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Courses of Interest - Autumn 2008
These "Courses of Interest" are classes that sound interesting to us, and will most likely be an excellent addition to your schedule if you're trying to figure out what to take. None of these are Honors courses themselves, but they may be applicable towards the College Honors Core requirements through the Ad Hoc method. However, you must first get approval from an Honors adviser and the course instructor if you would like to take any of these courses as ad hoc (see an Honors adviser if you have questions about this). And don't forget about the Honors Program Electives Handbook.
Autumn 2008
Biofutures
CHID 250
SLN 11805 A
MW 3:30-5:20, and Friday sections
Instructor: Phillip Thurtle
thurtle@u.washington.edu
This class explores key legal, ethical, cultural, scientific, and commercial aspects of the rapidly changing world of biotechnology and bioinformatics. It specifically asks how new discoveries in biology encourage us to rethink issues of ownership, communication, geography, identity, and artistic practice. The class will be structured around six specific case studies that students will use to understand underlying issues. Come find out about the often exhilarating and frequently frightening scenarios for the future of your body.
Students will be specifically encouraged to ask the following questions:
What are the ethical and legal issues involved in patenting human cell lines?
How are recent biotechnologies portrayed in science fiction films? What can we learn by studying these portrays?
What does it mean to suggest that biotechnology is part of "an information society"?
How are race, class, gender, and disability mapped onto or intersect with biomedicine?
How are artists using live organisms in their art work? What can we learn about art, ethics, and scientific practice by studying this work?
How do scientists manipulate space and time in the laboratory?
This class is designed to appeal to all. No prerequisites needed!
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 18, 2008