergraduate Women's Studies A WSS 501 #5414 Graduate Women's Studies U GLS 600 #5611 Graduate Global Studies Fall, 1992 Mondays 5:45-8:35 HU20 Instructor: Bonnie Spanier, Women's Studies Office Hrs.: Mon. 1:30-2:30, Fri. 10-11, and by appt. This seminar will explore the history of participation in science by women and people of color, the role that science plays in constructing or reinforcing society's ideas about gender, race, class, and sexuality, and the ways that science is influenced by societal forces such as ideologies, values, and economics. Required Texts: M. Rossiter. Women Scientists in America: Struggles and Strategies to 1940. Johns Hopkins U.Press, 1982. N. Tuana, ed. Feminism and Science. Indiana U. Press, 1989. S.J. Gould. The Mismeasure of Man. Norton, 1981. R. Bleier. Science and Gender: A Critique of Biology and Its Theories on Women. Pergamon Press, 1984. Xeroxed materials will also be assigned. Additional suggested books: D. Nelkin. Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and Technology. Freeman, 1987. K. Manning. Black Apollo of Science: The Life of E.E.Just. Oxford, 1984. V. Gornick. Women in Science: Portraits from a World in Transition. Simon and Schuster, 1983. R. Rosenberg. Beyond Separate Spheres: Intellectual Roots of Modern Feminism. Yale, 1982. J. Goodfield. An Imagined World: A Story of Scientific Discovery. Penguin, 1981. M. Alic. Hypatia's Heritage: A History of Women in Science from Antiquity through the Nineteenth Century. Beacon, 1986. P. Hynes. The Recurring Silent Spring. Pergamon, 1989. J. Rothschild. Machina Ex Dea: Feminist Perspectives on Technology. Pergamon, 1983. Recommended: Kate Turabian. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. U. of Chicago, 1987, 5th Ed. *************************** COURSE SCHEDULE Sept.3 Introduction/Overview I. History of Women as Scientists Sept. 10 Rosser in F&S, "Feminist Scholarship in the Sciences" Rossiter, Intro, Chaps.1-2 (continued) Essay on Science/Math and Me due Sept. 17 Rossiter, Chaps.3-5 Opt: E.Potter in F&S, "Modeling the Gender Politics in Science" Sept. 24 Rossiter, Chaps.6-7 Sage, A Scholarly Journal on Black Women, Fall 1989 issue on "Science and Technology," selected articles Oct. 1 Rossiter, Chaps.8-9 Ideological constraints: Tuana in F&S, "The Weaker Seed" X: M.Linn and J.Hyde, "Gender, Mathematics, and Science" X: Benbow and Stanley claims about math abilities. Oct. 8 Rossiter, Chaps.10-11 Biographical Sketch due II. Is Biology Destiny? Society Marks Differences Oct. 15 Contributions of Science to Violence Against Women-- Sociobiology, Medicine, etc. Draft list of issues and solutions. R.Hubbard in F&S, "Science, Facts, and Feminism" J.Zita in F&S, "The Premenstrual Syndrome" X: data on caesarian deliveries Opt: Keller in F&S, " The Gender/Science System" Oct. 22 Gould, Chaps.1,2,3 Harding in F&S, "The Method Question" Societal Attitudes paper due Oct. 29 Gould, Chaps.4,5,7 J.Genova in F&S, "Women and the Mismeasure of Thought" Nov. 5 Bleier, Chaps.1,2,3 Nov. 12 Bleier, Chaps.4,5,6 X: on biological determinist claims about homosexuality Nov. 19 Bleier, Chaps.7,8 Dec. 3 Even Cell and Molecular Biology-- Biology and Gender Study Group in F&S, "Importance of Feminist Critique for Contemporary Cell Biology" X: E.Martin, on egg and sperm X: B.Spanier, on molecular biology Dec. 10 Mapping Strategies for Better Science and Better Society-- R.Ginzberg in F&S, "Uncovering Gynocentric Science" H.Longino in F&S, "Can There Be a Feminist Science?" *************************** COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Wss 401K: Essay on Science/Math and Me. Due Sept.10. 10% Biographical Sketch of the Life and Work of a Scientist Who Is a White Woman or a Man or Woman of Color. Due Oct.8. 20% Societal Attitudes Towards Science/Technology and Gender/Race/Class/Sexuality. Due Oct.22. 20% Class participation. 20% Final exam, take-home. Due Dec.17. 30% This is a Writing Intensive course, so I will provide suggestions for improving your written assignments. You are encouraged to rewrite them; papers graded B- and below must be resubmitted. **** Wss 501 and GLS 600: Essay on Science/Math and Me. Due Sept.10. 10% Class participation, including facilitation of class discussion based on questions written by graduate students each week. Weekly: 2 or 3 questions for discussion pertaining to the week's reading, handed in on a 4 x 6 card. 20% Biographical Sketch of the Life and Work of a Scientist Who Is a White Woman or a Man or Woman of Color. Due Oct.8. 20% Societal Attitudes Towards Science/Technology and Gender/Race/Class/Sexuality. Due Oct.22. 20% Paper on an approved topic. Due Dec.17. 30% ***** Essay on Science/Math and Me. What is your relationship to science and math? How has it changed in your life? What was your image of a scientist when you were in grade school? How does it differ from your image of a scientist now? What has shaped your attitudes toward science and math? Be as specific as possible about your past and current sense of yourself in relation to science and math, and what has influenced that sense. 4-6 double-spaced, typed pages. Due Sept.10. Biographical Sketch of a Scientist. Choose a white woman or a woman or man of color whose life and/or work interests you. Citing at least two sources, provide a sketch of his or her life and work in science. Include why you chose this person and what else you would like to know about them. Sources suggested: Rossiter and her sources, Manning, Sage issue, Alic, American Men and Women of Science, Ivan Van Sertima's Blacks in Science. 4-6 double-spaced pages. Due Oct.8. Societal Attitudes Towards Science/Technology and Gender/Race/Class/ Sexuality. Analyze a portion of a textbook, media reports, magazines, science buildings, movies, etc., for embedded values and ideologies. 4-6 double-spaced pages. Due Oct.22. Paper for 501 and 600: Paper topic is due Oct.22 and is subject to approval of instructor. Examples of topics: individual scientists, historical issues, critiques of relevant materials, health issues, technology issues, math as a critical filter, "alternative" science, etc. You may submit draft for review and feedback.