General Studies (GNST) 345 - Lecture 01
Ideas, Science and Innovation
Winter 2007
L01: T, 11:00 - 12:50 T01: R, 11:00 - 11:50 T02: R, 12:00 - 12:50  

Instructor:	Dr. Steven Knudsen
Office Location:	N/A
Office Phone:	N/A
E-Mail:	ksk@ieee.org
Web Page:	http://www-mddsp.enel.ucalgary.ca/People/bruton/bruton.html
Office Hours:	N/A

Additional Information

This course employs one 110 minute weekly lecture and one 50 minute tutorial. Approximately 1/2 of the lecture will be tutorial in nature, involving student participation and group discussions. Student access to the Internet is essential.

The resource material includes selected Powerpoint lecture summaries, additional instructor notes and links to recommended web sites where students may access expert articles and audio streamed discussions.

Students will select individual essay topics from lists of topics to be provided in class.

Course Description

The course provides an overview, for nonscientists, of the central role of scientific ideas and innovations in the development of modern society.

The first part is a descriptive overview of our Universe and the processes that have shaped human existence in this place and at this time. Important modern human ideas are studied, relating to the formation and structure of our physical environment, biological and memetic evolution, entropy, complexity and self-organization.

The second part provides an historical overview of human scientific innovations, from the Stone Age through to modern times, with emphasis on key individual scientists whose ideas have transformed human existence. Typical societal responses to major innovations are described and the characteristics of successful innovators are considered.

The third part describes current and emerging innovations in science and engineering, including innovations in genetic engineering, information technologies and ecological sciences. Important societal and cultural issues are identified.

Objectives of the Course

To provide non-scientists with a broad understanding of

· The nature of our physical environment

· The historical and current roles of science in society

· Emerging related scientific, social, cultural and ethical issues

The knowledge acquired in this course is designed to prepare non-scientists for an increasingly science-driven society.

Textbooks and Readings:

The PowerPoint course notes provide an outline of the lectures and a sufficient set of links to Internet sites at which further in-depth reading is recommended. There is no mandatory textbook for this course. The following textbooks provide excellent background reading and preparation for the course but are not required.

If you plan to buy a comprehensive textbook for this course, the following book is recommended:

'The Ascent of Science', by B. L. Silver, Oxford University Press, 1998 (approx. $ 28)

Other highly readable textbooks that pursue important general topics are as follows:

'The Age of Science, What Scientists Learned in the 20th Century', G. Piel, Basic Books, 2001 (approx. $ 60)

'The Meme Machine', by Blackmore,S.J. 1999 Oxford, Oxford University Press. Hardback ISBN 0-19-850365-2. 2000 Paperback ISBN 0-19-286212-X

'The Lucifer Principle. A Scientific Expedition Into The Forces of History' by H. Bloom, Atlantic Monthly Press, 1995

More specialized recommended reading is as follows:

'The Selfish Gene', R. Dawkins, Oxford University Press, 1989 (approx. $ 21 in paperback):

'The Universe In A Nutshell', by Stephen Hawking, Bantam, 2001

'At Home In The Universe', S. Kaufman, Viking, 1995 (approx. $ 50)

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor or teaching assistant(s) via email. Contact information will be provided on the course website and in class. There will be no assignment drop-box for this course.

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Course work and marks are as follows.

Two Term Essays 20% each: Two essays will be assigned during the course and will involve a choice of topics. The first essay is due on February 13th, 2007, and the second essay on March 13th, 2007.

Mid-Term Examination 20%: The mid-term examination will assess understanding of the concepts that have been covered in class up to and will be held at the normal tutorial time on March 1st, 2007.

The Final Essay 35%: The third and final essay is due on April 10th, 2007 and will be assigned from a choice of topics.

Participation 5%: Marks available for the level and quality of individual in-class participation during the weekly tutorials and during other class discussion times.

There will not be a Registrar-scheduled Final Examination.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Essays submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented, including proper references to literature and media including the Internet.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Instructor's Statement: It is expected that students will demonstrate their ability to write lucid essays that address the assigned topic. In grading the essays, attention will be given to organization as well as content. Correct grammar and spelling are important, as well as overall organization, logic, clarity and conciseness. Particular care must be taken to properly reference and interpret source material.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

All recommended resources will be available at the Course web site.

Additional material, if any, will be handed out in class.