IMAGINING SCIENCE
English 404-06, Spring 2008 (CRN 59058)
Admin 336 / Thursdays 6-8:20 p.m.
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jgw/Imagining%20Science.htm
Course Description
“Imagining Science” investigates the aesthetic qualities of writing about
science, examining modes of expression developed by both scientists and
non-scientists to help non-specialists understand scientific issues and
methods. Although the course readings span almost two centuries, the goal is
not to deliver an inclusive chronological overview of scientific writing. It is
rather to spotlight several important texts that have become benchmarks in
public thinking about science and to examine contemporary examples of excellent
science writing.
Texts
I have ordered the following books for purchase at the University
Bookstore. However, you’re welcome to find them wherever and in whatever form
you wish. There are additional readings, to be provided either online or as
handouts.
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (Penguin; 0141439475)
Charles Darwin, Darwin (ed. Philip Appleman) (Norton; 0393958493)
Henry David Thoreau, Walden (Yale UP; 0300110081)
Paul Farmer, Pathologies of Power: Health Human Rights, and the New War on
the Poor (U California P; 0520243269)
Stephen Asma, Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of
Natural History Museums (Oxford; 0195163362)
Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma (Penguin; 0143038583)
Elizabeth Kolbert, Field Notes from a Catastrophe (Bloomsbury;
1596911301)
E.O. Wilson, The Creation (Norton; 0393330486)
Richard Powers, The Echo Maker (Picador; 0312426437)
Requirements
1) An electronic journal recording responses to class readings, to be
submitted as an e-mail attachment three times during the semester (January
28, February 25, April 7). Minimum expectation for each time submitted:
1000 words. You don’t have to write about every single piece we read, but most
should be noted. Your notes could take the form of a continuation of class
discussion on a particular subject, but I’m also interested in your
pre-discussion reactions. Pay attention to the qualities of the writing as much
as to the subject.
2) A New York journal describing your experience with at least two sights that
you visit on your own. No length expectation. Hard copy due in class March
20.
3) An essay in which you describe some scientific issue using the techniques
observed in class readings. Absolute limit of five double-spaced pages. You’ll
also present your work to the class during one of the last two meetings—either
April 24 or May 1. Essay due May 5 by 5 p.m.
4) Prepared attendance at all scheduled class meetings, unless there’s a
medical or family emergency. (Prepared = having read assigned materials.)
Grading
I expect that everyone will get an A or a B for the course. You could lose
one of these grades by not performing the required work or by doing it in a
substandard way. If I see the latter happening, I’ll alert you. I’m hoping
that these assignments will stimulate your creative energies (which you all
possess in large measure).
Getting in touch with me
Office: Phinney 404. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1:30-3, or by appointment.
Phones: 885-4348 (office); 882-1038 (home); 596-0381 (mobile)
E-mail:
jgw@uidaho.edu
Tentative Rough Reading Schedule (LAST UPDATE: 16 FEBRUARY)
JAN 10: BEGINNINGS. Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; Lewis Thomas, “On the Uncertainty of Science” (in Appleman, ed., Darwin, 304-08); David Berreby, “A Bird’s Life” (online); Atul Gawande, “The Checklist” (online).
JAN 17: DARWIN. The Origin of Species (95-174); The Descent of Man (175-77; 222-54); Andrew Carnegie, “The Gospel of Wealth” (396-98); Elizabeth Cady Stanton, “The Woman’s Bible” (426); Richard Dawkins, “The Argument from Personal Incredulity” from The Blind Watchmaker (577-80).
JAN 24: THOREAU, EAKINS. Walden, Chapters 2
("Where I Lived..."), 7 ("Bean Field"), 11 ("Higher Laws"),
12 ("Brute Neighbors"), 17 ("Spring"). (Read the whole book if you have time.) Thomas Eakins, “The
Gross Clinic” (1875); read online materials.
FIRST READING JOURNALS DUE MONDAY,
JANUARY 28
JAN 31: No class. Read Andrea Barrett, “Birds with No Feet” from
Ship Fever, and Thoreau's "Wild Fruits" (handouts)
FEB 7. DISEASE. Michael Finkel, “Bedlam in the Blood: Malaria”: Paul Farmer, Pathologies of Power: Health Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor; Priscilla Wald, excerpts from Contagious: Cultures, Carriers, and the Outbreak Narrative. Mike Finkel visits class (remember his reading the night before, 7:30, TLC 040).
FEB 14. DISEASE CONTINUED. Rodney Frey, “‘If all these great stories were told, great stories will come!’ - Head Knowledge and Heart Knowledge”; continue Farmer; revisit Gawande.
FEB 21. THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM. Stephen Asma,
Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads: The Culture and Evolution of Natural History
Museums, Chs 1-2; Donna Haraway, “Teddy Bear Patriarchy: Taxidermy in the Garden of
Eden, NYC, 1908-1936.”
SECOND READING JOURNALS DUE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25
FEB 28. NEW YORK CITY. Asma, Chs 5-6; David Zellnik, Serendib (online);
information about Elsevier (website); information about UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS
efforts. Recommend that you purchase the Michelin guide to NYC (ISBN
2067121448).
MAR 6. United #776 departs Spokane @ 6:40 a.m.; connects to United #684 departing Chicago @ 2:00 p.m.; arrives NY La Guardia @ 5:10 p.m. Lodging at Seafarers & International House, 123 E. 15th St, NY, NY 10003. 212-677-4800. http://www.sihnyc.org/ . MAR 13 return: United #687 departs La Guardia @ 4:00 p.m., connects to United #543 departing Chicago @ 8:15 p.m., arrives Spokane 10:19 p.m.
MAR 20. FOOD. Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Introduction and Section 1 (“Corn”). NEW YORK JOURNALS DUE IN CLASS (HARD COPY).
MAR 27. FOOD CONTINUED, GOD, ENVIRONMENT. Pollan, "Grass" (123-273); E.O. Wilson, The Creation.
APR 3. Class meets at 7:30 p.m. to hear Renee
Bergland (Maria Mitchell and the Sexing of Science: An
Astronomer among the American Romantics) and
Priscilla Wald (Contagious: Cultures, Carriers, and the Outbreak
Narrative);
Clearwater Room, UI Commons
THIRD READING JOURNALS DUE
MONDAY, APRIL 7
APR 10. BRAIN. Richard Powers, The Echo Maker, Parts 1 & 2
(to 178).
APR 17. MORE BRAIN. Finish Echo Maker.
APR 24. PRESENTATIONS I.
MAY 1. PRESENTATIONS II.
MAY 5. ESSAY DUE BY 5 p.m.