Chabot College
November 1995
Removed Fall 2006
Course Outline for Biology 12
SCIENCE AND CIVILIZATION
Catalog Description
12 - Science and Civilization
3 units
Interdisciplinary exploration of the ways science has shaped civilization. Evolution of humans and
domestication of plants and animals; beginnings of architecture, chemistry, mathematics;
beginnings of astronomy and past and present views of physics; genetics and evolutionary theory;
evolution of the human form. Offered in both Distance Education and on campus formats. 3 hours.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
describe the history of humans as a phenomenon in which science emerges as a natural
activity in each age, at a level appropriate to the age;
2.
explain the interrelationship of science and the humanities throughout history;
3.
discuss the influence of social and political developments on scientific discovery, and the
effect of science and technology on the course of human events;
4.
review and explain the continuing saga of human's scientific attempts to better understand
and alter the natural world;
5.
review and explain the role of science, both beneficial and detrimental, in our lives today.
Course Content:
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Anatomical and physical changes in humans through time;
Domestication of plants and animals; agriculture and beginnings of science;
Sculpture and architecture; history of the city;
Atomic theory and beginnings of chemistry;
Astronomy and evolution of mathematics;
Astronomy and the Scientific Revolution;
Newton's description of the universe; Einstein's theory of relativity;
The Industrial Revolution and politics of the 18th Century
The Theory of Evolution
History of ideas giving rise to 20th Century physics
Nuclear energy, human experiments, modern dilemmas that confront science
Mendelian genetics; the genetic code and DNA
Summary of ideas involving science and civilization
Chabot College
Course Outline for Biology 12, page 2
November 1995
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture and discussion
Media presentations
Demonstrations
Field trips
Distant Education video lessons
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
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3.
Quizzes
Midterm examinations
Final examination
Textbook(s)
The Ascent of Man by Jacob Bronowski
Special Student Materials:
None
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